Nurse Tips

Operating room technique

All nurses have a general operating room technique whether you are a scrub nurse, theatre nurse or a circulating nurse. A scrub nurse scrubs into surgery, is positioned near the surgeon and hands needed instruments and surgical supplies during the procedure to the surgeon. This is a very important position during a surgery. The scrub nurse must work well with the surgeon and other operating staff and assist the surgeon in keeping the flow and rhythm of the procedure. A circulating nurse ensures that the surgical room, equipment and supplies and prepared, ready and available to the surgical staff. The circulating nurse is also responsible to represent the patient whom is unable to speak for him/herself if anything were to go in a manner that is not optimum for the patient. This position is also a very important position. Without a circulating nurse, the surgical staff may run out of supplies, have an equipment failure, and use unsterilized instruments or other such situations. The circulating nurse is a little like a musical composer, they ensure things go as best as possible and the staff have everything they need to be successful. The theatre nurse is very well educated, trained and experience and is prepared to take the position and role of either the surgical or circulating nurse. This nurse is very versatile and may be placed in either position needing filled. To find free career advice on which nurse you would like to be, contact your local college for a free career placement assessment.

Building a Trusting Nurse-Patient Relationship

The key to building a trusting nurse-patient relationship is based upon communication. The patient must see the nurse as someone that he or she can open up to with their concerns, and not feel judged. If the nurse portrays an uncaring or humorless demeanor, the patient may feel put off. Frequently, the patient is under stress and by encountering a nurse who seems distant and uncaring can exacerbate their stress level. When first meeting the patient, the nurse should make sure to make eye contact and smile, while reaching out a hand to offer a warm handshake. By doing so, the patient will feel more inclined to discuss their feelings. In addition, the nurses's response to the patient's concerns should never be condescending, nor should the patient be made to feel "talked down to." Nurses should address the patient's concerns as soon as possible. For example, if in a hospital setting, and the patient calls for the nurse, the nurse should respond as quickly as possible. This will build upon the trusting relationship, as the patient will be aware of the responsiveness of the nurse. Also, the nurse should never hesitate to tell the patient that whatever they discuss, will be kept in strict confidence. By instilling trust and confidence, the nurse is able to reduce patient anxiety and create a more pleasant environment for both patient and caregiver, as this plays a significant role in the health of the patient.

Time management in nursing

General nursing information is given within the explanation of your nursing classes as you begin your studies. Within this information you will find that you will need to learn time management skills to keep your stress levels down and your patient care up. Learning time management in nursing can sometimes seem a bit overwhelming. But if you successfully complete the applicable skills you will be able to control some of the situations you are presented with in your busy work schedule. You may arrive to work to find someone has called in sick or injured (which happens) and all of a sudden you feel overwhelmed with stress because you don’t have the staff assistance you feel you need to give the best possible care to your patience. With nursing time management skills you will be able to manage the care of all your patience without getting so stressed that you make a mistake. And let’s face it, mistakes happen but one really serious mistake can cost a life or serious injury and that is not what you got into nursing for. To better prepare for the unexpected, learning time management for nursing is a very important skill to have. And with the proper time management skills and training you may also be looking for career advancement, raises and you will definitely receive the recognition from your co-workers that you worked so hard and show great skill and control. You will be so glad you went the extra distance to obtain such a high standard of care for your patience and show such pride, care and abilities to others.

NPAs

NPAs or nurse practice acts are state and federal rules, laws and guidelines for all registered nurses. When a nurse becomes a registered nurse he/she is bound by the state and federal laws within the states for which he/she practices. These rules, laws and guide lines are for the protection of the nurse as well as the patient. They are in place to for all registered nurses to follow and they follow acceptable and required guidelines to ensure the safety, treatment and care of all patients. You can check the NPAs web site to verify that your registered nurse is truly registered, licensed and is in good standing with the nurse practice acts and that there are no current or pending complaints against your registered nurse. This may give a patient the ease of mind that their care and aftercare is in good hands. General nursing information can also be obtained through the NPAs web site for your state. This may help guide you as to whether or not you want to take this step, the requirements and responsibilities as a registered nurse in your area. You may also want to check your physician or surgeon to ensure that he/she is also in good standing with the medical practice acts and your state medical board. If there are any complaints or reprimands you may be able to locate and read on each situation. The NPAs and MPAs are great places to start to obtain information for both patient and students. Once you have decided that nursing may be right for you, set an appointment with your local nursing or state college offering the necessary classes and scheduling.

Go With the Flow

Nursing is never easy, especially when you work in an area like the emergency room, or a nursing home where death and dying are always knocking at the door. This is why nurse humor is so important to the job. No matter what that day has in store for you, learn to laugh it off. Building a good nurse/patient relationship with the people that you work with can make it all the more easy.

Accumulate humorous stories. Take in anything that you can laugh at. Did someone tell a funny joke that made you laugh? Perhaps one of the elderly people you work with wandered around all day with toilet paper on their shoe. Whatever happens, take it all with a grain of salt and learn to go with the flow. Nurse jokes are all over the internet, try to find a site that offers many of them and start each shift with a joke to carry you through. Tell it to everyone so they can share in your laughter. Little things like these will make the day go by all the more quicker.