phil baumann - Latest Comments in 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

hallie — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:33:41 -0000

Sandy Santra's real name is Hal Smiley, Jr. http://tinypic.com/view.php...
Why did he change his name?

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

Emergiblog — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:36:30 -0000

Wow - just read this after posting my latest on my blog about feeling empty after caring for multiple manipulative patients.

Another tip I would give is to keep your work life at work and your home life at home. In other words, leave it at the hospital door.

Now all I have to do is take my own advice!

This is a great post, btw.

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

NurseExec — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:05:33 -0000

Loved this!! I did a "my take" on your list, called "11 Ways to Be a Better DON", on my blog:

www.skillednursingthing.blo...

Check it out!

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

Phil Baumann — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:08:07 -0000

Thanks to all who have added your items so far. I've gotten some great tips from you all.

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

RehabRN — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:03:06 -0000

Wonderful list. Here's a few I'd add:

1. Improve one thing you do every day. There may be a lot of things you need to do, but work on it by choosing one thing every day.

2. Leave work at work. Unload before you leave the door. Your family will appreciate it.

3. Find outlets for creativity in your work.

4. Make patients smile.

5. Be kind, especially to those in need, whether they're your patients, someone else's patients or your coworkers.

6. Take care of yourself.

7. Keep your eyes on the horizon. Look out for trouble that may be coming.

8. Say please and thank you to everyone...and mean it.

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

Keith — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:38:41 -0000

Excellent post, and I have linked directly to it over on Nurse LinkUp. It is worth having every nurse see!

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

SEB — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:50:07 -0000

1. Always act as if the patient can hear you. It doesn't matter that they are sedated, or even sedated and paralyzed, or in a coma, or whatever. Who knows how much they can hear and understand?
2. Offer to help out your colleagues. You will be repaid kindly by their support when you need it. What goes around comes around.
3. If you don't know, ask. This applies to new procedures, meds, answers to family's questions, etc. It is better to ask a question you think you know the answer to than to get it wrong.
4. Respect your colleagues--not just other nurses, but RTs, techs, secretaries, docs, PAs, etc. You get what you give.
5. Don't stretch yourself too thin. If you aren't comfortable in the ICU, change units. If you are so bored by the floor, challenge yourself & move to a more intensive unit.
6. Don't be bitter. We all know we don't get paid enough, but we stay. Stay because you love it. If you don't, explore other options.
7. Never complain without offering a solution. Even if the solution is crappy, at least you have presented a problem AND a possible solution. Nothing is more frustrating to managers than employees who complain ad nauseum about an issue but offer no suggestions to remedy it. Even if your remedy isn't feasible, or isn't likely to happen, at least there has been an idea thrown out there--which can lead to more feasible and likely solutions.
8. Never stop learning.

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

Sean — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:04:11 -0000

Darn you! I found your blog just before I was supposed to go to bed...and now I can't stop reading! You have written some truly amazing stuff!

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

Beth — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:01:36 -0000

This is great advice, and I'm in total agreement that those who enjoy bedside nursing are Jedi Knights.

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

Ken Bavier — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:06:09 -0000

1. New nurses will become what you are, for better or worse. Act accordingly.
2. You may not agree with or understand a patient's decisions, but always respect and
safeguard their right to make them. Remember, It's not about you.
3. Provide support to coworkers and they will respond in kind.
4. Try to sit when you talk with patients and families, they won't feel like you are in such
a rush (even when you are).
5. Take the time to show you value your subordinates. It's the little things that count.

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

Robert Fraser — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:58:35 -0000

Care for people! It doesn't matter if they are patients, family, hospitalilty, nurses, physicians, if you think and act as if you care for them all it will be notice, and positively impact them all.

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

Strong One — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:44:20 -0000

-Treat the patient, non the disease. That means the individual who is ill as well as the family.
-No matter how 'difficult' caring for the patient may be, remember they are someone's family member (grandma, grandpa, dad, mom, sister) Treat them like they are your own.
-Answer the family's questions as best you can. Do not let any rock go unturned.
-Greet them with a smile.
-Just because your short staffed and having a bad day, does not mean it's the patient's fault.
:)
I could go on.

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

SarahStewart — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:04:51 -0000

Ensure your patients have all the information so they can make informed choices about their care

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

Sandy Santra — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:49:58 -0000

Great stuff about caregiving. It's not a profession for me, but occasionally I do it. Thanks for your brilliant thoughts!

Re: 8 Ways to Become a Better Nurse

Caroline — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:52:48 -0000

Try not to judge your patient's pain. If they say they are having pain, treat it, and treat it accordingly. This is huge pet peeve of mine.

Don't let a report on a patient be the end all be all, especially the character issues that get brought up.

Remember, your patients are sick. Sick enough to be in the hospital. And probably scared, too. No one is at their best when they are sick and scared. Throw 'em a bone!