8 Things to Learn to be a Better Staffnurse
8 Things to Learn to be a Better Staffnurse
by: Arlene Gentallan
Your job as a staffnurse may not be easy. It can be stressful and demanding. But it's a rewarding and fulfilling job.
Continuous learning benefits not only yourself but your patients as well. Here are the things you can learn to be better at what you do:
# 1. PRIORITIZATION & TIME-MANAGEMENT
A usual nurse's shift lasts 8 hours. Compiling all you have to do as a staffnurse demands time-management. Rendering patient care, taking vital signs, preparing and giving medications, making appropriate referrals, documenting on the patient's chart...the list go on. With so many responsibilities a staffnurse has to squeeze in that 8 hours, every single minute counts so you can't afford to waste any. Know your priorities and do the most important thing first.
# 2. FLEXIBILITY
Nurses handles patients across the lifespan, with varying conditions, personalities and culture. The flexibility to handle different patients is one of the most valuable skills that can be developed. It's important to know what your patient's culture is and respect them.
# 3. SKILL TRAINING
Skill, as opposed to knowledge, is something you build through experience. There are things you just don't get out of a book. These are stuffs which real life teaches you. Don't get frustrated too soon, practice requires patience and determination. A sound knowledge and understanding will guide you through it.
Learning never stops. Upgrade your skill. Attend seminars and trainings, accept new duties and responsibilities...continuously improve yourself.
# 4. KNOWLEDGE - FOR A SOLID FOUNDATION
Those information you've acquired while studying nursing is your foundation. These are what you will use in your journey through masterning the profession. Knowledge will guide your decisions especially when you haven't yet fully mastered your nursing skills.
# 5. LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES
Mistakes can be fatal. It happens but make it a point that it will never happen again. When you've done something wrong, allot a time to think it through. What have you done wrong? What could you have done to prevent it? What can you do to make sure it will not happen again?
# 6. STRESS MANAGEMENT
Working as a staffnurse puts high demands on you. It's one of the most stressful jobs in the world. You'll have to learn to deal with your job and the people you go about in order to survive and thrive in this field.
# 7. ASSESSMENT
A thorough assessment will guide you in providing quality patient care. Read the patient's chart, observe, and interview the patient.
# 8. VERIFICATION
When in doubt, don't hesitate to verify. This will prevent an error. Nursing seldom has a place for mistakes since we are dealing with lives. Don't be afraid to ask.
by: Arlene Gentallan
Your job as a staffnurse may not be easy. It can be stressful and demanding. But it's a rewarding and fulfilling job.
Continuous learning benefits not only yourself but your patients as well. Here are the things you can learn to be better at what you do:
# 1. PRIORITIZATION & TIME-MANAGEMENT
A usual nurse's shift lasts 8 hours. Compiling all you have to do as a staffnurse demands time-management. Rendering patient care, taking vital signs, preparing and giving medications, making appropriate referrals, documenting on the patient's chart...the list go on. With so many responsibilities a staffnurse has to squeeze in that 8 hours, every single minute counts so you can't afford to waste any. Know your priorities and do the most important thing first.
# 2. FLEXIBILITY
Nurses handles patients across the lifespan, with varying conditions, personalities and culture. The flexibility to handle different patients is one of the most valuable skills that can be developed. It's important to know what your patient's culture is and respect them.
# 3. SKILL TRAINING
Skill, as opposed to knowledge, is something you build through experience. There are things you just don't get out of a book. These are stuffs which real life teaches you. Don't get frustrated too soon, practice requires patience and determination. A sound knowledge and understanding will guide you through it.
Learning never stops. Upgrade your skill. Attend seminars and trainings, accept new duties and responsibilities...continuously improve yourself.
# 4. KNOWLEDGE - FOR A SOLID FOUNDATION
Those information you've acquired while studying nursing is your foundation. These are what you will use in your journey through masterning the profession. Knowledge will guide your decisions especially when you haven't yet fully mastered your nursing skills.
# 5. LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES
Mistakes can be fatal. It happens but make it a point that it will never happen again. When you've done something wrong, allot a time to think it through. What have you done wrong? What could you have done to prevent it? What can you do to make sure it will not happen again?
# 6. STRESS MANAGEMENT
Working as a staffnurse puts high demands on you. It's one of the most stressful jobs in the world. You'll have to learn to deal with your job and the people you go about in order to survive and thrive in this field.
# 7. ASSESSMENT
A thorough assessment will guide you in providing quality patient care. Read the patient's chart, observe, and interview the patient.
# 8. VERIFICATION
When in doubt, don't hesitate to verify. This will prevent an error. Nursing seldom has a place for mistakes since we are dealing with lives. Don't be afraid to ask.
