Helpful Tips On How To Be A Good Nurse

During a normal shift, nurses manage a wide range of tasks while caring for a large number of patients. A good nurse understands how to manage and organize their various obligations while giving caring and respectful care to their patients. Nurses generally enter the profession to help others, thus you want to be a good nurse to all of your patients. In this post, we will cover why being a good nurse is important, how to be a good nurse, and how to improve or advance your nursing career.

Why is it important to be a good nurse?

Being a good nurse is important because it allows you to give your patients with the best care possible. Nurses must effectively examine, diagnose, and treat patients with a wide range of health concerns and medical illnesses. Nurses must be adept in not only technical healthcare abilities, but also in empathy for patients and their loved ones. Good nurses communicate well with patients and medical staff, ensuring that everyone is up to date on health records, procedures, and treatment plans.

Being a good nurse is also important since it allows nurses to maintain healthy behaviors. Nursing can be a difficult profession, but nurses who succeed at their craft can provide superior care for both their patients and themselves.

How to be a good nurse

Here are twelve steps to help you become a good nurse:

• Learn how to cluster your care

Clustered care in nursing refers to doing related patient care duties at the same time. For example, if your next patient requires a standard examination and vaccination, gather and prepare your blood pressure monitor, bandages, alcohol swabs, and other supplies all at once. Clustering your care allows you to fulfill your work tasks more efficiently and successfully.

• Go over your charts

At the end of each shift, review your charts to ensure that they are correct, detailed, and error-free. Maintaining accurate charts is a legal necessity in many areas, so making sure you documented everything accurately will help you keep your nursing license. Detailed and accurate charts also ensure that your patients receive the treatment they require from all of their physicians, nurses, specialized practitioners, and other medical personnel.

• Get a mentor

Some hospitals and medical facilities offer mentorship programs in which more experienced healthcare personnel guide novice professionals. Sign up for any mentorship programs offered at your company. Mentorships provide opportunities for new or growing nurses to network with other professionals, acquire new skills and insights, receive coaching, job shadow another nurse, and more.

If your company does not provide a formal mentorship program, consider seeking a mentor on your own. Look for a nurse at your job whose skills and knowledge you admire, and then learn how to be a good nurse by observing their techniques. You might also ask another nurse if they would be willing to provide coaching or advise.

• Adhere to safety protocols

Good nurses follow the safety standards taught in nursing school, such as cleaning equipment and discarding of latex gloves. These basic abilities can help keep you and your patients healthy. Your employer’s policies and procedures are likely to be precise, which you may study and strictly adhere to.

• Stay current on medical information

Keep up to date on the newest developments in nursing practices, medical treatments, and related fields. Understanding the most recent advances and discoveries in nursing and medicine will help you continue to improve your nursing skills. There are several ways to stay up to date on important nursing and healthcare information, including:

• Reading your hospital’s, unit’s or clinic’s newsletters
• Talking to your colleagues
• Attending conferences, lectures, webinars or other networking events
• Subscribing to nursing journals and email newsletters that summarize recent nursing journal publications
• Signing up for your local nursing association

Ask questions

If you have questions regarding a procedure or a patient’s treatment plan, consult a doctor or a colleague nurse. Recognize your own knowledge gaps and get comfortable asking for assistance. Ultimately, taking a little more time to do your job effectively benefits both your patients and your medical staff.

• Build your physical stamina

Many nurses spend the majority of their shift walking and standing. Nurses are also occasionally required to perform more physically demanding jobs, such as aiding with wheelchair or bed transfers, supporting patients as they move down a hallway, and restraining patients. Maintain and enhance your physical stamina so that you can spend the majority of your day on your feet and meet other physical job requirements.

• Anticipate problems ahead of time

Determine possible problems before they occur and take actions to resolve them. Proactively resolving difficulties allows you to reduce prospective complications or hazards. For example, if you see strange behavior in a patient, look for evidence that point to potential diagnosis. If you realize that inventory is running short, check to see if a teammate has bought more supplies.

• Be an advocate

Try to advocate for, or speak out in support of, your patients. Nurses represent their patients as they communicate their desires to their loved ones. Nurses may also advocate for their patients when their wishes differ with a doctor’s treatment plan or suggestions. Consider attending classes or obtaining a credential in patient or healthcare advocacy to improve your nurse advocacy abilities.

• Stay relaxed during intense situations

A profession in nursing sometimes requires dealing with stressful conditions. Try to avoid becoming overwhelmed and instead remain calm. Maintaining your composure during uncomfortable situations allows you to focus on the duties at hand and give better patient care.

• Pay attention to details

A good nurse may notice subtle changes or information about their patients, coworkers, or workplace environment. Be aware of any changes in your patients’ behaviors, habits, or symptoms. It is also necessary to monitor exact drug dosages, accurately record vital signs, and perform other activities that demand attention to detail.

• Figure out an organizational system

Nurses frequently do multiple jobs during a single shift. To help you manage all of your tasks properly and quietly, try creating an organized system for yourself, such as a daily or weekly checklist. Ask your coworkers if they have any tips for time management and being organized.

Tips for improving in a nursing career

Here are some suggestions to help you enhance or grow your nursing career:

• Obtain further education

Continuing your nursing education is an excellent method to improve or promote your nursing profession. Some nurses decide to pursue certification in specialized medical disciplines, such as geriatrics. Other nurses choose to obtain certificates for nursing skills that can be applied in a range of professions, such as health risk management.

Depending on your current nursing license, you may choose to return to nursing school and get credentials for a more advanced nursing license. For example, if you are already a Registered Nurse (RN), you can consider returning to nursing school to complete the prerequisites for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

• Find leadership responsibilities

Nurses who develop or grow in their professions frequently demonstrate initiative. Look for opportunities to demonstrate your leadership skills at your hospital or medical facility. For example, you could offer to manage a new hospital initiative or assist a physician with additional responsibilities outside your typical patient care duties.

• Cooperate with other medical professionals

Strive to strike a balance between taking the initiative and working together with your medical team. Assist doctors and fellow nurses with their obligations. If you are a more experienced nurse, you might let novice nurses know they can come to you with any questions they may have.

• Offer empathy to patients

Nurses care for patients with diverse needs, ethnic origins, and medical conditions. Good nurses can show compassion for each patient’s specific needs and condition. Patients enjoy when their doctors show empathy and take the time to listen to their concerns or symptoms.

• Be respectful to patients

Nurses sometimes assist patients in meeting their personal needs. Depending on your work environment and the people you care for, you may aid them with eating, bathing, walking, or other duties. When assisting patients with personal care items, treat them with respect and dignity.

• Find your ideal nursing environment

Nurses might choose to work in a range of medical specialties and settings. While some nurses like major hospitals, others prefer to work in a smaller specialist clinic. Nurses are needed in hospice and rehabilitation centers, schools, private practices, and government entities. Determine which style of work environment best meets your specific skills, interests, and workplace requirements.

• Practice self-care

Taking time every day to care for yourself is an important aspect of progressing in your nursing career. Even if your shifts are busy, make an effort to drink water and have a balanced dinner. When you’re not on duty, try to get enough sleep, spend time with loved ones, and participate in non-nursing activities that you enjoy.