Full disclosure: I am a white American and this is from my perspective, written to help other white individuals looking to understand another race. I cannot claim to fully understand the black experience. Over the years, it’s been important to me to understand to the best of my ability. I’ve read, listened, and watched a […]
Patient Care
Tips for Loved Ones of Healthcare Providers on the Front-lines During COVID-19
Being the spouse of a healthcare worker can be tough. They have odd schedules, are often exposed to secondary trauma at work, and when things like the COVID-19 pandemic occur – they are going straight to the front lines to take care of those patients. Not only is there the general fear from the public […]
Communication Tips for Nurses – How to Kindly Exit Conversations
Something that I was not prepared for as a nurse was how many people would want my attention at every second of the day. Patients, families, physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, housekeeping, receptionists, pharmacists… literally everyone. Combine that with a constantly evolving task-list, dynamic patient conditions, and soon every single second counts. But you don’t want to seem rude and just walk away or ignore them. Here are some realistic communication tips for nurses on how to graciously bring a conversation to a close so you can get back to business!
Why We Freeze When a Patient Codes
I’ve heard so many people mention how they just freeze when a patient codes. Many look back with shame or embarrassment that they didn’t know what to do in an emergency… especially since they’re the nurse and should know what to do. I get it. I did that the first few times and was really […]
Discharge Planning Tips for New Nurses
Discharge planning can be a challenge for any nurse, let alone a new nurse. I’ve discharged many patients since I became a nurse in 2010 and would like to give you some discharge planning tips!
What Patient Advocacy Really Looks Like
This post has been sponsored by Campbellsville University Online. Please note: as many of you know, there was recently a rather controversial blog post about patient advocacy, written by a surgeon, which has since been deleted. Ironically enough, this sponsored post was written and scheduled before the post, response, and removal occurred. If nursing […]
How Changing Demographics Affect Nursing Practice
I personally have noted that as a nurse you run into people from tons of different cultural and socioeconomincal background. And as a nurse caring for an adult population, I’ve noted that taking care of a 42 year-old patient is quite different than taking care of an 85 year-old patient and it’s important to be aware […]
Nurses: Thankful Every Shift
It’s that time of year where everyone starts to think of things they’re thankful for and talks about them on social media. Nurses however… we are a different bunch. Every time we go into work, we are thankful. It doesn’t take the month of November to inspire this. We are not thankful for our massive […]
Medication Administration Basics for Nursing Students
One of the major things you learn in nursing school is how to give medications. I’d like to explain some nursing basic things because when I was in school, no one told me this stuff.. it was just assumed we knew all of this. So here are some basic, yet essential, things to know about […]
Noticing Subtle Neuro Changes for Nurses
Neuro changes are tough! It is really hard to know if someone is truly changing or if they’re just exhausted because we keep waking them up. Here are some of my neuro nurse tips.. Neuro nurse tips for newbies If your patient is in the intensive care unit, intubated and sedated on propofol, and you […]