Hailey Tran
Being a hospital nurse is a challenging but rewarding career. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, providing direct care and acting as advocates for patients and their loved ones. Nurses must be intelligent, compassionate, empathetic, careful, attentive, and responsible. They must also be able to adapt to new technologies and procedures and work well with their colleagues. Starting a career as a nurse can be stressful, and burnout is a common issue. This paragraph will discuss some tips for becoming a better hospital nurse and provide an overview of the nursing profession.
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What You'll Learn
Prioritise self-care and recognise signs of burnout
Being a good nurse involves taking care of others and prioritising their comfort and safety. However, it is equally important to prioritise self-care and recognise signs of burnout.
Burnout is detrimental to your health and success as a nurse, and it can directly affect your intentions and performance. As a nurse, you may frequently be exposed to new germs and fall sick, eating up your sick days. You may also experience stress, anxiety, and fatigue, and struggle with sleep. It is important to recognise these signs and take steps to address them.
Firstly, understand that it is normal to struggle and feel discouraged, frustrated, or unsure of your skills and knowledge, especially when starting your nursing career. Allow yourself time to adjust to new roles and environments and grow into your expertise. Take breaks and use them to recharge and practice self-care. Eat, hydrate, or relax during your breaks, and don't refuse them.
Secondly, learn to say "no" and schedule time for yourself to combat stress and fatigue. Ask for support from your family, roommates, and friends to respect your schedule and not interrupt your sleep and downtime unless necessary.
Thirdly, build positive professional relationships with your colleagues. Take time to get to know your coworkers, join them in activities outside of work, and find people you can rely on for advice and help. This will make your workday more enjoyable and help you navigate challenges.
Finally, be inquisitive and ask questions. Ask for advice or assistance from your colleagues, especially when learning new technologies or procedures. Remember that nursing is a team effort, and your questions can help improve patient care and outcomes.
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Stay up-to-date with evolving technology
Technology is an integral part of healthcare, and it is constantly evolving. To be a better hospital nurse, it is important to stay up-to-date with these advancements and adapt to the changes they bring to the nursing profession.
Electronic Health Records (EHR), for example, are increasingly being adopted by healthcare organizations, replacing traditional paper filing methods. Nurses need to be able to navigate digital systems to record patient information accurately. Additionally, automated IV pumps are becoming more common in hospitals, allowing nurses to control dosage and fluid delivery rates through in-built interfaces. This technology improves patient safety and frees up time for nurses to focus on other tasks.
Wearable devices and mobile apps are also enhancing telehealth nursing, and smart beds can now track a patient's movement, weight, and vital signs, increasing safety and comfort. As a nurse, familiarizing yourself with these technologies and recognizing their benefits is essential.
To stay current with evolving technology, seek out training opportunities and practice using new systems. Don't be afraid to ask for help from colleagues who may be more familiar with the technology. Nursing is a team effort, and your coworkers can be a valuable resource for improving your technological skills.
While technology is important, it's also crucial to maintain a work-life balance and prioritize self-care. Long shifts and little downtime can lead to burnout, which can impact your performance and intention to provide quality care. Make time for yourself, set boundaries, and practice saying "no" when necessary to protect your mental health and well-being.
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Foster positive professional relationships
Being a good nurse involves a lot of hard work, dedication, and collaboration with colleagues. Building positive professional relationships with your colleagues is essential, as people's lives may depend on your collaboration with fellow nurses, doctors, and other hospital staff members. Here are some ways to foster positive professional relationships:
Take the time to get to know your coworkers
Introduce yourself to your colleagues and get to know them. This will help you feel more comfortable with your unit and make it easier to collaborate with them. Most people will be happy to take a few minutes to receive your introduction and may even offer to help you, especially if you are new.
Join work colleagues in activities outside of work
Consider joining your colleagues in activities outside of work. This will help you build stronger relationships with them and make it easier to collaborate and ask for help when needed.
Find people you can rely on at work
Identify people in your work community whom you can go to for advice or help. Establishing good relationships with reliable colleagues will make your workday more enjoyable and help you become a better nurse.
Be open to asking and answering questions
Asking questions is a sign of curiosity and a desire to improve, not a sign of weakness or a lack of expertise. Be open to asking questions when you need clarification or further information, and be willing to answer questions from others as well. This will create a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
Maintain effective communication
Communication is one of the most fundamental nursing skills. Effective communication with patients, their families, and other caregivers is essential for building trust, ensuring accurate information, and improving patient satisfaction. Actively listen to patients, encourage them to share their concerns, and involve them in decision-making.
Stay up to date with technology
Technology is constantly evolving in healthcare, and it's important to keep up with the latest advancements. Familiarize yourself with electronic health records, automated IV pumps, portable monitors, and wearable devices. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your colleagues if you need assistance with new technology.
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Be resourceful, innovative, and collaborative
Being resourceful, innovative, and collaborative is a vital aspect of providing quality patient care and becoming a better hospital nurse. Here are some ways to cultivate these attributes:
Be Resourceful
Resourcefulness is a valuable trait for nurses as it enables them to navigate challenges and find solutions. While nursing school provides a foundation, real-life nursing is different, and it's okay to allow yourself time to learn and grow. Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek clarification when needed. Take advantage of technological advancements in healthcare, such as Electronic Health Records, automated IV pumps, portable monitors, and wearable devices. Stay curious and adaptable to new protocols, intervention methods, and technologies.
Be Innovative
Innovation in nursing involves thinking creatively about patient care and finding ways to improve patient satisfaction, safety, and health outcomes. This may include empowering patients by involving them in decision-making, providing evidence-based information, and coordinating their ongoing care. Nurses can also be innovative by staying up-to-date with medical literature, research studies, and clinical guidelines, and using this knowledge to formulate treatment plans in collaboration with colleagues.
Be Collaborative
Collaboration is essential in nursing, as people's lives depend on effective teamwork among nurses, doctors, and other hospital staff. Take time to get to know your colleagues, build positive professional relationships, and establish a good support system within your work community. Open and honest communication with patients, their families, and caregivers is also key to successful collaboration. Encourage patients to share their concerns, respect their opinions, and actively listen to their needs and cultural values to develop holistic treatment plans.
By embracing resourcefulness, innovation, and collaboration, nurses can enhance the quality of patient care, improve outcomes, and ultimately become better hospital nurses.
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Take precautions to protect yourself from hospital germs
Working in a hospital means frequent exposure to new germs, which can make you sick. Here are some tips to protect yourself from hospital germs:
Firstly, if you admit a patient who is coughing or looks unwell, put on a mask and gloves as a precaution before isolation precautions are ordered. This simple step can act as an effective barrier to germs. It is also good practice to clean your high-touch areas and objects with an antibacterial wipe, such as a chlorhexidine wipe. Items such as your stethoscope, ID badge, pen, and keyboard should be regularly wiped down. You could also wipe down surfaces in the patient's room, such as the doorknob.
If your hospital has shower facilities for nurses, consider using them before heading home. This can help prevent germs from spreading outside of the hospital environment.
Additionally, it is important to stay up to date with infection control protocols and be vigilant about following them. This includes practising good hand hygiene, such as regularly washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Another way to protect yourself from hospital germs is to improve your nursing technology skills. Technology is evolving, and nursing is adapting to incorporate new innovations. Familiarise yourself with electronic health records, automated IV pumps, portable monitors, and wearable devices. These technologies can help streamline procedures and reduce the risk of errors, giving you more time to focus on patient care.
Finally, get to know your colleagues and build positive professional relationships. Nursing is a team effort, and you may need to rely on your coworkers for advice or assistance. Open communication with your colleagues can help ensure that you are all following the best practices to protect yourselves and your patients from hospital germs.
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Frequently asked questions
Recognise the signs of burnout and take steps to prevent it. Focus on your work-life balance, be inquisitive, and embrace new technologies in the field.
Ensure patient safety by following protocols and identifying risks. Be innovative and collaborative with your healthcare team. Offer emotional support and empathy to patients, and involve them in decision-making.
Stay up-to-date with medical literature, research, and clinical guidelines. Familiarise yourself with hospital policies and procedures, and don't be afraid to ask questions or seek a second opinion.
Take time to introduce yourself and get to know your coworkers. Building positive professional relationships is essential, as their support and collaboration can improve patient care and make your workday more enjoyable.
Allow yourself time to learn and grow into your role. Nursing school provides a foundation, but real-life nursing is different, so embrace challenges with curiosity and excitement. Prioritise self-care and be flexible to adapt to the dynamic nature of the job.
