Nurses are the cornerstone of a successful healthcare enterprise. The work you do is essential in achieving positive healthcare outcomes and providing optimal care to your patients. However, before you can lend your expertise to medical professionals, you must work on yourself. A successful nurse is defined by the skills they possess.
To stand out, you need certain traits that make you better at your job. These include how you talk, approach a patient, and your attention to detail, which makes a difference in the diagnostic process. If you are eager to boost your position as a nurse, you can easily do this by channeling your energy and working on yourself. Therefore, to help you transform into an expert healthcare giver, here’s what you need to do:
In the medical sector, the degree you hold defines your career. The higher your qualifications, the more doors you open for yourself in terms of a prolific profession. You can start your career as a nurse in many ways. One is by becoming an RN and then getting the credentials you need to start your profession. To become an RN, you must pass a qualification exam that legitimizes your position as a nurse. However, this is an essential qualification and will limit your progress in your field. You may get appointed with primary tasks and responsibilities such as preparing the patient for the doctor, administering their medicine, and taking down the patient’s medical history.
However, with a bachelor’s degree, you are more equipped to perform critical care and perform with greater autonomy than an RN. Furthermore, earning a higher qualification is much easier now. Numerous virtual venues can match you with an affordable RN to BSN online and help you fast-track your career. So, if you want to hit the pinnacle of success in your field, make sure you continue getting higher educational qualifications.
According to a 2019 report by Johns Hopkins, more than 10,000 Americans die or become permanently disabled because of a wrong diagnosis. This is because the medical practitioner may have missed important details, recorded incorrect information, or delayed the treatment. As a nurse, you need to be vigilant when checking a patient. If you notice them exhibiting signs of distress or an oncoming episode, you must act immediately. Likewise, while you are providing a consultation to a patient, keep your eyes on the patient’s symptoms. If you notice subtle changes in their vitals, you must record them immediately. The information you enter in the EHR will influence the trajectory of the patient’s diagnosis, which means you cannot afford to make a mistake.
Thus, take your time examining the patient, look for physical abnormalities like bruises or signs of a bump and then ask the patient about their health. If you’re unsure about the details the patient provided, never assume what they said and always ask again. If you need more information than the one provided, pose your questions and update the chart accordingly. Studying the patient’s body language and posture can also tell if something is afoot. For instance, if a patient has physical discomfort and leans more towards their right while avoiding putting pressure on the left side of their body, they may be dealing with a wound or injury on one side of their body. While working with patients, the bottom line is to look closely at their condition and follow their ailments to make an accurate diagnosis.
As a nurse, you must know how to talk to patients and other medical practitioners to establish standard care. The way you speak, the words you use, and the terminologies you pick when communicating with your patients are essential for their diagnosis. For this reason, when speaking to a patient, make sure you use laypeople’s terms, ask your questions, and give them room to describe their ailments without interrupting them.
Understand that they may be experiencing intense pain and may be too agitated to converse coherently. Before you can proceed with a treatment, you need the patient’s consent. So don’t hide any vital information; confirm they understand the procedure and relay possible side effects. You also can’t push the patient to undergo a treatment they don’t want, and influencing them in any way is unethical.
As a nurse, you may have several tasks you must deal with in one shift. As the day progresses, you may find yourself swamped with tenfold responsibilities that you must finish immediately. This is why you can’t afford to slack or waste what little time you have to get over your workload. At the same time, you need to know how to work around your schedule and make a timetable that keeps you on track. It would help if you show up to your shift early and start tackling tasks like emails and patient charting before your shift starts.
You should list the number of jobs you need to handle in a day and start working on them according to their level of importance. If a specific duty may take longer, figure out when you should deal with it without letting it disrupt your other responsibilities. You can use a reminder application and time yourself as you do your work; this helps you remember all the tasks you need to do without forgetting an important one.
Final Thoughts
Being a nurse is hard work; you need to stay on top of your field and ensure that as you progress, you get better at your job. However, to make a lasting impression, there are many hurdles that you need to cross. These include ensuring you have the relevant educational qualifications and advancing up the hierarchical ladder. While working with patients, always pay attention to how you document your work. The process plays a significant hand in the diagnosis, and you would want to avoid causing a mishap. Other factors involve getting better at communicating and training yourself to manage your time adequately. Become a diligent worker and practice your skills to the T; soon, you will watch yourself flourish as a successful nurse.
