Only a few but an important few!
Do & Don’ts when it comes to nursing, I swear it differs with each department and each nurse. So what are some of yours?
It’s 2025 & we are making our Do’s focused on our health so we can better care for our patients. Nurses, please fight for your breaks; you deserve them!!! Make sure you check the patient’s wristband often times when it’s busy in the emergency department errors can happen between patients and there are often patients that have very similar names so make sure you always check their wristband for their date of birth and their full name. not everything that the doctor says, goes! please make sure you use your nursing judgment and advocate for your patience safety.
Don’t:
be mindful of what you microwave in the break room sometimes we go into the break room to get away from all the smells in the emergency department and the smell of fish is not something we want to come into. The most frustrating thing as an ER nurse is when I am trying to give report on a busy day and the patient is there for their heart and the nurse that is receiving report asks about the patient skin. in the ER, we do a very focused assessment because we are trying to stabilize the patient!! the Q (quiet) word in the ER is completely banned because every time someone says it’s quiet in here, hell breaks loose. remember that the extra shifts are not worth your sanity so please don’t overwork yourself!
In the fast-paced world of emergency nursing, adhering to specific Do's and Don'ts is crucial for maintaining patient safety and personal well-being. Do ensure to take regular breaks and stay hydrated. These practices not only improve your performance but also help in managing stress effectively. Always double-check patient identification, as errors often occur during busy shifts. Don't overlook the impact of workplace environment. Avoid microwaving odorous foods like fish in the break room, as this can create discomfort for colleagues trying to unwind. Also, steer clear of questioning irrelevant details during patient handovers. Focused assessments are key in stabilizing patients in the ER. Lastly, avoid overworking yourself; remember that health is more important than extra hours on the clock. Together, these practices can help create a safer and more efficient working environment for both nurses and patients.
