Eleven Areas Vital To Surviving The Realities Of Nursing

1). If you have not attained confidence, you must find it. Confidence in your own nursing skills as well as confidence in your own nursing skin.

2). Developing the art of multitasking care for multiple patients, in the event that a more serious situation develops or has the potential of developing.

3). Having a backbone. A backbone is vital. Nurses need a strong backbone supported by knowledge and the ability to safely and effectively put that knowledge to work as it relates to the practice of nursing.

4). Courage in the face of probable defeat in nursing is vital. Courage is like an elder sibling to confidence.

5). Legally appropriate documentation of care. This will assure your defense, in the potential ugly face of adversity, regarding the delivery of your nursing skills and your integrity being potentially questioned in any given situation.

6). Defensive writing techniques are an asset. These techniques should be supported by your knowledge base regarding ethical and moral issues. Defensive writing techniques will be an asset for you in the event of prejudice or bias against you in an alternate turn of events. Defensive writing techniques will help prevent verbal altercations in the setting of the workplace.

7). There are many situations that exist in the reality of nursing that may present as a battle, so to speak. You, as a professional nurse, must be able to pick and choose the right battle to fight. All battles are not to be fought. Minimize adversity as often as you can by demonstrating how professional you are.

8). Communicate with all members of the interdisciplinary team, patients, and families effectively. Effective communication provides for promising outcomes regarding patient care and client satisfaction during day to day issues or during the more stressful ones.

9). Beware of CLICKS. Be weary of association with groups formed amongst your peers in nursing that focus on pessimistic views, prejudice or bias against other peers, and or against administration.

10). Value good advice from veteran nurses in your area of expertise. Be open to new information and procedure changes within the ever changing field of nursing.

11). Always seek something positive no matter how negative a situation is.

Remember, you control your own reality in nursing.