What I've Learned

Well it has been one year later since I have started at current my job. From my last post you guys knew that I was leaving my first nursing job for multiple reasons. But I consider this my first "real" nursing job, since working with adults was what I always wanted to do.
I have been working on a stroke unit, which also can be a medical surgical (Med-Surg)  floor at times. My unit is the hardest unit in the hospital. This statement alone gives me the strength to go into work each morning and be able to finish my 12-14 hour shift. Nursing is not exactly what I thought it would have been, not by a long shot. But you have to remember that nursing is a ever changing field. Be open to the changes or you will have unnecessary frustrations. I have learned so much and most of those things are not even nursing related. I have cried, sweat and laughed during this last year and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.
Below are some highlights of what I learned:

• Be brave. 
• Advocate for your patients- don't be afraid to speak up to whoever it may be (in a professional manner) for the safety and well being of your patient.
• Do not let anyone interrupt your medication administration time- This time is a time to focus and to prevent any medical errors.
• Have snacks in your pocket- Low blood glucose=mistakes.
• Be there for your patients, a listening ear, a laugh, sitting quietly. 
• It's okay to cry, sometimes- Don't make it a habit.
• Be involved-Sign up for the unit based council, be a part of the ANA (American Nurses Association).
• NEVER. STOP. LEARNING.- Read journals and nursing magazines. You will be surprised what you can incorporate into your work.
• Ask for help- don't be a hero.

Hope these things help you in whatever stage of nursing you are in currently.

Talk to you in the next post,
 

What Makes A Good Scrub?

We all know that a well fitting scrub is key when working a long shift. As nurses, we want to look professional and feel good at the same time. 

Medical Discount Scrubs wanted to provide a guest post with their idea on what makes a good scrub. Click HERE to check out their website!

Hope you enjoy! 





                               Factors That Make a Good Medical Scrub Great

                Nursing is a job that requires strength, intelligence, and stamina, but most nurses are girls at heart, and enjoy fashionable nursing scrubs. A well-fitting scrub is nice, but when choosing a medical scrub there are many factors to consider that will affect how well the scrub performs on a daily basis.    

                Moisture Wicking

                Nurses do lots of physical work as part of the job description, and scrubs that become sweaty are itchy, uncomfortable, and could put any nurse in a bad mood. Many medical scrubs are made out of moisture wicking fabrics, which have technology that removes moisture from the skin, keeping the wearer dry and cool. Look for scrubs such as those found in the Natural Elements Dickies line, which are made out of a fabric that is light and moisture wicking, for ultimate comfort.

                Pockets

                No scrub is complete without a multitude of pockets for the various paraphernalia required by nurses at all times. Details such as cargo pockets with closures, pen pockets, and side vent pockets are just a few of those that are vital to nurses, but few scrubs manage to pack in enough pockets for everything. DickiesGen Flex scrubs are known as the Youtility line, offering a cargo pant that has nine pockets! When shopping for scrubs look for pockets that have reinforced stitching to prevent tears, and easily accessible pockets with closures. Also useful are bungee loops on which to hang ID cards and pockets that don’t gape, so as to prevent them from getting caught on various paraphernalia.

                Wash-Friendly

                Medical scrubs are probably the most washed and well-worn clothes in a nurse’s wardrobe – even more than jeans! It’s very important that the colors should hold up well and not fade. You also want to avoid white scrubs that become transparent. Some fabrics are better than others at stain removal; look for a scrub that has low-maintenance washing instructions and easy stain removal. Another great feature is a scrub that is wrinkle free and doesn’t need ironing. Some hospitals commercially launder their nurses’ scrubs. In such situations a scrub that isn’t durable will disintegrate from the strong chemicals used in the washing process.

                Every nurse has personal preferences when choosing a scrub, and should choose a style and fit that appeal to her. However, it’s important to keep in mind the practical aspects of what will make your nursing scrub wearable for years to come.

On to the Next One

So it is bittersweet to say that I have given in my two week notice for my first RN job. I don't know if I ever said how I truthfully felt about my job but I actually hated it. I enjoyed the actual work but the hospital itself was not making me happy. One main issue I had was the fact they didn't train the nurses in different departments but made us float to other areas with out orientation or training. I am a new grad and even though I worked in Med-Surg as a nurses aide I still don't have the experience as a Registered Nurse. I felt as though I was placed in unsafe situations and the hospital didn't care. I even bought nursing insurance through Nurses Services Organization because I didn't feel safe there. I stood up for myself while the other nurses allowed them to walk all over them. You have to remember that it is your license, you worked hard for it and no one else cares to protect it. Safety for yourself and the patients is what it came down to and I couldn't deal with it any longer. I did learn a lot during my time there and I met some great people. I had one nurse, that I would probably never forget, tell me that I am a smart and great conscientious nurse. I have met a lot of people in my life but it's the ones who encouraged me in my nursing career that I wont ever forget. So I am on the market again for a new job. Wish me luck and I will keep you all updated!

Thank you for reading!
 

Healthy

I think one of the hardest things besides staying awake on night shift is denying all the fatty and comforting food that is passed around to help us stay awake. 
As nurses, it is really easy to lose yourself in trying to care for your patients. Our long hours can be stressful and if you have families, all of your time is pretty much gone. We forget to work out, eat healthy and take care of ourselves.
Some easy ways I learned to stay on the right track is to bring your own lunch, eat healthy snacks and to work out on your days off. 
Now I cannot say that I have achieved all of this but I try my best to stay focused on my health. Because face it, if you are not healthy how are you supposed to take care of your patients and more importantly how can you teach healthy lifestyles to your patient if you can't be an example to them.

How do you try to stay healthy? Comment below!