Are you a student nurse starting your first practical experience in your nursing career? If so, congratulations! You’re embarking on an amazing journey that will test your knowledge and skills like never before.
There are some things you need to know to make your transition from studying in nursing school to actually working as a registered nurse as smooth as possible and start making a difference in the lives of your patients. Let’s talk about five things every nursing student needs to know.
1. Know the basics of nursing – what we do, how we help patients, and our different roles and responsibilities
As a new student nurse, you may be wondering what you’ll be actually doing on the job and how you’ll help patients. Obviously, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Our role varies depending on the specific context in which we work. However, there are some basics that all nurses share.
First, we are responsible for providing direct care to patients. This can involve everything from administering medication to monitoring vital signs. Nurses also play an important role in educating patients and their families about their health conditions. We may also provide support and guidance as they navigate the often complex healthcare system. Ultimately, we aim to promote our patients’ health and well-being.
2. In caring for patients, start with providing their basic needs.
Student nurses are often assigned to patients who need help with their basic needs such as food and water. You may also be responsible for administering medication and treatments. I have found that the best way to care for patients is first to provide them with the necessities.
This includes ensuring they have food and water and providing them with any medication they may need. Once their basic needs are met, you’ll be able to focus on providing them with more specialized care.
And remember, always talk to patients and get to know them as people, rather than just treating them as medical conditions. I believe this personal touch is essential in providing the best possible care for patients.
3. In a crisis situation, it is important to remain calm and take action quickly.
When things go wrong, it’s easy to panic. But panicking will only make the situation worse and prevent you from thinking clearly. Instead, take a deep breath and assess the situation. If there is an immediate danger, take steps to safety. If not, consider your options and choose the course of action that is most likely to resolve the problem.
Taking decisive action swiftly can help to minimize the damage in a crisis situation. If you are unsure of what to do, ask a colleague or call for help while keeping in mind that every minute counts.
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4. You’ll be handling difficult conversations with patients and their families like discussing death or end-of-life care
One of the most challenging aspects of the job is discussing death or end-of-life care with patients and their families. This can be an incredibly emotional so make sure that conversations are done with sensitivity and compassion. Listen more than you talk, and allow the family members to express their concerns and questions. Try to be clear and concise when answering their questions and provide them with resources if they need more information.
5. It’s important to stay organized and efficient during your shift
There are always new tasks to be completed and new patients to be seen, so it’s important to stay on top of everything.
Organization is key to maintaining efficiency during a shift. One way to stay organized is to keep a list of tasks for the day and check them off as you go. This will help you keep track of what needs to be done and ensure that nothing gets forgotten.
As a student nurse, these are a few things that you need to know to become successful nurses in the future. If you have any questions or need more advice, please don’t hesitate to comment below. Good luck, future nurses!