The Nurse Converse Podcast can be found on any platform, like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Remember to rate Nurse Converse Podcast and leave a review that includes my name, “SHENELL THOMPKINS,” so you can hear more from me on Nurse.org’s Platform.
One last thing: The All One Nurse Podcast is coming in August 2024!
In healthcare settings, we only think of licensed professionals who provide care or treatment to patients. However, we must remember the importance of ancillary staff. The ancillary staff’s work supports the hospital’s main function and consists of nonlicensed personnel such as housekeepers, dietary aides, and patient care assistants. These individuals are vital in enhancing patient experience and positive patient outcomes.
Environmental Services
Housekeepers play a crucial role in cleaning and disinfecting everyday spaces utilized by staff and patients. I encourage other healthcare professionals to express gratitude toward them. Be team players in keeping personal workspaces and patient rooms free of clutter and trash. Cleanliness is essential to good health, and everyone can do their part to make each other’s job easier.
Food & Nutrition
Dietary aides are crucial in helping patients recover by delivering the nutrition they need. If you have ever listened to a Dietitian explain the importance of nutrition, you would know that protein is essential to maintaining a healthy musculoskeletal system. Without protein, patients would be unable to perform daily activities safely, which is one of the main reasons elderly patients end up in assisted living. Communicate well with dietary aides to get the patients what they need and a few requests.
Nursing Assistants
Patient care assistants play a crucial role in healthcare by helping prevent complications during hospital stays. They ensure patients receive regular oral care, are repositioned or mobilized as needed, and maintain hygiene. Patient care assistants help keep patients safe and healthy. They may not always be licensed as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), but they are very effective with on-the-job training. Providing basic hygiene care prevents hospital-acquired infections like pneumonia, pressure injuries, central line infections, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
“These roles are an extension of amazing nurses. They serve as the nurse’s eyes and hands, as the nurses serve as the eyes and hands of the physicians. By working together, we can create a safer atmosphere for the patients.”
As a bedside nurse, patients occasionally told me I wore many hats. I was willing to take on various tasks. From removing overflowing trash to handing out food trays to assisting with bed baths, it was for the benefit of the patient. Fulfilling any need was my responsibility. I never said, “This is not my job.” Every patient on my unit was my responsibility, as they were someone’s loved one or, at the very least, a human deserving of care—a child of God.
In Conclusion
It is essential to view all staff in a positive light and encourage them to continue contributing to delivering high-quality patient care. This post is not limited to the roles mentioned in this article but to anyone who assists with the functions of the hospital to provide high-quality care to its community. Empowering those who work alongside the nurses will allow nurses to concentrate on the other complex needs for safe patient care and promote better patient outcomes.
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As a common problem in the nursing field, burnout, staffing shortages, and high nurse-to-patient ratios have long plagued the industry, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s noteworthy that despite these challenges, only 26 articles on nurse burnout were published in 2019, according to PubMed. However, there has been a significant increase in articles on nurse burnout, with 122 published in 2022 alone. This issue requires continuous discussion and awareness to facilitate improvement in the nursing community.
A lot of research discusses how having a high number of patients per nurse can negatively affect patient outcomes and lead to burnout among nurses. Burnout can be a difficult cycle to break, especially as nurses deal with the constant demands of their jobs. This post aims to highlight what nurses can do on a personal level to improve their working conditions and stay committed to the nursing profession.
The nursing community can take practical steps and initiatives as we search for solutions to these challenges.
1. Self-awareness.
Self-awareness is crucial for nurses. It’s essential to know oneself and how one operates. One needs to assess if one’s personality fits one’s nursing specialty and if one likes to connect with patients on a deeper level. Nurses must know whether they bring negativity or positivity to their workspace and peers. They should know their threshold and be mindful of their stress responses and personality traits.
2. Mindfulness
Mindfulness is like a conscious willingness to connect with the environment and people around you to create a positive experience despite the circumstances. Practicing mindfulness can result in enhanced empathy, reduced anxiety and stress, and self-acceptance. It’s essential to pause and be present without judgment. This takes self-regulation and can be beneficial when struggling with heavy workloads.
3. Buy-in
Creating buy-in means becoming an advocate for change. This path may lead to developing initiatives that benefit everyone involved. Although not all ideas are accepted, creating a workplace culture of mindfulness and self-awareness can encourage others to practice effectively. A domino effect of kindness and appreciation for the job, colleagues (including physicians), and patients can spread like wildfire.
In conclusion
Change starts with the individual. It takes a change in thinking and the willingness to step up for a positive change in the workplace. Self-awareness allows one to evaluate oneself and what qualities one brings to the table. Mindfulness requires action to stop, being present without judgment, and being kind. This path may lead to being better equipped for today’s and tomorrow’s healthcare challenges. Getting involved with state and national nursing organizations is an excellent way to start making a positive change. Join the American Nurses Association | ANA (nursingworld.org). Joining ANA will include your state organization, too.
Chmielewski J, Łoś K, Łuczyński W. Mindfulness in healthcare professionals and medical education. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021 Jan 7;34(1):1-14. doi: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01542. Epub 2020 Nov 12. PMID: 33223537.
Sandford K, Prewitt E. A Nurse Is Not Just a Nurse: The Challenges of Nursing During a Pandemic and Beyond. NEJM Catal Innov Care Deliv 2021 Mar 17;2(4). DOI: 10.1056/CAT.21.0053 Retrieved from https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.21.0053
Nurses are vital to the healthcare field and the communities in which we serve. If a patient only needs to be assessed, diagnosed, and prescribed medicine, then they go to the doctor, but if they need to be cared for then they need a nurse! So, my dear nurse, you do matter!
The Registered Nurse (RN) workforce is projected to increase with 195,400 nurses, growing from 3.1 million in 2021 to 3.3 million in 2030. However, there is also a projected 203,000 RN openings expected each year, up to the year 2030. These openings are projected based on retiring nurses and nurses who will potentially exit the workforce (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2022).
There are many other reasons for the increased demand for nurses as well.
An aging population which means a greater need for medical care.
Many nurses are retiring.
Restricted nursing school enrollment due to shortage of nursing school faculty.
Insufficient staffing in the healthcare setting.
The Nursing Role.
Nurses are responsible for a patient’s wellbeing. In addition to performing assessments and following physician orders, nurses must recognize any early signs of deterioration in the patient’s condition. Nurses must be aware of the patient’s emotional state, and be the liaison between the patient, their families, and the treatment team.
Let’s look at how much nurses matter in different settings, as followed:
Nursing in the Hospital.
Most nurses transition from nursing school to the hospital setting. Nurses receive training to assess, monitor, and care for patients. While a physician diagnoses a disease, or ailment, and prescribes a course of treatment, it is the nurse who is involved in the implementation of that treatment therapy. Nurses work closely with patients to ensure that the desired outcome is achieved and advocate for patients when this is not the case.
As a liaison between the patient and their family and the physician, nurses can oftentimes explain in simple terms what the doctor has diagnosed. With years of experience, nurses can also provide their knowledge in a way that comforts the patient and their families as well.
Nursing in the Community.
In underserved areas alone, most patients may receive their care from a primary nurse. Nurses serve the community through immunization clinics, mobile clinics, and health screenings. Nurses are an important part of the community. Many children would not be able to attend school without a school nurse. Community nursing is an invaluable role as health care costs continue to increase.
In emergency situations, nurses provide care in the prehospital setting. A flight nurse provides critical care while transporting patients in an aircraft. Nurses may also provide care to patients via ambulance transport, collaborating with emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
Home Health Nursing.
Home health nurses provide care in the patient’s home. The elderly can maintain their independence vs being forced to live in a nursing home. Nurses also play an important role in caring for children who cannot attend school and may require treatment at home.
Advanced Nursing.
The entire community benefits when nurses decide to advance in their nursing role. One issue with rising cost of healthcare is the lack of access to physicians, so my dear Nurse practitioner, CRNA, midwife, and other advanced care providers you matter too! This may also allow a hospital to reduce its costs by providing services that in the past were only offered by a physician. However, the advanced nurse practitioner typically works under the supervision of a physician and supervision levels vary by state.
The Conclusion of the Matter.
My dear nurse, you do matter! Whether you are already a nurse, interested in the nursing field, or debating on whether to take the next leap in your nursing career, you are invaluable to the communities in which you serve. Check out All One Nurse’s previous blog- There Are So Many Choices in Nursing! – All One Nurse for more details on the different types of nursing to keep you encouraged and hopefully dedicated to the nursing field.
Shenell Thompkins, RN, MSN
All One Nurse, Founder
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2022, October). Nursing Shortage Factsheet.
Are you considering nursing as a career? Are you a current nurse looking to transition nursing roles? If so, this quick read is to help bring each aspect of nursing roles to one spot. Nursing is a diverse and rewarding occupation with many different specialties available. Whether you are interested in working directly with patients, managing a team, or conducting research, I’m sure there is a nursing job that is a good fit for your skills and interests. We can dive into each role in future blogs with more details.
Keywords: nursing careers, registered nurse jobs, occupations in healthcare.
Here are some of the most common types of nursing jobs below:
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide basic care to patients under the supervision of an RN. They may also assist with tasks such as bathing, dressing, and feeding patients.
Registered Nurses (RNs) provide direct care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. They assess patients’ health, administer medications, and provide emotional support. Most nurses start here for general patient care experience and to meet requirements for advanced nursing roles.
Nurse Educators teach nursing students in a variety of settings, including colleges, universities, and hospitals. They may also develop and deliver continuing education programs for nurses.
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are advanced practice RNs who specialize in a particular area of nursing, such as oncology or gerontology. They may conduct research, educate other nurses, and provide care to patients.
Nurse Researchers conduct research to improve the quality of nursing care. They may work in academia, government, or the private sector.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice RNs who diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, and prescribe medications. They often work in a clinic setting, but they may also work in specialty areas such as acute care, geriatrics, pediatrics, or mental health.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) administer anesthesia to patients before, during, and after surgery. They work closely with surgeons and other members of the surgical team to ensure that patients have a safe and comfortable experience.
Certified Nurse midwives (CNMs) provide care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. They may provide family planning and well-woman care as well.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many different types of nursing specialties available. If you think you really want to be a nurse, I’m sure there is a career in nursing that is a good fit for you!
Do you find yourself more stressed nowadays? You’re running on empty and not happy performing the simple tasks in life. For example, waking up!
Here are a few things you can do to decrease stress and promote self-care so you can bring back joy into your life.
Keywords:
stress, stress management, time, self-care, nurses, nursing, planners
Ways to Decrease Stress and Promote Self Care.
More and more health issues are experienced as a result of increased stress. There is good stress called eustress which is positive, motivating, and manageable to improve functioning and wellbeing. However, most of the time we’re dealing with the bad stress, called distress. Distress leads to dysfunction like physical illness, mental fatigue, and emotional depletion in our lives (habitsforwellbeing.com). As nurses, we all know that exercising and eating healthier is a great start to decreasing stress, but stress is unavoidable. What are some other ways to manage stress and promote self-care in our lives?
Here are steps to manage stress right now:
Change your perspective.
Here me out. A wise woman once told me that we can’t control anyone but ourselves. So, we have to find ways to protect our mental, physical, and spiritual selves. You can start by reframing the way you think. You shouldn’t feel like you “have to do” most of the things that you perform on a daily, or weekly basis but that you “want to do” these things. Creating a mindset of gratitude will help change your perspective as well.
For example, even when short staffed at work, you have to choose to be thankful and hopeful that you’re able to safely take care of patients vs. being a patient who needs to be cared for.
Plan your day.
Write down your routine and refer back to it throughout the day at work, and yes at home too. If you don’t have a routine, then it may help to create one. This allows you to be intentional about your time and productivity. Write down the tasks that you need to perform for the day. Create lists that work for you. It may be in digital form or old school pencil and paper. This will help you see what is really important to get done and the ability to prioritize, while hopefully decreasing stress as well.
For example, write down your “to do” list the night before and number them in order of importance.
Schedule time for yourself.
Every week, take time for you. Whether it is a whole day or a few hours, take time for yourself. Watch a movie, take a walk, get your nails done or go get a massage. Do whatever you like to do that brings joy and peace to you. You will feel rejuvenated and more focused.
Another example would be sitting in the car for 10-15 minutes without any interruptions before proceeding into the house afterwork.
Delegate tasks.
This is not only for your active nursing role but home life too! Do you have too much to get done? It is okay to get help. Ask for help from friends, family, or co-workers, as applicable. Or hire someone, as applicable, to take some of the workload off of you.
For example, get a housekeeper to help with light house duties, or deep cleaning, every now and again.
Start saying “No”.
When you try to do everything, stress takes over. Your life will start to collapse or collapse in cycles. Maybe this can be avoided if you build a strong “No” game. It’s okay to not be available to everyone, every time, and in every way physically possible. Kids are resilient and spouses will figure it out (checkmate!). Seriously, re-evaluate your yes responses. Rather it’s saying yes to yourself, when no one has asked you to do anything in the first place. Allow others to do whatever it is that they are capable of doing, even when it doesn’t meet your expectations.
For example, tell yourself “No” by allowing your spouse to pick out the children’s clothes or to pick up dinner if he/she does not cook on certain days of the week.
Conclusion
These steps are a start to getting a handle on stress and promoting self-care. Pick two easy steps and start utilizing them today. It is time to get back to a better career and overall life. Please leave a comment on any self-care tips and ways to decrease stress you’d like to add to this topic and check out links* below for additional information and resources to decrease stress.
First, congratulations! You did it! It was hard and there were many times you wanted to give up, drop out, dropped out and went back, or simply barely made your way through. However, it is finished. Nursing school that is…
Now, as you embark on this new journey and exciting career called Nursing, I wanted to leave you with some words of encouragement and tips.
Passing the NCLEX exam.
You will do fine, because guess what? It can be taken again. Invest in a credible review course and review book. Having more than 2 study tools may set you up for failure, think “quality not quantity”. Most legitimate NCLEX study tools have practice test banks. Be sure to take these practice tests and focus on the rationales of the questions answered incorrectly.
You want to learn how to take the NCLEX. You already have the knowledge, because you survived nursing school. Learn how to take the test. It is a standardized exam developed by the National Council State Board of Nursing (NCSBN) to assess if you are safe to practice. Know what the question is asking. Be sure to give yourself a break while sitting for the NCLEX. You have time. However, do not wait until the last possible minute to take your NCLEX exam after graduating, because you may not do as well. Get it out the way!
Stepping into your new career.
During your internship, or new position, always listen, be open to learning, and see the patients as Humans. You will learn your duties in time and practice safely. I don’t know what type of personality your preceptor will have but always aim to learn from the experience. This may keep you off of an emotional rollercoaster. Just don’t forget to have empathy and integrity as you are learning your new role. As humans, we all make mistakes, but when you own them, things will work out better for you. Managers will agree to this and it may prevent someone else from making the same mistake.
Remember that people come to the hospital because they need a nurse. They need and depend on you to care for them. They will always remember how you made them feel, even if they don’t remember what you said.
Anxiety may follow you for the next 6 months of your new career, as you go through orientation and start caring for patients independently. It will get better. As you follow your preceptors, write down notes and look over your notes at home. Take the time and learn where the supplies are in your unit/department. Always ask questions. Always follow your organizations protocols, policies, and procedures. These are set in place to protect you, the patient, and the organization.
Becoming a great nurse.
Healthcare is always evolving due to technology, new medications, etc. From the very new nurses (such as yourselves) to the very experienced nurses (beyond me), nursing is a lifelong learning process. I truly believe we are God’s hands and feet on earth. May we all do so through competency, passion, and integrity.
Sincerely,
All One Nurse
If there is anything that you would like to share as a new nurse, or experienced nurse, feel free to comment below*
As a nurse educator, I developed a teaching philosophy. Check it out below and I encourage you to develop your own nursing philosophy to help motivate you on your nursing journey. Enjoy!
My Nursing Philosophy
I am very passionate about the nursing profession and my role as a nurse. I desire to teach future nurses the same values, beliefs, and dedication I have toward the nursing profession. What I believe makes a great nurse educator is their qualities, teaching strategies, and recognition of challenges.
I believe a nurse educator’s character should possess an attitude of integrity, accountability, respect, commitment, caring, managing impulsivity, and listening with understanding and empathy. Doing so, demonstrates the respect for thyself, the profession of nursing, and the public.
I believe a nurse educator’s skills and competency are important, adding the ability to combine clinical expertise with a formal background in teaching for students to be successful. Nurse educators should aim to become certified to rid the question of competency, but display competency in their area of practice.
I believe that successful teaching consists of the ability to use a variety of teaching strategies that promote a learner-centered environment. I believe that students should understand that they are accountable for their learning which will affect the lives of others. I want to do so in a manner that is motivating and facilitates learning. I believe that nurse educators must assess how students learn best and be adaptable, approachable, and responsive to students.
I believe that successful teaching consists of recognition of challenges. There are constant changes within the nursing profession and health care system. We must be aware of external issues like health care reform, changing demographics, technology, and the environment in which nurses’ practice. We must develop a curriculum that remains challenging while also providing opportunities for diverse students to participate in.
If you’re working in the hospital setting, we have all completed the yearly online modules on workplace violence. Obvious workplace violence will be physical and/or verbal altercations, but let’s talk about the more subtle acts of violence, like eating our young nurses up and leaving no crumbs!
We all start out with the mindset, “I’ll never do that” but if we look away when we see them coming and refuse to help a newer nurse, or nursing student, then my nurse friend we are eating from the plate, too. So, let’s pause and revamp our diet here!
Workplace civility
Let’s talk about the benefits of workplace civility in our workspace. Most hospitals are short staffed, ass backwards, and the list of negatives can just keep going. However, workplace civility starts with the individual. It is the practice of treating all people with respect and courtesy, regardless of their position or title.
Why is it so important?
It creates a more positive and productive work environment.
It can help to reduce stress and conflict.
It can attract and retain staff.
It can improve HCAP scores*.
There are a number of things that we can do to prevent eating our young nurses and promote workplace civility, including:
Setting a good example for new nurses and nursing students.
Being approachable.
Being patient.
Enforcing the policies and procedures.
Recognizing and rewarding new nurses and nursing students for practicing safely.
Workplace civility is an important part of creating a positive and productive work environment. By taking steps to promote workplace civility, the patients, staff, and organization benefit in many ways.
Here are some additional tips for promoting workplace civility and not eating our young nursing staff:
Be respectful of others, even when you disagree with them.
Listen to others without interrupting.
Be open to feedback.
Be willing to compromise.
Be a team player.
Be positive and upbeat.
Be helpful and supportive.
Be honest and ethical.
Be professional.
By following these tips, we can all create a more positive and productive work environment that welcomes our new nurses and nursing students instead of eating them up and spitting out the bones.
How many times do you just need to silence the beeping pump, or quickly get a blood pressure? Not including all the other “right quick” tasks that may be needed in that patient’s room throughout the day. However, wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not a suggestion. It is essential for healthcare workers to protect themselves, their colleagues, and other patients from exposure to transmittable diseases.
What is PPE?
There are many different types, including gloves, gowns, masks, face shields, eye wear, and other protective materials. The type of PPE that is required will vary depending on the type of procedure being performed and the risk of exposure to infectious pathogens, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious materials.
It is important to use PPE correctly (donning) and to dispose of it properly after use (doffing). Healthcare workers should also be trained on how to use PPE safely and effectively. Do not walk in the halls with PPE on. Even if it is clean, it gives off the perception that it might not be. My most experienced nurses know to “cluster” their care in isolated rooms, but it’s the getting stuck in our ways that is not always the best way and can cause the most harm.
Here’s the bottom line, PPE:
Protects you from exposure to blood-borne pathogens, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious materials.
Protects patients from becoming infected by healthcare workers (Immunosuppressed Patients).
Helps to prevent the spread of infection, reducing healthcare cost, and improving patient safety.
It is important to note that just like birth control, PPE is not 100% effective in preventing exposure to infectious diseases. However, it is an important part of infection control and can help to reduce the risk of exposure and transmission of diseases.
For more information on PPE, please visit the cdc.gov website.
