In Chapter 1, Brown (2011) explains why she gave up her job as an English professor to become a nurse. Her reason for switching careers being that nursing is “…a job I love and hate” (p. 11). She explains that nursing was a much more meaningful career for her, and that it stressed her out in a “completely different and oddly more tolerable way” (p. 11). While I was reading this chapter I felt comforted by Theresa’s words, because it was something I could relate to on so many levels. I chose nursing because I have such an innate passion to care for others, but it has definitely come with its obstacles. It is not easy sticking patients with needles, or rubbing their backs as they vomit for the fourth time in 2 hours. It is painful watching them
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She starts out by getting her assignments and staples them together. Then she starts taking notes on a blank piece of paper. “Losing one’s papers, for a nurse or doctor, is a disaster. Days are usually so busy that writing things down is the only way to make sure everything gets done” (p. 61). I have come to find in my clinical experiences that this piece of paper is your lifeline for the day. It has med orders, times for diagnostic tests, diet and mobility information, and other pertinent instructions to ensure that you do not forget any valuable tasks for your …show more content…
This is something that I have really struggled with in nursing school. I will have an idea of how my day is going to go and just when I feel comfortable with it, everything changes. I like feeling like I am in control and being able to utilize time management skills well, but it becomes nearly impossible when you have more than 3 patients to care for at a time. The way that I have handled unanticipated events in the past is by prioritization. Sometimes you are going to have to stay late to get your work completed, but as long as the most important things are finished and documented it is substantially less stressful going into shift change. I also have realized the power of delegation, and never being afraid to ask for help. The way I see it, we are all in that 12-hour shift together, and the more you can work as a team the easier your day will
She starts out by getting her assignments and staples them together. Then she starts taking notes on a blank piece of paper. “Losing one’s papers, for a nurse or doctor, is a disaster. Days are usually so busy that writing things down is the only way to make sure everything gets done” (p. 61). I have come to find in my clinical experiences that this piece of paper is your lifeline for the day. It has med orders, times for diagnostic tests, diet and mobility information, and other pertinent instructions to ensure that you do not forget any valuable tasks for your …show more content…
This is something that I have really struggled with in nursing school. I will have an idea of how my day is going to go and just when I feel comfortable with it, everything changes. I like feeling like I am in control and being able to utilize time management skills well, but it becomes nearly impossible when you have more than 3 patients to care for at a time. The way that I have handled unanticipated events in the past is by prioritization. Sometimes you are going to have to stay late to get your work completed, but as long as the most important things are finished and documented it is substantially less stressful going into shift change. I also have realized the power of delegation, and never being afraid to ask for help. The way I see it, we are all in that 12-hour shift together, and the more you can work as a team the easier your day will