Operating room technique

All nurses have a general operating room technique whether you are a scrub nurse, theatre nurse or a circulating nurse. A scrub nurse scrubs into surgery, is positioned near the surgeon and hands needed instruments and surgical supplies during the procedure to the surgeon. This is a very important position during a surgery. The scrub nurse must work well with the surgeon and other operating staff and assist the surgeon in keeping the flow and rhythm of the procedure. A circulating nurse ensures that the surgical room, equipment and supplies and prepared, ready and available to the surgical staff. The circulating nurse is also responsible to represent the patient whom is unable to speak for him/herself if anything were to go in a manner that is not optimum for the patient. This position is also a very important position. Without a circulating nurse, the surgical staff may run out of supplies, have an equipment failure, and use unsterilized instruments or other such situations. The circulating nurse is a little like a musical composer, they ensure things go as best as possible and the staff have everything they need to be successful. The theatre nurse is very well educated, trained and experience and is prepared to take the position and role of either the surgical or circulating nurse. This nurse is very versatile and may be placed in either position needing filled. To find free career advice on which nurse you would like to be, contact your local college for a free career placement assessment.

Workplace Violence for Nurses

Nurses are particularly vulnerable to violent attacks when staffing is low and at times of high activity, such as visiting hours and meals, OSHA researchers explain. Some nurses also work alone in remote locations and in high-crime areas where they are vulnerable to assault.

Many nurses can't avoid working alone or in emergency rooms and mental health centers where the potential for violence exists. Most health care centers have installed security systems that control access and require employees to wear ID badges.

Familiarize yourself with your patients, especially those with a history of violent behavior, dementia, or drug or alcohol intoxication. You can also make sure you always have an escort or another worker around when you feel you're in an unsafe situation. Make sure you have a system that protects confidentiality but alerts your co-workers if you know there's a patient who may become aggressive.

Latex Allergies in the Workplace

The powder that manufacturers put on latex gloves can cause a rash on your hands, and in some severe cases, could send you into anaphylactic shock. Even if you don't develop an allergy when you first start using them, you could develop them later, and you may be sensitive to them even if they're on other people's hands.

Ask your workplace to use powder-free gloves. But if you do have to work with powdered gloves, wash and dry your hands thoroughly after removing them. While at work, avoid using oil-based lotions that contain mineral, coconut, or palm oil or lanolin. These oils break down the glove barrier. If you can, wear synthetic gloves or cotton liners with latex gloves for work that gets your hands wet. People who develop latex sensitivity may have to go to more trouble to avoid exposure. Consult a doctor and tell your employer if your symptoms get worse.

Time management in nursing

General nursing information is given within the explanation of your nursing classes as you begin your studies. Within this information you will find that you will need to learn time management skills to keep your stress levels down and your patient care up. Learning time management in nursing can sometimes seem a bit overwhelming. But if you successfully complete the applicable skills you will be able to control some of the situations you are presented with in your busy work schedule. You may arrive to work to find someone has called in sick or injured (which happens) and all of a sudden you feel overwhelmed with stress because you don’t have the staff assistance you feel you need to give the best possible care to your patience. With nursing time management skills you will be able to manage the care of all your patience without getting so stressed that you make a mistake. And let’s face it, mistakes happen but one really serious mistake can cost a life or serious injury and that is not what you got into nursing for. To better prepare for the unexpected, learning time management for nursing is a very important skill to have. And with the proper time management skills and training you may also be looking for career advancement, raises and you will definitely receive the recognition from your co-workers that you worked so hard and show great skill and control. You will be so glad you went the extra distance to obtain such a high standard of care for your patience and show such pride, care and abilities to others.

Nursing time management

When you begin classes to become a registered nurse, you will learn the general nursing information which applies to this position along with detailed studies in care and treatment of patience. Within your studies you will also want to incorporate time management classes for nursing. These classes will assist you in learning to assess and manage your time more effectively. Nursing time management can be a difficult feet to get a handle on. When you arrive at work for your scheduled shift, there are always so many things to do and you can feel overwhelmed very quickly. But if you prioritize and try to stay on top of each situation you will get through it. Learning time management skills and applying them in a concise manner may help. You must begin your shift with a brief from the previous shift this will give you the needed information to attend to the most needed areas and patients first. After you have the most needed patients cared for, you will begin a normal routine of checking all your patients and ensuring that their needs are take care of. Time management in nursing can also be accomplished by delegating responsibilities to other staff members. Such as: if a patient simply needs water, bedding assistance or other hygienic assistance you may choose to send a nurse’s assistant or other staff member to assist while you are attending to other patient whom may need medications or other services which require a registered nurse.

 

Roseanne, Thank you for your comment.. I have to also say that I have been a patient in nurmerous deppartments of the hospital.. I have seen great nurses and some that leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.. I think that circumstances are to blame, but when it comes to the end of the day, we have to remember that is why we are here...Not for the patient to be there for us...Teresa