Have a fresh diaper of the correct size ready before removing the soiled diaper. Do a quick switch. Cool air on a baby's genitals can stimulate urination, and boys have a knack for wetting you. (Jerry Goure)
SCVMC Tips
First thing after report you do a safety assessment on your patient. Check for an Ambu-bag at the bedside; side rails; IV site(s), tubing, pumps & solutions; feeding tube sites and pumps; any other tubes; overall respiratory status. The nurses often take report in the room with the patient, so you can do much of this while getting report. (Jerry Goure)
Everyday is a teaching day. It doesn't have to be big, but it does have to be charted. There are a lot of papers in the charting room that you can give to patients and parents to reinforce teaching. Some are in Spanish. (Jerry Goure)
Rounds are late enough that you can usually be present when the doctors reach your patient. Try not to be hidden away in the charting room. (Jerry Goure)
Parent/child bonding and play are critical elements of your patient's day. You should always do something to promote these activities, and you should always chart what you did. (Jerry Goure)
If you are the Peer Resource Nurse, check your peers charts, including the MAR and the flow sheet—with assessments, I&O, and nurses notes. Remind them if they are behind on charting. Make sure they've initialed and signed in all the right places. Make sure their IV checklists are complete in the flow sheet and the MAR. (Jerry Goure)
If you are the Peer Resource Nurse, do focused assessments with your peers once daily care is complete. Know a little about their patients' diagnoses, and quiz them on important assessment items. (Jerry Goure)
If you are the Peer Resource Nurse, find out your peers' schedules: medications (from the MAR), dressing changes, CPT, bathing, feeding and other treatments. Ask them,What are you going to do next Gently remind them when important things must happen or if their schedule is slipping. Don't, however, bother them when they're with their patients. (Jerry Goure)
You should take your break and lunch, or at least your lunch, and your instructor may hound you to do so. It makes the day much better. Don't forget to report off to another student before leaving. (Jerry Goure)
The rooftop garden on the third floor is a great place to get a little fresh air and a little peace on your break or lunch. Best of all, it takes less than a minute to get there. (Jerry Goure)
