Although it’s a healthcare profession, nursing is much different from a doctor’s job. When we think of nursing, we often assume it to be a much easier job than what doctors have to face. However, a nurse’s role has evolved, and nurses now take on more responsibilities than they used to.
Alongside being responsible for managing, treating, and (in some cases) diagnosing various illnesses, a nurse also needs to maintain an appropriate bedside manner. This is because nurses spend a significant amount of time around patients. Their behavior has a profound impact on a patient’s perception of the healthcare facility. Therefore, as a nurse, you might know everything you must do to maintain this etiquette. Simultaneously, there are a few don’ts you need to be mindful of too. Let’s take a look at some of these don’ts below.
Don’t berate staff members
As you progress through your career, you’ll find yourself assuming leadership positions and coming to a stage where you can oversee and supervise your juniors. Ensuring that newer nursing staff members provide the best quality care can be challenging. Sometimes, it can mean adopting a stricter role. However, there’s always a time and place for stern feedback. And addressing any mistakes in front of patients can be a big no.
As a nurse, you want your patients to trust every staff member. Your patients will likely do the same if you adopt a suspicious or untrusting attitude towards other staff members. Even if you have to address any shortcomings, do it in private to ensure your patients continue to trust the staff fully. Being highly educated can help improve such managerial issues. So, consider a nursing administration master’s degree to assume a responsible nursing leadership position. Honing your soft skills and managerial expertise can help you address your staff’s shortcomings professionally.
Don’t skip your breaks
It can be all too easy to immerse yourself in your job. Even when you’re not in a crisis, the atmosphere in a hospital is always tense and fast-paced. There are always patients around who need your full attention and care, and it can be challenging to disengage and make time for yourself.
However, it’s essential to make time for yourself to ensure you deliver the best possible care to clients. Nurse burnout is a killer and can impact the quality of care you provide. Studies show that nurse burnout can lead to higher patient infection rates, dissatisfaction, and death. Skipping breaks in front of your patients can keep you caught up until it’s time to clock out, and you can be exhausted. Whether it’s a lunch break or a short rest, catch up on it whenever you can.
Don’t panic
Coming to a healthcare institution to seek help can be a harrowing experience for patients when confronted with panicky healthcare staff. As a nurse, your primary job is to ensure your customers are as comfortable as possible. If you act shocked when faced with a new illness, you can increase the anxiety patients face.
You will often come across diseases that spread fast and alarming conditions that make no sense. However, it is your duty as a nurse to maintain your composure in front of patients and assure them you’ll do your best to handle the situation. Even if you feel overwhelmed by the case in front of you, express your concerns only to trained healthcare professionals who can handle the problem easily.
Don’t give false reassurances
You’ll often come across patients looking for some reassurance that things will be okay. Patients or their families have many questions and even more concerns. They can be super-panicky when they show up in an emergency. You might feel tempted to reassure them and tell them everything will be fine. However, doing so can lead to many problems down the road as it can cause patients and their families to downplay the seriousness of the situation.
Unless you’re sure about a condition’s outcome, you should refrain from giving patients any positive news until they’re in the clear. Suppose you end up giving false reassurances and something goes wrong. In that case, the patient and their family won’t just blame you, but the entire healthcare institution. You may have to face litigation or lose your license to practice in the worst-case scenario. So, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and reserve any comments until you’ve resolved the issue entirely.
Never act too busy to provide care
We understand that you’ll have a lot of work on your plate. There can be patients across the hospital to care for, and you may subconsciously prioritize some over others. However, it’s important to remember that as a healthcare provider, everyone deserves equal attention. You may feel that some patients don’t have needs as dire as others. However, when patients reach out to healthcare providers, they’re already in distress.
If you feel like you’re being pulled in all directions, enlisting a coworker to help might be wise. Having an extra pair of hands to handle patients who don’t need immediate intervention can leave you to care for others with more urgent needs. However, it’s essential to communicate with your patients and reassure them that you’ll be checking up on them again.
Conclusion
Working as a nurse is easily one of the most challenging jobs to take on. But it’s also one of the most personally and financially rewarding ones. You learn a lot in the classroom, but perfecting your bedside manner is integral to performing well as a nurse. If you avoid all of these mishaps, you can ensure that you keep patients satisfied with the care delivered while taking care of your needs. Avoiding these few don’ts can make you a better nurse and help create a much more efficient healthcare environment.