It's not because I'm upset but that's describing my Christmas sock collection! For many years, as a kid and as a nurse, I've had to wear uniforms. So when they don't specify what kind of socks you can wear, I get creative.
And the rest of the year I wear compression hose, so I can make all the patients wear theirs when they get frisky and refuse...er decline!
Don't leave home without festive (and comfortable) feet!
Showing posts with label compression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label compression. Show all posts
Monday, December 19, 2011
Friday, March 28, 2008
A few handy things for a new rehab nurse
Since I just realized that I'm closing in on one year as a nurse, I thought I'd share a few things for the students about to graduate who may be heading into rehab as their specialty. Your mileage may vary, but never fear...there's always room for innovation out there. Keep your eyes open!
1. Good shoes and socks.
You may have discovered this in nursing school, but if you have not, seek and find until you discover your favorite pair, and once you do, buy two pairs. Your back and your legs and the rest of your body will thank you.
I am also a disciple of Compression Socks. Some of you may think they're crazy, but I love them, since my feet feel great when I'm done with my shift. Besides, it's another way to educate your patients on wearing their TED hose. My favorite quote, "See, Bob (insert your patient name here), I've got mine on. Let's get yours ready to go."
2. Be prepared.
Just like they say in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, it's good to be prepared. Especially when you have the patient in isolation who wants to be suctioned multiple times on your shift. I always try to keep a mental list of what my patients have in the room, so I can keep it stocked. It can get crazy, but you can do it. If your patients go to therapy, restock them while they're gone. If not, try to restock whenever you can. That extra minute of stocking can save you five when you're in a hurry.
3. Pillow cases work wonders in many situations.
This is a corollary of #2. I have used pillow cases as bibs, quick towels and as the occasional non-plastic Depend backup for a quad who had dig stim every morning but wanted a little more security when he went to therapy. They are also wonderful for use on the sliding boards (keeps the butt sliding to the commode, if you get my drift.)
4. Look, listen and learn from your peers.
Sure, you just got out of school (nursing program name here) and know lots of facts and figures, but on the floor is where the rubber hits the road. Hang back and watch first, then do. Pay attention and you will see who is doing things the RIGHT way (i.e. correctly following policy and procedure), and who is not. The older nurses on the floor may not do everything the way you think (or policy says) they should, but you can learn something from everyone. I would have never learned a better way to put a Foley in females had I not watched K. the pseudocharge at Saintarama. She was 99% on the first try with her Foleys on the floor and after watching a few times I noted some of her techniques--less lube and shorter grip.
5. The patient is the star of the show.
Yes, you'll have lots of competition in this category, especially doctors and other people demanding your time, but keep in mind that the patients on your assignment are your top priority.
When you get your assignment, they are yours until you hand them off at the end of the shift. Take care of them and give them your undivided attention while you are with them. Let them know if deviations may cause you to leave the room while you are working with them if this is feasible. Make each one feel like a million bucks whenever you can...even if you don't want to or feel horrible. That person in the room is someone's special someone, so make them feel that way when you are around, too.
6. Stay positive.
Yes, you may get into work and the sky may seem to be falling. Keep reminding yourself that you will have a good day, and you will get through whatever trouble may be cropping up here and there. You survived nursing school and have the license and skills to prove it. Use them, especially those coping skills. Just as animals sense fear, patients can pick up on crabby nurses pretty darned quickly. You'll make your patients feel better (and yourself) if you can model calm and collected behavior on the outside, even if you don't really feel too calm and collected inside!
1. Good shoes and socks.
You may have discovered this in nursing school, but if you have not, seek and find until you discover your favorite pair, and once you do, buy two pairs. Your back and your legs and the rest of your body will thank you.
I am also a disciple of Compression Socks. Some of you may think they're crazy, but I love them, since my feet feel great when I'm done with my shift. Besides, it's another way to educate your patients on wearing their TED hose. My favorite quote, "See, Bob (insert your patient name here), I've got mine on. Let's get yours ready to go."
2. Be prepared.
Just like they say in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, it's good to be prepared. Especially when you have the patient in isolation who wants to be suctioned multiple times on your shift. I always try to keep a mental list of what my patients have in the room, so I can keep it stocked. It can get crazy, but you can do it. If your patients go to therapy, restock them while they're gone. If not, try to restock whenever you can. That extra minute of stocking can save you five when you're in a hurry.
3. Pillow cases work wonders in many situations.
This is a corollary of #2. I have used pillow cases as bibs, quick towels and as the occasional non-plastic Depend backup for a quad who had dig stim every morning but wanted a little more security when he went to therapy. They are also wonderful for use on the sliding boards (keeps the butt sliding to the commode, if you get my drift.)
4. Look, listen and learn from your peers.
Sure, you just got out of school (nursing program name here) and know lots of facts and figures, but on the floor is where the rubber hits the road. Hang back and watch first, then do. Pay attention and you will see who is doing things the RIGHT way (i.e. correctly following policy and procedure), and who is not. The older nurses on the floor may not do everything the way you think (or policy says) they should, but you can learn something from everyone. I would have never learned a better way to put a Foley in females had I not watched K. the pseudocharge at Saintarama. She was 99% on the first try with her Foleys on the floor and after watching a few times I noted some of her techniques--less lube and shorter grip.
5. The patient is the star of the show.
Yes, you'll have lots of competition in this category, especially doctors and other people demanding your time, but keep in mind that the patients on your assignment are your top priority.
When you get your assignment, they are yours until you hand them off at the end of the shift. Take care of them and give them your undivided attention while you are with them. Let them know if deviations may cause you to leave the room while you are working with them if this is feasible. Make each one feel like a million bucks whenever you can...even if you don't want to or feel horrible. That person in the room is someone's special someone, so make them feel that way when you are around, too.
6. Stay positive.
Yes, you may get into work and the sky may seem to be falling. Keep reminding yourself that you will have a good day, and you will get through whatever trouble may be cropping up here and there. You survived nursing school and have the license and skills to prove it. Use them, especially those coping skills. Just as animals sense fear, patients can pick up on crabby nurses pretty darned quickly. You'll make your patients feel better (and yourself) if you can model calm and collected behavior on the outside, even if you don't really feel too calm and collected inside!
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