Related: Attitude, Embarrassing Moment, Humor, Stress

If it feels like a cold front has hit your unit—cool looks and frosty comments are the norm—then be the one to bring some life into the unit.

Some of the best bad-mood breakers are embarrassing moments. And, boy, do nurses have a ton of crazy stories. It is freeing when you can laugh at those moments that make you want to crawl under the gurney. [...]

Related: Confidentiality, Conflict, Patients

I broke the C law--not on purpose. And what is the C law? Let me tell you a story. Early one morning I received a letter, which read:

"Dear Nurse,

Thank you for your email, but we feel our son needs to see a doctor as his cough sounds terrible. He complains of being constantly tired, unable to sleep, and states that you do not let him [...]

Related: Attitude, Caregivers, Caring, Patience, Patients, Time

I read a blog entry this week from a friend whose son is having a bone marrow transplant today. I could fill a book with all the things I've learned from this family, but I'll just share one thing with you today. This particular entry was about how you can't rush a 10-year-old who doesn't want to do something. Especially if he [...]

Related: Conflict, Feedback, Nurse Relationships, Problem Solving, Respect, Stress

When you’re having a conflict with a co-worker, you may consider the advice a mentor once passed on to me: What might feel personal is not personal at all.

Think of it. When you’re crabby or stand-offish at work, it’s usually because you’re under a lot of stress. You’re tired. Work is demanding. Your schedule is overflowing. There’s been a death in the family. Your kids [...]

Related: Assertiveness, Authority, Communication, Confidence, Doctor-Nurse Relationships, Labor and Delivery Nursing, Patient Advocate, Professionalism

Working the night shift on a Labor & Delivery floor, I often know what’s going on with the laboring mother-to-be better than the doc does. And sometimes, I actually have to tell the doctors what needs to be done.

Of course that’s a challenge. Who am I? I think. They’re the doctor. They know best; they are “above” me. But when you are looking out for [...]

Related: Communication, Delegation, New Nurse Tips, Nurse Relationships, Respect, Teamwork

I talked with one new nurse who said that 50% of the time she was really good at delegating. The other 50%?  She admitted, “I end up doing the task that a CNA should be doing—because I’m not strong enough to insist upon it. And then I beat myself up, because I realize I should have persisted. I wouldn’t fall behind on my work if [...]

Related: Education, Student Nurse

After a couple of years of very hard pre-reqs (where I got all A's) I was so excited last month to finally start nursing school! So far, though, it has been nothing but complete and utter frustration. No, not because the work is hard, but because my teachers and the whole program just seem to be so unorganized and disconnected!

For example, my teacher has never [...]

Related: Boundaries, Doctor-Nurse Relationships, Fraternizing with Residents, Inappropriate Relationships, New Nurse, Professionalism, Sabotage

I work at a hospital where nurses more frequently deal with residents than with attendings.

On one level, it’s a lot of fun, because there’s great camaraderie. They’re learning just like we (new nurses) are. We ask them questions, and they ask us questions. Sometimes we even step in and offer advice when they’re doing a procedure wrong, or point out when they’ve forgotten something, like [...]

Related: Attitude, Caring, Doctors, Learning, Support

My friend's dad had a triple bypass after a heart attack over the weekend.

I saw through her eyes how overwhelming, traumatic and surreal a health crisis can be. I've also seen how said crisis can be transformed by a caring medical staff.

My friend's world revolves around taking care of her family, working on her degree, church and school involvement, and writing. Never [...]

Related: Assertiveness, Attitude, Authority, Boundaries, Doctor-Nurse Relationships, Doctors, Professionalism, Respect

In the OR things can get hairy—real fast. And in those moments of peril, doctors seem to be the most disrespectful of nurses.

I’ve had doctors yell at me for not having what they needed in the room. They bawl, “Hey, nurse, why isn’t such-and-such instrument/med ready? Why isn’t it here? I need it now!”

In those moments, I cover my name badge and say, “Do you [...]