soak.
By impactEDnurse • May 23rd, 2006 • Category: reflective practice.
Slow down; take a look at your next patient. Imagine how they might be feeling. For you it’s just another day at the office. For them it’s a washing machine of fear and pain and anger. Turn off the spin dry and help them soak.
For you… it’s three or four patients and a hundred tasks and never enough time. Another stressful shift just like yesterday was, and just like tomorrow will be.
For them… it’s just them.
If you find yourself looking at the monitor more than the person you are off track.
If you find yourself guestimating their respiratory rate instead of watching the rise and fall of their chest you are missing the mark.
If you are thinking of the next task whilst rushing scrappily through the task at hand, you are wasting your time.
Your career as a nurse will be over in the blink of an eye. Make it great.
impactEDnurse is also known as Ian Miller, a nurse with over 26 years experience working in a busy emergency department in, Australia. This site in no way reflects the opinions of that hospital.
All stories (although based on actual experiences) have been changed to protect patient confidentiality.
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