Nurses are trained to manage problems, but it’s not always easy. The fast-paced environment of the hospital can be stressful and overwhelming for new nurses, especially if they’re not properly educated or experienced.
As a nurse, if you’re new to the profession, it can be challenging to handle everything that comes at you. You may feel like you don’t know what to do in specific situations or respond the way you’re required to. But with training and relevant education, you’ll have excellent chances of surviving the initial crucial months on the job.
With that said, the following are some tips on coping with emergencies:
1. Learn From Your Mistakes
In the medical industry, mistakes are common. No matter how much training you’ve had, there will probably be something that goes wrong during your shift.
Those mistakes will sometimes be your fault or someone else’s, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
But, the important thing is to learn from these mistakes and move forward.
2. Don’t Take Everything Personally
You need to remember every detail about every patient admitted. While it’s true that every patient is different, you should know that they react differently depending on their circumstances also.
Some patients may not like being told what to do, while others might get angry when you ask them to stay still. Try to consider these things so you don’t feel too personally insulted by each patient’s reactions.
3. Identify Your Resources
Every hospital has different resources available to its staff members. They should be able to offer advice and guidance. If you’re unsure about something, talk to your supervisor about it.
But most hospitals also have an online resource center where you can find answers to questions you may have.
You can also consider enrolling in one of the many online mph programs to add to your skillset and learn about the latest developments in medicine.
4. Be Flexible
Nursing is a career that takes time to master. You shouldn’t expect to know everything right away. Even experienced nurses struggle with one or two aspects of the job.
So, instead of figuring everything out on your own, ask someone who knows more about a specific topic. Or you could even think about enrolling in an advanced degree program to increase your knowledge base.
5. Learn How to Delegate
If you feel overwhelmed, then try delegating tasks to other people. For example, if a busy nurse asks for help, send somebody to fetch supplies instead of yourself. There’s no reason why you should be the only person responsible for every task.
6. Ask Questions
Sometimes it helps to ask questions. If you’re unsure about something, raise your hand and ask. Asking questions demonstrates your commitment and willingness to learn. As long as you don’t interrupt another nurse while working, nobody will mind.
7. Keep A Diary
Even if you think you’re being careful, you can never tell what will happen next. It’s best to write down any information you encounter or remember. That way, you’ll know exactly what happened if the patient forgets later. You can also use this opportunity to reflect on the shift and identify areas for improvement.
8. Avoid Stressful Situations
Some situations are unavoidable, but try to avoid them whenever possible. One way to do this is to keep calm.
Staying focused will allow you to deal with stressors without letting them affect your performance. Stressing out will only make matters worse. So, try to remain relaxed and composed to deal with the situation effectively.
9. Get Enough Sleep
It’s tempting to cram more hours into your shift, especially if you’re worried about getting fired. But you won’t be effective if you don’t get enough rest.
Your sleep cycle should be just as crucial as your shift. Make sure you go home early if you start feeling tired. You can get a whole night’s sleep before starting your next transition.
10. Use Your Prioritization Skills
You’ll only have limited time to respond to a problem in any given situation. If you don’t prioritize tasks, you’ll waste too much time.
For example, you might notice a patient has stopped breathing, and they might die if you take too long to respond. So, you must first decide what is most urgent and focus on those issues. Then, once all the problems have been dealt with, you can move on to less pressing ones.
11. Pay Attention to Detail
Taking care of patients isn’t just about being fed and bathed. It’s also about paying attention to the little details, such as their fingernails.
If a patient’s nails are dirty, they might develop a fungal infection. And if you don’t wash their hands regularly, they could catch a virus or bacterial infection. So, make sure to pay close attention to the small things.
12. Watch Out For Your Safety
Don’t push yourself beyond your limits. That is bad for your health, but it could also put other people at risk. Don’t worry too much about looking professional – taking extra care to ensure your safety is far more critical.
13. Embrace Change
Change is inevitable. New technology, procedures, and equipment will continually change the nursing field.
Rather than fearing change, you should embrace it. After all, new technologies can improve efficiency and save lives. Keeping abreast of current affairs will give you some insight into your world.
Final Words
Becoming a nurse is a challenging career path, but it’s worth every second. You are helping people in a meaningful way, but you’re also learning valuable skills along the way.
As a nurse, you’ll gain expertise in several fields, including nursing and medicine. These skills will improve the chances of landing a great job after graduating. As you continue to work, you’ll acquire even more experience, further enhancing your chances of success.
