Attention New Nurses and Nursing Student

LPN, RN, and Students Nurses:

Tips you can use 

If you are a new nurse or about to be, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed, anxious and like you simply may not have been taught enough.  As a "seasoned nurse" let me start by saying that you are not alone in feeling these things.  I can remember being really scared when I finished my nursing program .  I thought for sure that I had not been taught enough to be trusted  with the care of the sick,  elderly and disable....all while supervising people who were not only older than i was but had also been in the medical field longer than I had!

 The first the thing that you need to do is RELAX.  If you are nervous, this is something that your patients will pick up on quickly and they are depending on you.  It will definitely make patients  uneasy if you come across nervous, scared or like you don't know what you are doing.  If you are supervising CNAs, medical assistants or medication technicians they will pick up on this as well and may take advantage of this fact.  It is very important to put your confident face on.  Remember if you don't know something then ask.  Actually all of those great notes that you took while you where in nursing school can really come in handy during those uncertain times.  Don't be afraid to pull out some of those notes to refresh your memory.  If you were kind enough to pass your notes on to another nursing student in need ask for the policy and procedure manual make your self familiar with where it is kept and don't be embarrassed to check.  For instance, you get a new admission you take report and find out that this patient has a new G-Tube, go to the policy and procedure manual and look up the policy for flushes, medication administration cleaning and feeding browse over it I would even suggest making a copy & taking it home or read over it on break when you have more time.  Some nurses (old and new) start a"need to know" binder or keep a clipboard with them containing pertinent information.

Policy and Procedure Example

Policy and Procedure Example

If you don't know your facilities policy on G-Tube care there are some things to always remember:

1. Keep the patient  HOB elevated.
2. Always check for placement, if you are not sure what the policy is check for residual and also use the air bolus method that way you are covered.
3. Always flush the G-Tube with tepid to warm water before and after use.  Starting a feeding without a water flush will almost guarantee a clogged tube.
4. Always assess the site.  Do not ignore drainage.  G-Tube sites are really good at growing infections, especially in long term care facilities.