Why A Nurse?

Hurricane Katrina changed my life in many ways, but the one thing it took was my ability to be a medic. I got hurt in the line of duty and can not move people the way I once did. To me the next best thing is nursing. I will miss being out on the street rolling in the mud and muck, getting dirty but I will have the chance to make a difference in someones life. The funny part is most people do not remember your name or even that you were there, but what matters most to me is the idea that they may walk out of the hospital, and hug their children another day. I may have to do this with in 4 walls, but I can hope to end up on a chopper or a plane!

Where Does Technology Fit?

So I am writing this blog because I just finished a class about technology in the classroom. Now, thinking where Technology fits into medicine is a bit diff rent than what I have studded all semester but, I do already have some good ideas. I do know how EKG's have changes. 20 years ago a paramedic could do a very simple one in the field, now they can do one that is hospital quality and fax it to the emergency room where the patient is going. The very same piece of equipment will store critical pieces of information if it is asked to do so, the capabilities are changing every day. Patient charts are very seldom hand written. Every thing is done on computers and stored electronically, this includes x-rays, MRI's and CAT scans. Medications are dispensed electronically by patient number to help keep better track of where inventory goes. I can see where developing a Personal Learning Network of health care Professionals will be very beneficial.

What It Takes To Be the Best...

I am committed to becoming a great nurse and I think the skills required to do so are seen in the way one talks to others, you should always be respectful. A nurse should be service oriented. There should be a high degree of social perceptiveness. Reading and oral comprehension are a must. A nurse must have good judgment and decision making skills, someone’s life may depend on it. Customer and personal service skills are also very important, the patients and the families are your customers. Problem sensitivity or the ability to tell when something is likely to go wrong so it can be prevented or fixed. Critical thinking is another important skill, logic and analysis so different approaches can be presented, because not every idea will work every time.

Can You Do More Than 1 Thing At A Time (Aptitude)?

This is a big one for me! I do not think people realize how many things health care professionals have to be able to accomplish at one time. From drug calculations, caregiver, psychologist, and social worker just to make a few, and we have not even started on the many of the other things they are suppose to be doing that are really their job. The big part of being a nurse is being able to many things at the same time and being able to do them well. I must be well versed in science, math and all sorts of things in between. Have good people skills and know how to be diplomatic.

Attitude of a Nurse

I understand that nursing requires more commitment than other jobs. I will respect the rules and regulations of the nursing profession, I will commit to an attitude of pride and a desire to grow professionally. I will maintain an attitude of cheerful optimism and the desire to acquire new skills. I will always have an interest in helping solve the problems of others. At the same time, I will respect the opinion and judgment of others.I should always have a motivation to search for new knowledge. The respect for dignity and rights of each person should never be compromised. There should always be a spirit of cooperativeness and respect among the members of the health team.

My Code of Ethics

I believe every patient has the right to be treated as an individual. Every one has the right to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of sex, race or religion. I do understand there are sometimes individuals are not in a capacity to make decisions for them self, but outside of this instant I do think all should be given the opportunity to be involved in their care decisions. I want to be a patient advocate!