November 27th 2011
It's been a while since my first blog, many issues (including writers block!) have proved to be the cause.
I have recently been considering the update of the student nurse ward information pack. I, along with three other colleagues am a qualified mentor. This is a position I take seriously as part of my nursing role, as we are duty bound to help students in their development to become holistic and safe practitioners.
A student pack is often given to a student on their initial visit to a ward, when they come to introduce themselves, find out where to hang their coat and get their first week off-duty. It gives them a first impression which needs to be effective, without intimidating and informative, without patronising. I am grateful for the input of colleagues, including those within the multi-disciplinary team to contribute ensuring any student can fall into the ward routine as quickly and stress-free as possible.
Its not so long ago I was a student on this ward, and I can still remember the anxiety before (each) placement began regarding the work, patient group, staff, student role. I want the experience our students have to be a positive one that they take away with them in their short term student, and long term nursing career.
September 1st 2011
I've been back to work since my maternity leave now for 3 months. This is the first Wednesday night shift I have done since working out which was the best pattern to juggle work/home commitments.
Tonight I am working with staff I haven't seen since this time last year when I went off for my extended maternity, and I am reminded of the real need in nursing for teamwork. It is a skill listed on most job descriptions, and I'm sure on many a CV, but I wonder how many people work in an environment where it is as essential as that on a busy (surgical) ward?
On reflection, tonight isn't too bad (so far!), however there have been a great number of occasions already where we have needed to consult one another for help. In some instances it is an essential part of our role eg: checking controlled/intravenous drugs, but it is the little extras that make working in a team worthwhile.
Our ward has patients with varying degree of need, we may have 'day case' surgical patients who require little in medications and hands on patient care. We also have patients who require all care, are fed via an NG tube and therefore need every medication either crushing or measuring out & administering individually as well as their hygiene needs attending to, and these patients often take 45mins-1hour prior to them settling for the night. This means we can often fall behind, and for a colleague to offer help once their patients have been settled is a blessing.
It could be argued that it is our duty of care to continue on with the patients not yet assisted, but sadly, I don't think all see it that way. That is just a simple example, we are a ward that sees its fair share of emergencies, and when the unexpected happens we all just get on with it and seem to instinctively know what needs doing, who is doing what etc.
I think teamwork is like a good marriage; you might not like each other all of the time but, when the going gets tough, you work for the common good and until the best outcome can be reached.