Dear Nurses: March 2009

NURSING SITUATIONS THAT COULD BE AVOIDED

Updated 8/25

Learn more about: The Operating Room

Dear nurses,

Nurses have a very responsible role to play in the
clinical setting.Typically nurses work to ensure
patient safety and create as secure a work
environment as possible.

Despite this, no one can predict when something
can go wrong. Below, new topics have been added.
Enjoy learning!

Scenario 1: Lynn is a new RN. Her preceptor did

not do a good job explaining the correct way to do
an assessment. Lynn is not aware of the mistake

she is about to make.

Learn more : Was an assessment done?

Learn more about : ARDS, DVT and PE

Learn more about: The Postoperative patient

THE ROLE OF THE RESPONSIBLE NURSE

Updated 8/26

Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

A nurse's priorities

When a nurse's priorities are wrong

In the image above, Jenna is a new nurse.
She has not fully understood the importance
of safe nursing practices.

Her desperation to be on time to meet a friend
for lunch, took priority over patient safety.

Jenna works in the ICU. The monitor alarm
of the patient in her care, was going off. She
made no attempt to check if something was
wrong.

It is important to understand that a patient who
is cared for in the ICU, requires a higher level
of care.

It is unfortunate Jenna did not prioritize.

Helpful information for the clinical nurse

In the image above, Lynn is a new graduate who
is full of expectation. She arrives early on her new
unit. But her hopes are shattered when her preceptor
suggested that she is too busy to do an orientation.

It is unfortunate, but this does happen on occasion.
Although Lynn is off to a rough start, there are some
things she can do to make her situation easier.
Learn more by clicking on the links below:

Diagnostic tests

Medical abbreviations

Avoiding Medication errors

The role of the Preceptor

A Preceptor has a very important role to play in
training new nurses. Typically, a nurse who is
assigned to this role, has a significant number of
years of experience and is able to utilize the learned
skills in a meaningful way.

The role of a preceptor often impacts the way a new
nurse sees the nursing profession and may even have
an effect on what is expected.