In the care of patients, nurses play a significant role, especially bedside nurses. From taking notes of their patient’s condition to assisting, bedside nurses stay next to their patients. But is this it? Ever wondered what else a nurse could do or is supposed to do?
Bedside nursing is not just about it. It involves crucial care. A nurse records everything about the patient’s health condition, takes care of their needs, assists the physician with the treatment, and gives the patient emotional support. A nurse tries their best to deliver answers to every patient or their family question to help them understand their condition.
But the question here is, how do you do it? This article will tell you everything you need to know to maximize the impact of your bedside nursing.
Take Complete Assessments
Except for taking notes of vital signs of temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure, the assessment also involves physical examination, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. A responsible nurse never skips any of this.
As for the frequency of this assessment, they should take it after every four hours. However, if the patient is unstable, check them after every two hours of duration.
To understand your patient’s condition well, you need to inquire about their physical condition closely. Bedside nursing gives you experience in patient care and makes your foundation strong.
Listen Closely to Your Patient
To become a competent bedside nurse, you have to become a good listener first. You need to identify your patient’s needs. During assessments, ask your patient about any discomfort they might feel anywhere in their body.
Communication is the key. To better understand what your Patient needs, you should frequently ask questions. These questions should be about their surgical history or if they have any allergies or smoking/drinking habits. You can also ask some general questions to make them feel better.
Patients who are not likely to get better make their stay comfortable. Make general conversations with them to brighten their mood. A dedicated bedside nurse always prioritizes their patient’s needs.
Master Bedside Nursing Manners
During your nursing, there are some bedside manners you need to adapt. These manners will help you develop a good relationship with your patient.
When talking to your patient, give your complete attention to them. It shows how much you respect your patient. Never interrupt and let them finish when they are trying to describe their condition.
You can also show respect with your body language and maintain eye contact with the patient while talking. Asking questions to your patient while looking at a computer or any file will make your patient feel uncomfortable and ignored. They will not be able to communicate well if you seem uninterested or busy.
Administer Medications Precisely
Another role of a bedside nurse is the administration of medications to their patient. An ideal bedside nurse gives proper attention to when and how to give medication to the patient. It is their responsibility to give medications on time.
This act involves giving a prescribed dose through the correct route. A bedside nurse also prepares documentation of the medication and how the patient is responding to them.
Therefore, to upgrade your skill, you must not take anything lightly. This profession involves serious care, and there is no space for mistakes as it is associated with a patient’s life.
Think beyond the Obvious
A bedside nurse should have the ability to think critically. A nurse is also responsible for emergency treatment. Pay attention to every detail to diagnose precisely so you can treat right away.
Plan for any future signs of health deterioration. It should not happen but prepare yourself for the worst situation. Think ahead about how you will aid the patient in an emergency call.
Technical Skills
A nurse should be able to use technology related to patient care. Good command of computers, in-room equipment, diagnostic equipment, and specialty equipment are some fundamental skills for a registered nurse.
During your time in practice, you encounter several pieces of equipment. But you will not be using all of them since different specialties require different devices. Automated IV pumps, ventilation, blood gas monitoring, and glucometer are fundamental devices every nurse uses.
Sooner or later, you have to learn other devices related to your specialty. Therefore, you should incline interest in this area from the start to elevate your nursing skills.
Make it simple for the patient
It’s necessary to inform the patient about their health condition. Notifying them about their treatment plan is also crucial. It’s not a clever idea to explain them in classical medical language. The patient will not understand even half of it. Make things simple and use general terms to describe their diagnosis and treatment procedures.
Help them understand what is beneficial for their health and what is not. It will make your patient cooperate with you.
Act Confident in all Situations
Present yourself as the professional nurse that you are. It’s crucial to show the patient your knowledgeable side. A patient will never feel at ease if they have no confidence in their nurse.
Maintain a good relationship but always act professionally. It will help your patient put their trust in you. Moreover, it is a thoughtful idea to use honorifics with your patient but keep the soft tone maintained.
Conclusion:
The profession is always challenging as nurses provide every essential care. But the practice of bedside nursing is advantageous for registered nurses (RN). They gain valuable experience that helps them grow in their career. The American Nurses Association predicts an increase of 9% in employment opportunities for the nursing profession from 2016 to 2026.
The nursing profession has become a requirement for patients, and you can never exaggerate it. The bedside nurses aid their patients physically and mentally. They help their patients survive the worst with intensive care and moral support.
You can become a competitive nurse if you develop all these qualities in your practice. Remember to do your job with dedication, kindness, compassion, and humanity in your mind. And you will never fail to provide the purpose.