Starting off on a nursing career is a major task, involving many hours of study, certification, on-hands training, lab routines and much more. So when you finally get out of school, armed with your diploma or certification, your first objective is to look for a suitable job. With the right qualifications and attitude, it’s easy to get a job. There’ll be many people to tell you what to do in your nursing job and career. However, do you know what you should avoid doing in your job, or career? That’s what we aim to do, via this article.
1. Arriving Late At Work
No one likes a tardy employee, least of all a health care institution. Remember that when you are told to arrive by 8 A.M. you’ll be replacing the night nurse who’s desperate to get off duty, go home, and sleep. Every minute you delay will seem painful to him or her. You’ll also be compromising the care the outgoing nurse’s patients get the more you delay. Always be on time, and if unavoidably delayed, informed your senior nurse and the nurse whose shift you’re replacing.
2. Looking Un-groomed And Untidy
No one likes to work with a person who’s obviously not bothered to keep himself or herself presentable. Especially for a nurse, who is ethically bound to maintain a neat and hygienic appearance, arriving at work looking unkempt is the height of unprofessional-ism. Not only will your co-staff be offended, but also your patients. After all, how can they expect great care from a person who looks as though they don’t care about themselves?
3. Negating Your Seniors In Public
By all means contradict your seniors, but in a nice, diplomatic manner when you are alone with him or her. Never negate your senior’s instructions in front of patients, visitors, or other staff members. Not only can this cause huge embarrassment to your senior nurse, but also gives out bad vibes about the professionalism at your health care center. Your senior knows better than you do, and it’s best to follow instructions without argument. If you do feel very strongly that your senior might be wrong, approach him or her in private.
4. Dressing Inappropriately
For a nurse, dressing professionally and hygienically is an important aspect of his or her work. Always be attired in neat, matching scrubs that don’t show any unnecessary skin. Follow whatever dress code your employer mandates. Do not leave the top few buttons of your scrub’s tops undone, no matter how pretty your neckline is. Don’t wear garish, loud jewelry that can distract patients and get in the way of medical equipment. Don’t wear strong perfumes or colognes. And most of all, don’t highlight your hair in multiple colors. Nothing looks more unprofessional than a nurse that looks as though she’d be at home on the stage.
5. Discussing Inappropriate Subjects
Yes, we are all humans, and we all need some groupie time wherever we are. Both men and women seek out like minded people for a bit of gossip and chatter. However, when you are at work, you are a professional nurse whom everybody should respect. Don’t entertain talk on taboo subjects such as politics, religion, race, discriminatory talk, and most definitely stay away from gossip about co-staff, doctors and seniors. You never know who’s listening, or which one of your ‘friends’ will stab your back. Keep a smile on your face, go about your duties, and never entertain anything more than pleasant, casual, lighthearted conversation on acceptable subjects.
6. Backstabbing Others
It might feel tempting to sometimes sneak about someone else, especially if you feel that it might improve your chances of favor or promotion. If something is told to you in confidence, it’s to be kept in confidence. It’s best not to entertain confidences, but if you do happen to, then don’t sneak. Also never go behind someone’s back and say mean things about them. You might just be venting your emotions and never mean anything bad by it, but these are viable reasons for dismissal.
7. Being Vague And Unaccountable
When you are handed your job responsibilities, ask pertinent questions and always communicate your needs, doubts, and questions. Don’t take on a job without understanding what it entails, such as how to care for a particular patient, the patient’s allergies, and medical schedules and so on. If you seem vague, spaced out and not accountable, you will lose respect and pretty soon your job. Look alert, stay alert, and always clarify if you don’t understand. No one expects you to be superhuman; just don’t think you need to show yourself smarter than you are.
8. Don’t Lose Your Patience
In any kind of job, people have to deal with situations and other people that can tax them. This is where others can make out if you’re a true professional or if you’re a child pretending to be grown up. Don’t react to situations impulsively, when a patient is being sarcastic and testy, or when a co-worker decides to show their superiority, or even when you are put down by your senior nurse in front of everyone. Discuss things calmly and put them to shame, but you don’t lose control.
