Author: alexander.687

Advice for Dealing with Difficult Patients

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There are many challenges that come with being a nurse, but even after almost four and a half years, I find difficult patients and families one of the hardest aspects to the job. For new nurses, it is definitely something that takes getting used to. From my own personal experiences, here are some best practices that can help you to have a fair mindset when dealing with difficult patients.

First and foremost, remember that being a patient is not easy for any patient.  I think I have said this in prior posts, but always remember they are at their most vulnerable when they are in need of care.  Just like those days when we were strung out about our Health Assessment exam and we may have taken it out on friends or family, the same thing applies to patients when they are sick!  For example, a patient has been hospitalized for almost a month now, or they just found out they need open heart surgery – they are dealing with a whole mix of emotions!  Whenever a patient is taking their feelings out on me, I always try to remember that I have never been in their shoes (which is a good thing!), and that they likely don’t mean to be this way and are probably just doing their best to make it home.

There’s different kinds of “difficult”; there’s the literally difficult patient where everything you say or do doesn’t make them happy; there’s the rude, inattentive patient who gets irritated by your upbeat presence; there’s the depressingly go-with-the-flow patient who doesn’t care if you give them water or juice with their morning meds; and, yes, there’s even the physically difficult patient that providing care to them is an hour-long process because there’s so much to do for them, needing one thing after the other.  I’m also sure there’s many more different scenarios that I have even yet to come across that is classified as a difficult patient.  It’s helpful to remember that it wouldn’t matter if you went into hospitality management or business, it’s just a part of the job.  There are a lot of things we sign up for by becoming nurses, and difficult patients, and families too, are one of them.

I find that the families are the harder part to deal with, namely because they like to speak up for the patient.  It is very well the case that Mrs. Smith knows what is best for your patient, Betty, her mother, because she provides care for her at home as her caregiver, us as nurses just have to know how to deal, which truly comes with experience.  The best piece of advice I can say in such situations is to keep a smile on your face and a calm attitude and not let it affect the care you are providing to your patient.  I have been victim in the past for letting my frustrations show at times (and I always end up feeling terrible about doing so!) when a patient’s family member is asking a million questions during a discharge when all I want to do is send them home and get back to the millions of things else I have to do!  In this particular case, especially when discharging a patient, making sure they know everything that is expected of them and have all their needs taken care of is extremely important – this is usually why people are readmitted to the hospital – so I always try to remind myself of that because at the end of the day, your patient’s health and safety falls in your hands!

There are so many more situations and specific examples I can talk about, but I’ll keep it short for now.  As aforementioned, most aspects to this profession come with experience and patience truly is a virtue :). Just remember, no matter how difficult a patient was for you, nursing is still the most rewarding thing to do!

Sydney Adelstein is a 2016 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing.

What It’s Like to Be a Nurse Working on the Front Lines of COVID-19

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The last six months have held some of the most difficult moments in my nursing career. When Covid-19 began its conquest in March, I was recovering from a surgery and was on light duty. I spent March on light duty at the Covid-19 Call Center, where I triaged patients, students, and staff and determined if they required testing. While I thought that light duty would be easy work, this was far from it. Each day I spoke to healthcare workers exposed in the line of duty, panicked parents, and anxious students. I remember speaking with one woman for about a half hour, as she tearfully told me about her employer forcing them to come to the office for non-essential work and refusing to let staff stay home if they get tested. She shared her worry for her job, her fear of getting her family sick, and her feelings of helplessness. I wanted so much to reach through the phone and hug her, and I couldn’t. I felt helpless. I helped empower her; arranging for her to get tested, provided instructions for infection prevention at home, and gave her the Ohio Department of Health’s number to report the unsafe work environment.

When I was cleared to return to work, it was a huge shock. The hallways, once bustling with patients being wheeled to appointments by family and staff powerwalking to the cafeteria on their break, were empty. I imagined a tumbleweed blowing across the hallway, bringing a faint smile to my face under my mask.

Because I’m in the Critical Care Float Pool, I float to all of the ICUs and the ED. In the “Before Times”, before Covid, I was already taking care of the sickest patient populations in the hospital. Covid brought even sicker patients. Even patients who didn’t have Covid were sicker; they had been holding off on seeking care due to fear of catching the virus, finally arriving to the hospital sicker than ever. I will never forget one day when I was a resource nurse in the ED. When I resource, I help triage new patients, care for stroke alerts, traumas, and code blues. I am an extra set of hands. Within thirty minutes, I ran to help intubate a patient in status epilepticus, ran to help with a burn trauma that just arrived, but was pulled into another trauma bay to help code a patient with a probably pulmonary embolism who had gone unresponsive en route to the hospital. After stabilizing that patient, I was pulled to the other side of the ED to help with another intubation. I remember walking out of work that day letting tears quietly roll down my cheeks. When I reached my car, I released the sobs that had been growing inside me all day. I felt panicked; helpless. Was this what it would be like? Intubations, codes, traumas, strokes, all at the same time? How would we help everyone? I sobbed on the phone with my parents my entire drive home. I purged myself of my scrubs as soon as I got home and took a hot shower. I sat on my couch holding my cat, Bingley. He wrapped his paws around my neck and licked the tears from my cheeks. His constant purring calmed me. I reflected on that day, and I still do. I am so grateful that I was there in that role to help the patients and my coworkers. Most of the units have started having a resource nurse each day to help with the increased acuity and complex patient needs.

Withdrawing care on a Covid patient and not being allowed to bring family to the bedside was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done in my career. I stayed with the physician while she called the family to tell them that the patient was Covid positive and would not be allowed visitors in her final hours. I cried with the physician as she told them- it was awful. We were determined to allow every family member time with the patient. I used a hospital tablet to contact family via FaceTime and Zoom, making sure everyone had a chance to say goodbye. Pastoral care provided the family with prayers, and we all prayed together. I used my Spotify to play classic gospel in the room, her favorite. I used lavender essential oil to calm the room. I was able to be singled with her for my shift, so I sat in the room with her and held her hand so she wouldn’t be alone. I was joined by the physician, who stayed after her shift to hold her other hand. That day, I felt overwhelming support; support from the physician who was so attentive  and involved in the patient’s care, the charge nurse, who allowed me to be singled with the patient, the floor staff, who frequently checked in on me in the isolation room to see if I needed supplies, and the management, who provided the tablets to call family.

I became an aunt on May 27th. I have looked forward to being an aunt for so long; I pictured all of the amazing adventures I’d take my niece on- hiking, camping, kayaking. I love babies and I was so excited to place my finger in her tiny hand and feel her fingers curl around it. I was excited to brush my fingertip up the bottom of her foot and watch her tiny toes fan out in the Babinski reflex. I was excited to cradle her to sleep in my arms and guard her dreams as she slept. Last week, I met my beautiful niece for the first time. I gazed adoringly at her through the storm door at my sister’s house, hands pressed against the glass. I was outside, looking in at my sister, my brother-in -law, my parents, and our dog, Eddie. I wanted so badly to hug them all, but I couldn’t. It’s too risky right now. Despite the heartache, I am glad I went. I got to make sure my family was safe and healthy and meet my niece.

Back in May, I became unable to leave my bed or the couch on my days off work. I put in the bare minimum effort- going to work, completing schoolwork, and attending online meetings and lectures. I constantly took naps and wasn’t doing any of the activities I normally did. I was depressed. I started new medication to help my symptoms and it’s going well so far. I’ve started cycling more; putting in about 50 miles per week. I’ve been working on my garden and my patio, creating an oasis for days off work to relax. I don’t see having to start a new medication as a failure, I see it as an accommodation that is necessary under these circumstances. With my mental health back in check, I can take on most anything.

I’ve never felt closer to my coworkers. We see a side of Covid that most don’t.  We’re all going through the same experiences- the collective anguish and joy we’ve experienced brings us together. We cry together when we lose a patient and we smile together when our patients get better. We keep each other smiling throughout the day, through bad puns, quiet music at the nurses station, and perfecting the “air high five”. We’re in it together, and together we’ll overcome.

Kate Best is a 2015 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing.

What It’s Like to Be a Nurse Working on the Front Lines of COVID-19

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Working through COVID-19. Honestly, I have no words to describe it. Although, when people ask me how things have been I tell them that here in Cleveland it hasn’t been like what is shown on television; and for that I am thankful. However, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been stressful and feel like a bad nightmare we cannot shake. It seems like that is what this whole year has been like for everyone.

There has been many changes, which are still ongoing and working through, and may be the hardest aspect of it all. For example, when the world started shutting down our visitor policy was restricted and no visitors were allowed. As cases started increasing, the visitor policies and our work environment began to shift. I can’t tell you how many emails I received regarding updates to the visitor policy. I would be lying if I said that it wasn’t nice for us to do our work distraction-free without the patient’s family members and friends. However, all I could think about was how hard it must have been for these patients to be in the hospital – some for very long periods – with the only human contact being via FaceTime (other than us). It has also been extremely hard to watch some patients pass away from COVID without their family members present. I watched my coworkers muster up courage to stand garbed in personal protective equipment holding the patient’s hand until they took their last breath as the patient’s family members were viewing virtually.

COVID-19 has taken a clear emotional and mental toll on everyone regardless of whether they work in health care or not. It hasn’t been easy donning and doffing 30 times a day or floating to other units to accommodate staffing changes, but even though right now it is hard to process this “coronavirus nightmare”, I hope this time next year life will be somewhat more back to normal and light can be shed. I do know that my love and passion for nursing has not been diminished, and if anything, my calling could not have been truer than ever, and I hope my fellow coworkers around the world feel the same way.

Sydney Adelstein is a 2016 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing.

Nine Qualities That All Great Nurses Share

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I have had the privilege of working among countless great nurses in my five years of Critical Care Nursing. I have benefited greatly from experienced nurses who trained me, passing along their knowledge and wisdom while also benefiting from the upbeat energy radiating from new nurses. Each brings unique skills that contribute to excellent patient care. I’ve decided to describe some of these qualities.

Compassion is the heart of nursing. We have compassion for our patients, finding ways to make them feel better on their worst day. We hold their hands when they’re scared and dab away their tears. We have compassion for their families, coming to console them when they break down in grief outside patient rooms. There are days that your heart breaks, and the compassionate understanding of your coworkers is the only thing that holds you together.

Inclusion means “to include”. A good nurse provides care to a diverse patient population, regardless of race, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. A great nurse actively seeks opportunities to learn about these populations and the disparities affecting their health and access to care. They acknowledge the existence of implicit bias and combat it. A great nurse sees the different cultures in their patient populations and celebrates them.

Innovation is an asset found in great nurses. Great nurses see weaknesses in processes and find ways to improve them. Great nurses scour medical journals and databases seeking high quality evidence to incorporate into practice to improve patient outcomes.

Sincerity A great nurse is sincere with patients and their families. They avoid the scripted responses so often heard and speak from the heart. They are authentic in their interactions with patients and their families.

Ownership is a quality found in great nurses. They understand all of their responsibilities and strive to surpass expectations. They take pride in their practice, endeavoring to improve shortcomings because it is a representation of themselves.

Wisdom comes with experience and is a quality shared by many great nurses. Wisdom is the knowledge accumulated over time. A great nurse can be presented with a patient and recall a similar situation and the treatment process. It needs to be shared among nurses, physicians, and other members of the care team.

Communication is a key quality of great nurses. Therapeutic communication must be used with patients and peers. Additionally, great nurses know when to be assertive; when to express concern to the care team. A great nurse communicates clearly and concisely, reducing error and mismanagement in delivery of care.

Critical Thinking is a hallmark of a great nurse. Critical Thinking skills are not developed overnight; they are learned over time with each new experience. Great nurses understand the effects of medications and treatments on their patients, noting potential hazards, interactions, and more. They think beyond an order and understand the ripple-effect it may have on their patient.

Humor is something all great nurses must have. There are many different types of humor I’ve encountered when working among great nurses. While sarcasm seems to be the international language of nurses, it is not the only type found in great nurses. Great nurses find ways to make patients smile, from drawing silly cartoons on patient’s doors to a running commentary on the Jerry Springer show. Laughter is, after all, the best medicine.

I’ve just reached my fifth year in Critical Care nursing. From day one, I was surrounded with great nurses. I’m inspired daily by my coworkers- the new grad who can always start conversations with the most guarded of patients; the nurses who are champions of wellness, doing twenty squats each hour at the nurse’s station; the Emergency room nurse who radiates hilarity with each breath they take; the nurse who singlehandedly researched and implemented a policy change; and the nurse who totes a shampoo bin throughout the unit to make patients feel a little bit more like themselves- They exemplify greatness and their example is invaluable to me.

Kate Best is a 2015 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing.

5 Things I wish Patients Understood About Their Nurse

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  1. We’re Okay with it All – I mean this literally. I have had many patients who profusely apologize for having to walk them to the bathroom, or give them medications for embarrassing symptoms, or because I have to clean up their accidental episode of incontinence. Patients should know their nurse does not mind doing what may be gross or embarrassing because it’s what we signed up for when becoming nurses. I always tell my patients, verbatim, to “not be silly and that’s what I’m here for.” We do these things to make sure they are safe, well and cared for. Personally, I feel like these every day doings are the epitome of nursing.
  2. We’re the Eyes, Ears and Voice – I feel like this is a norm of nursing that has been widely adopted and understood. Even patients have assumed a greater appreciation for their nurses but for those that haven’t, I wish they knew we’re so much more than medication givers and pooper scoopers. There’s more than what meets the eye when it comes to taking care of them. Most of it happens when we are outside of their room — we are the ones who vouch for them when we see something transpiring; we make sure they have food to eat long after the kitchen staff has left; we are the ones who usually end up giving a more understood & reassuring update to their family. I’ve found that at the end of the day, most patients are aware of who we are and ALL of what we do, and it’s always fulfilling when they realize that.
  3. We’re Constantly Putting Them First – This one goes in hand with number two, but there’s more to be said about the selfless heart we put into being a nurse. For example, many nurses are having other people watch and help raise their children so they can work multiple 12-hour shifts. Many nurses go without a lunch or a bathroom break in a timely manner due to all the tasking; and how about those nurses who end up clocking an extra hour because they made sure their patient had everything they needed before they went to go take care of their family. A lot of the time, we’re in the middle of lunch and have no choice but to go and help clean up a patient; we take away a lot of our well-deserved personal time for our patients, not only because we have to, but because it’s who we are. Our selfless skill is always reinforced when those patients who do understand these things make it known and are forever grateful to us (my most memorable keepsakes are letters from patients ☺︎).
  4. We’re Doing the Best We Can – At times, patients may seem like they have no patience themselves (pun intended). Classic situation being, they’re constantly on the call light every three minutes because you didn’t come back with Tylenol for their headache, which to them is the BIGGEST deal and in their world, it is. When patients are in the hospital, they are at their most vulnerable. I know textbook world makes it seem like everything gets done as soon as it’s needed, but that’s far from the reality of nursing. Depending on the floor & the patient acuity, tasks add up and even the simplest things take longer than we envision (I can’t tell you how many times a “simple” med pass has taken me almost an hour to do because my patient’s IV blew). As much as it’s frustrating to us they don’t see our extensive to-do list, it’s far more frustrating when it takes longer for us to return with their dire need. Every one of our patients has a right to be taken care of in a timely manner, so it should be a daily priority to reassure your patients that you’re truly doing the best you can to attend to their every need (within reason ☺︎).
  5. This is Far from the Easiest Job, but the Most Rewarding – Since most of you reading this haven’t experienced the aforementioned yet, know there are a gazillion more reasons in addition to the above which factor into why being a nurse is far from easy, so I’ll cut to the chase. We do and see gross things, we watch people take their last breath & families grieve, we use our every last breath to save their life, but the nurses who are in this profession for the right reasons don’t mind at all. For all the downs/stress/angst/etc, there is always more good. Although cliché, there is a mutual reciprocity in terms of touching someone’s life: our patients make just as much a difference in their nurse’s life as we do in theirs. In another life, I would choose being a nurse over and over again. For patients to know this about their nurse it should be exceptionally comforting.

Sydney Adelstein is a 2016 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing.

Coping with COVID

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With the ominous threat of COVID-19 looming over us, it’s hard to think about much else. Nurses are known for having Type A personalities- having detailed and regimented plans for each day. With the ever changing guidelines and protocols related to COVID, it’s hard to plan. This has led to a lot of feelings of frustration and helplessness in myself, and I suspect many others. During these unprecedented times, it’s important to reclaim your sense of control.
I’ve been able to grasp some control in these times through arbitration. While I can’t go hiking with my friends, I can Facetime them while at the park. While I can’t meet up with coworkers for a night out, I can meet them online and play games together. While I can’t throw my sister the baby shower I’d originally planned, I can organize a virtual baby shower. Our sacrifices now-the things we are giving up through physical distancing- will be so worth it in the end, as each time we choose to distance ourselves, we help flatten the infection curve.
Before COVID, I was having regular visits with my counselor to use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help combat my anxiety. I’ve found relief in practicing CBT because it allows me to “reframe” my perceptions that are often clouded by anxiety. Despite COVID, I am still able to meet online with my counselor. Employees at OSU also have access to the Employee Assistance Program as well as the Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (S.T.A.R) team. Working from home, combined with inconsistent work hours has been a detriment to my sleep. I’ve actually found that OSU has free guided imagery online. I’m planning to use this before bed to help clear my mind of all the intrusive and stressful thoughts covid has released. Students at OSU have access to Counseling and Consultation Services, which is currently offering phone and Zoom appointments. These are all great options to help combat the stress we’re experiencing.
Lately, I’ve received countless emails and social media posts regarding “ways to beat” COVID-19. I try to remember that not everyone has taken an Evidence-Based Practice course and they may not be able to distinguish between someone’s opinions and observations and high quality evidence. Most recently, my Dad sent me an “article” that stated it was from a well-established and respected hospital system. As I read the document, it became apparent to me that there were no citations present, either in text or at the bottom. The document was also littered with grammatical errors. Had this been an actual study or official guideline, it would have been proof-read prior to publication and it would certainly have citations linked to high quality data. I determined this was another case of misinformation and encouraged my family to use official recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) for evidence-based recommendations.
Throughout these difficult times, it is imperative that we practice self care. If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or fearful, don’t be afraid to reach out. Chances are, someone else is feeling the same way. In times like these, we must band together. We might not agree with each other when it comes to politics or taste in music, but this is something we need to have a unified front on. We need to put our differences aside and come together for our patients, families, and communities. I leave you with a quote from the ever-wise J.K. Rowling, as expressed through Albus Dumbledore, “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

Kate Best is a 2015 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing.

How Nurses Can Inspire Their Patients to Take Better Care of Themselves

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I’m sure we’ve all heard the saying that goes something like, “you have to take care of yourself first before you can take care of other people”. This goes for many things in life: nurses, our relationships, and even  caregivers for a family member. While this applies to nurses, it is just as important for our patient’s because the aforementioned situations likely apply to them too.

In my personal experiences as a nurse, I have watched myself develop a very thick skin and straightforward attitude with my patients. For example, I work in a cardiac step down unit where heart attacks and open-heart surgeries are a hot commodity. Recently I had a patient who wasn’t even in their 40s who came in with classic chest pain, heart attack symptoms and ended up having cardiac bypass surgery in order to save their life. In such a situation, this patient required understanding the extent of their condition, especially when they were asking to go outside for a cigarette; which can be hard for some nurses to allow, especially if they are new.

This is the perfect case scenario where I end up laying it out on the line to my patients about the type of care they need to be providing to themselves: letting them know how lucky they are to have been saved, and this requires a very firm standpoint in the patient-nurse relationship. In turn, it instills trust in you as their nurse, but also gives a higher degree of hope that patients will take care of themselves. In a lot of these situations, I use my own personal life experiences, especially if I think it will help get through to them. Relating to your patient’s initiates a very sound relationship with them. Sharing personal experiences to relay a message about good health can be effective.

My other life motto as a nurse is that we truly should practice what we preach. In order to do this as a nurse  ideally it requires us to take good care of ourselves, which in turn is putting yourself first. Even though our patients have the right and expectation for us to educate them on their conditions, the role may not be taken as seriously if the nurse does not appear to be practicing good health and wellness themselves. For example, if you’re educating your patient on living a healthy lifestyle – not smoking, exercising daily, eating healthy – but you aren’t applying this advice into your daily life, not only does it contradict the care you are providing, but patient’s might be less likely to change their own behaviors. Another example would be to share a fitness or nutrition journey. Discussing the challenges and accomplishments might inspire them to make a change for themselves.

Lastly, this also means that we need to allow ourselves the proper self-care so that we can always be on our A-game at work.  Every year around the time of my birthday I take at least a whole week off so that I can just relax, get some personal things done, and have time to myself away from work. I can enjoy myself and not forget how much I love that! With that being said, don’t be afraid to be your patient’s savior, eat your fruits and vegetables, make time to exercise, and take time to yourself, especially if you need it – and don’t be afraid to need it! 🙂

Sydney Adelstein is a 2016 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing.

Preparing for the NCLEX

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As I reflect on my senior year of nursing school, there was a lot of angst and stress surrounding the NCLEX exam. I had been told that statistically those who take the exam close after graduation perform the best, so I scheduled my exam about a week after graduation.
It was the culmination of four years of undergraduate studies. I was required to purchase the ATI program for school, so that was my first step in studying.
There were only certain ATI tests we were required to complete for classes, but I took advantage of all of the exams offered, completing and reviewing each one at least once. This allowed me to identify areas of study that I needed to review more.
One of the most helpful things I did to prepare for the NCLEX was attend a Mark Klimek two-day review course. Several of my classmates split a hotel room in Springfield and attended the class together. The course was an excellent way to identify important elements from each course and commit them to memory. It also provided us with two review books, which we could study afterward.
Once I had completed the Mark Klimek NCLEX review and identified the areas I needed to improve on the most, I settled into a booth at Panera day after day and reviewed lessons, notes, and resources. The day before I took the exam, I did not study. I gave myself a full day of rest and relaxation in preparation. I made sure my mind and body were well nourished and rested before the exam.
I took the exam on a Friday, meaning I would have to wait the whole weekend before finding out my results. My exam shut off after 75 questions. I think that everyone that experiences this thinks they failed. I was devastated- I thought, “gee, it only took 75 questions to prove I’m stupid.” In retrospect, this was my test anxiety speaking. I ate my feelings when I got home, crushing an entire Dutch apple pie over the next day. As Monday arrived and I emerged out of my shame-filled cocoon, I received my results. I passed. I was an RN!
I learned a lot from the experience of preparing for and taking the NCLEX- not just not to eat a whole pie for three meals a day. Don’t do it. My test anxiety had been my nemesis for so long. Later into my nursing career, as I prepared for the CCRN certification exam, I was able to combat my anxiety. Sitting in the exam room, I was able to refocus myself. Just tell yourself, “I’ve put in years of study for this- I’ve done the time, I know what I’m doing.” These positive affirmations were crucial to my success in the CCRN examination.
In a little over a year, I’ll be preparing for the APRN boards exams. Will I be scared? Of course. Will I be prepared? You betcha. I’ll be well rested going into the exam, having given my brain rest after reviewing coursework. Will I eat an entire pie afterward? NO!
If I can leave you with anything, it’s that you’ve got this. You put in the time- just sit back, relax, and breath. You’ve got it!

Kate Best is a 2015 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing.

Practicing Wellness During the Holidays

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It’s funny that I’m writing this topic on gift giving, as I just finished all my holiday shopping and boy do I have to say it was stressful, but I did it anyway. That’s the key to keeping your cool during the holiday season when multiple priorities end up on your plate; ideally the same type of prioritization we have to do at work. Since it can be pretty tricky to keep our cool when it comes to overindulging on holiday foods, I try to keep the same mind set and control that I do when it’s not holiday season.
Even though I enjoy spending the holidays with family and friends, I always tell myself that it really is just another day but by all means don’t skip out on that potluck at work :). I carry out my same regimen of working out before work (day shift and night shift) even on the holidays because I belong to a gym that is open on the holidays so I can hold myself accountable. Sticking to my normal every day routine, within reason, on my off days and holidays allows me to handle the stresses during this time of year a little bit easier in order to maintain my wellness.
As I may have mentioned in previous posts that our wellness – physical and mental – is of the utmost importance as nurses, allowing us to provide the best care to our patients, and I believe that goes to say for the holidays as well. Sometimes it is hard to not be entwined with family and swallow the fact we’re missing time with them. I find it helps to either keep my phone on Do Not Disturb or let my family know I will have very little time to talk, allowing my FOMO to lessen just a bit. It also helps that most work places allow us to work every other holiday so it makes up for missed time. Just remember that work comes first and keeping in mind that nice holiday pay you’re making, makes it a little less stressful when you finally have time to do your holiday shopping you may have missed out on the holiday before. 🙂

Sydney Adelstein is a 2016 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing. 

The Hunt is On!

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As I reflect on the early days of my nursing career, I remember the anxiety and indirection I felt stepping into the world of nursing. There were so many different specialties and directions I could go in. Prior to graduating, I already had several steps in place to assist with the job hunt.
Fall semester of my senior year in college, I decided to trade in my server apron for green scrubs. I wanted to expand as many skills as I could before graduating. While being a hostess/server/busser in a restaurant in my hometown was an excellent first job that gave me tons of multi-tasking and memory skills, I needed to dive into nursing. I applied for several jobs as a Skilled Nurse Assistant (SNA) within the Columbus area. Through the interview process, I got to shadow a lot and see which fields I liked and which ones I wasn’t particularly fond of.
It was during this job search that I discovered an excellent opportunity. There were Safety Coaches, who sat with patients to ensure their safety, and SNAs, who assisted with daily cares. This position was an “SNA/sitter”, a combination of the two. I was excited because clinicals and STNA certification had given me experience with daily activities and skills but being a sitter or Safety Coach would allow me a venue to utilize therapeutic communication and de-escalation skills. These were stills we didn’t get to use often in the busy clinical setting. I jumped on the opportunity.
I maintained this position throughout my senior year. Around March of my senior year in nursing school, I began applying for RN positions. I made a big list of areas that I liked from clinicals and areas I couldn’t see myself working. I knew I wanted to work inpatient so I could further improve my clinical skills. The age demographics I preferred were babies and adults. I absolutely loved my post-partum clinical- I could sit and rock babies all day! I worried that I might disservice myself by going into such a specialist area right after graduation. I decided to stick with adults. I then became aware of a new opportunity within my very own department. There was a pilot plan of sorts to introduce new grad nurses to the Critical Care Nursing Float Pool. If I had learned one thing about myself by then, it was that I learn best by diving head first. As I thought about it, I became more enthusiastic about it. There would be so many new skills to learn and master! I would be able to compile endless information in my mind about the new medications, diseases, and treatments. I applied.
I knew there would be a lot of applicants for the position, so I made sure I had two or three backup plans in place. I applied and interviewed for positions in the CVICU at Cleveland Clinic, the Critical Care Fellowship at Riverside, and many more.
On graduation day, I got the phone call that I had been accepted as one of the two first new grads in the Critical Care Float Pool. I accepted the offer and I’ve never turned back!
In summary, get experience. Find out what your passions are. Pursue your goals but have a backup plan. You got this!

Kate Best is a 2015 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing.