I don’t know about any of you, but as a nurse-in-training, I was not told of the differences between “textbook nursing” and “real world nursing.” Oh sure, I got the occasional forewarning: “it won’t be like this in the real world.” This statement could not be more correct! There are several tips and tricks that are learned in the field of nursing that can save you precious, life-saving minutes. And, other times, we, nurses, often find ourselves cutting corners a little too closely. Either way, here’s a list of real-life nursing situations or issues that are different than the way the textbook way of doing things!
1. Bath Blankets
In our first semester of nursing school, we’re always trained to keep our patients modestly covered while bathing them by using “bath blankets.” I have never seen a “bath blanket” in all my nursing years. Chances are, if you ask for one, the staff will look at you like you have three heads. Use a towel or sheet.
2. Double-gloving
I learned the hard and smelly way that wearing multiple pairs of gloves in certain situations is a good idea. Two situations that I find this technique especially useful for are: C. Diff code browns and dressing changes that involve the use of betadine.
3. Mitered Corners
Be honest. How many of you have mitered a corner since graduating nursing school? Seriously, tuck it all in under the mattress and move on.
4. Hand Washing
Hand hygiene isn’t where we need to cut corners. Fortunately, the proper use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers has saved us. But I, like many others, am guilty of not singing the entire “happy birthday” tune every single time that I wash my hands. It just doesn’t happen all the time. But I try!
5. No tourniquet!
What? But that’s step so-and-so on page 312 of Introduction to Nursing Skills! Not all intravenous therapy can be started using a tourniquet. In some cases, it will cause the vein to blow.
6. Patients are always compliant…
…NOT! As a student, it seemed our patients were always compliant with treatment. Whether it be a heart healthy diet or taking medications as prescribed, our patients were the picture of health. Unfortunately, many times it is the opposite in real life, and that makes caring for our patients difficult.
7. Foley catheters
Foley catheterization is one skill that is nothing like the books tell you. Catheter insertion on a female is seriously difficult sometimes. Do yourself a favor, and have an extra kit at the ready.
8. There is no black and white.
Absolutely nothing in nursing is black and white–not even lab results. Everything is a shade of gray. Textbooks make it seem simple, but it isn’t. The human body and mind are very complex; therefore, nursing is too. Keep an open mind and learn to think critically.
9. Short-staffing
Textbook scenarios are based in a perfect world with perfect nurse-patient staffing ratios. Unfortunately, this means that, sometimes, mistakes are made. Medications are late, ice isn’t passed promptly, and patients become disgruntled. It isn’t a perfect world with perfect staffing.
10. You will not be 100% prepared for an emergency…
…because you will never have the same scenario play out twice. And that’s okay. No two people are alike. This is how we learn and grow as medical professionals. With our experiences, we gain the knowledge we need to become better nurses and save lives more efficiently the next time around.
So, there are ten real-life nursing situations that stick out the most to me. It’s more interesting than textbook nursing! What other differences can you name?
Gotta ask, during nursing school, do they let you deal with real life patients, or only training dolls?
I didn’t do much with mannequins at all. Mostly real people :))
Hi, starting out as a new rn soon. Very worried because mentors are not always assigned. How to prepare myself if I don’t get one and how to decrease all my fears of doing what I was trained to do?
Hey Keisha, I’ve been a nurse for about 6 years now and while I feel MUCH more comfortable than I did as a new nurse, honestly I still see new things all the time. There is so much nuance in the medical field it’s impossible to know it all, no matter what anyone tells you they don’t. I think it’s important to remember that we all felt scared as new nurses, honestly I’d be more concerned if you didn’t. Do you mean you’re not assigned a nurse to follow for orientation? Because you should receive 3 months of orientation where someone will be helping you. After you’re officially “on your own” you’re never really on your own, there will be CNAs that can be really helpful with showing you how some of the equipment works, a charge nurse that you can go to if you have a question, and other nurses. I find that being friendly, showing humility, and offering to help other people on the unit when you can will make others more likely to help you, because even the most veteran of nurses will need your help at some point (to sign off on some meds or lift a heavy patient). Don’t worry, it’s nerve racking at first and you will soon learn not to freak out or even call the doctor if a patient’s BP is 140/85. It’s all part of the process but you should never feel like you’re alone on the floor. Good luck, it’s a tough time to join the field!