The best nursing advice you've ever received

6 I was just thinking back to the advice and wisdom I'd received over the years and laughed at how true so much of it was!
Can anyone post the best nursing advice they've been given here?

Here are some of my favorites:

1. You control the room, the room doesn't control you
2. The best doctors are the ones who listen to nurses
3. Always trust your instincts
4. Never suction anything with your mouth open

Anyone else?
1. Never believe anything you hear, and only believe half of what you see.2. It is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.3. Keep your mouth shut, your nose clean, and watch your back.4. Machines lie. Look at the patient!

Never forget what it was like to be a student.

Late call to a nursing home, arrived at 1000 and no one had started morning meds....by noon I was fighting tears. Another nurse put her arm around my shoulders and told me "you have til 3pm to get this done, relax and just do what you can." Now when I find myself getting anxious about how much I have to do, I just remind myself of those wise words.

Don't wait to do something that you have time to do now, you never know when all heck is going to break loose.

From my mother:Never say anything on the radio/recorded line (or write in the chart) that you wouldn't mind hearing on CNN someday"

Always be prepared for the worst case scenario.

"When in doubt, pull it out".... best advice I have ever received. I apply it to my practice every day.

"people are alot harder to kill than you think, for the most part people really want to live." Advice given to me as a new grad when I was afraid to do anything because I thought I would kill the patient.

[quote=PetiteOpRN;4332367]1. Never believe anything you hear, and only believe half of what you see.quote]This was one of my mom's favorite sayings! Put a smile on my face when I read it. Mom also taught me not to repeat everything you hear. Great advice for any nurse.

- Treat the patient, not the numbers/machines.- If it isn't documented, it didn't happen.- If you have even a fleeting second thought about a drug, don't give it; recheck.- (ICU): Label all your lines, you won't have time to mess around when you need one in a hurry- (ICU): Make sure you have access to the head of the bed in case you need it in a hurry- (ICU): Know where your emergency equipment is in case you need it in a hurry

everyone makes mistakes. anyone who tells you they haven't is either lying or too stupid to realize they've made one.it's not whether or not you make a mistake, but what you do about it when you do. admit your mistake, then set about to mitigate the damage as much as possible.it's amazing what patients can survive. they'll survive most mistakes, but not attempts to cover up the mistakes you've made. anyone who thinks they know it all doesn't realize how much they don't know.

If you are not sure of a answer always ask the question...the only stupid question are the ones not asked and those are the ones that can lead to preventative mistakes.