Student nurse tips

The Nursing Site is run by Kathy Quan, an RN with 35 years of experience and a published author of seven books, including The Everything New Nurse Book and The Everything Guide to Caring for Aging Parents. On The Nursing Site blog, she writes about life-work balance, financial and legal issues related to nursing, product reviews, nursing advocacy, and more.

Nursetopia was founded by Joni Watson (RN, MSN, MBA), an oncology nurse and leader who is passionate about nursing and the impact nurses have on the world. In her “Confessions of a Nurse” series, she blogs about her own life and issues that affect all nurses; she also encourages the use of art and “gratitude stations” to create healthy work environments. She also runs an online shop through her blog where she sells health care themed greeting cards.

Nurse.org is a goldmine of thought-provoking content for nurses and nursing students. Blog articles focus on nurse advocacy initiatives, practical information about job outlook and pay, and the latest news impacting nurses around the world. Also featured on the website are career guides, hospital reviews, scholarship information, and a job board—making nurse.org so much more than just a top nursing blog.

You can NOT remove documents or falsify patient charts for any reason. You might think nobody is going to notice and you’re trying to avoid getting in trouble, let me tell you someone probably will notice.

You have to be your own advocate. If you don’t look out for yourself and take care of yourself, nobody else will. Look out for your best interest. And lastly…

Each facility has its own strict policy for how you can correct charting mistakes and errors. Make sure you know what you’re facility policy is.

This is an easy mistake to make and typically happens in hectic shifts or if you have patients with similar names. Figure out a pattern and try to stick with it because charting in the wrong patient’s chart “if it’s noticed in time” can be fixed, but it’s a hassle and creates more work for you.

Patient privacy is a big deal. Be careful where and when you’re charting and talking about patient information. Also while I’m at it please, please, please, stay off social media with patient information.

You would be shocked at the random abbreviations I’ll see nurses using in their notes. If it’s not joint commission approved, don’t use it. If your nurses’ notes were to go to court, you don’t want lawyers trying to interpret what you “meant to say.” If you need a refresher on what the current Joint Commission approved abbreviations are…you can check it out at the Joint Commission website.

Best practice for writing in any legal documents (which your paper charting is) is to use a blue or black pen ONLY. Some facilities might only let you use black ink. Make sure you know what your facility policy is.