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How to make your nurses happy provides simple steps on what to do to keep happy nurses and in turn, happy patients

1. Listen to Your Nurses– Understand that your nurses thrive when you listen to their opinions. You may not be able to act upon every opinion that is given but at least you give them a chance to be heard, which is what 99.9% of nurses want.

2. Treat Every Nurse Fairly: Every nurse deserves to be treated fairly whether or not you agree with what is being said. You may not realize it, but once in a position of leadership (or not), people are very observant of what you do or do not do. Make it a habit to be fair to all your nurses.

3. Treat Every Nurse with Respect: Fairness and respect go hand in hand. When you are fair to your nurses, you automatically want to treat them with respect. Respect is an emotional feeling, a sense of self that every one has. You show you respect nurses, through your interactions and the enforcement of the policies that you have in place.

Hello MNC,

Help precepting an older nurse! I recently came across your website and wanted to share my story. I am currently precepting an older nurse who is a recent graduate and it is no fun.

I started out on being her preceptor with an open mind and willing to show her the ropes. I am younger but have been a nurse for several years, at least much longer than my new orientee has been, which is zero!

I am mindful of the age gap and always respectful and professional in my communication with her as well as my co-workers.

This is a career change for her and I constantly get the feeling of being talked down to. An example of this is, the other day, I went to show her how to perform a new procedure and she completely shut me down saying, “I don’t need to know this right now, you can show me later.”

I was quite shocked and upset! This is a new orientee who should simply be learning the ropes and can do what she wants later. My co-workers think she is a PITA and I am beginning to think so too.

My supervisor asked me how things are going and I tell her, “very well”. I am wondering if I shouldn’t mention it to her because if this new orientee has a problem dealing with me because I am younger, she will definitely have problems on our unit as everyone is almost as young as I am.

Any suggestions?

Frustrated Preceptor

Nursing is not a calling…at least not for everyone. Too often we see nurses disrespect or look down on other nurses because they do not consider it a calling for them.

For some people, nursing is a calling but for others, it is simply a job. And one that they  do well to earn a living or a career at best. There is simply no need to look down on another or feel superior to them.

We should live and let live! The thing to concern yourself (if at all you need to), is whether or not they are doing a good job in giving personalized and effective care to their patients. Anything else is just drama!

Millennial nurses are often misunderstood. They have had much said about them from previous generations but when you really stop to think about, millennial nurses HAVE been misunderstood

Seven Ways you Misunderstand Millennial Nurses

• They ask questions: In previous generation of nurses, it was always the common thing to do what you are asked, with no questions asked. Not so, millennials! They want to understand the “why” of what they are doing. Makes more sense that way!
• They want more from employers: Millennial nurses understand that they owe their best work to their employers, and for that, they expect more from their employers to give their best work. None of the martyr for these nurses.
• They are not afraid to change jobs: If one job is not working, millennial nurses will not hesitate to change jobs. They know that employers are at will and hence no loyalty is owed.
• They are innovative: Millennial nurses are quick thinkers and innovative. They think up more ways of doing things faster and effectively than in by-gone days. Millennial nurses do not buy into, “this is how we have always done”. They question (see 1 above) why things cannot be done differently, if the way it has always been done is not working.

Dear MNC,

I have only been a registered nurse for one year but I am already burned out by the profession. The constant drama filled situations with other nurses.

-The constant negativity and need to tear each other down

-Management not having your back and ready to throw you under the bus if it would achieve a goal for them. “Friends” looking for a way to tear you down and the ungodly night shift hours. I am so done but feel completely depressed because I don’t know where to turn to now?

I am still young enough (23 years) that I can go back to school and choose another career, but I just feel that means I wasted the years and time spent on nursing.

What do I do?

Thanks,

Depressed Nurse

Dear Depressed Nurse,

Your letter leaves out some much needed answers but will try to respond as best as possible to your note.

Burn out can happen to anyone and the key is to quickly recognize it and find a solution before it consumes you, which you did!

But before you completely give up on the profession, I would suggest, if you haven’t already done so, to try a different specialty from what you are currently doing. Sometimes all it takes is a tweak to gain new energy.

Find a hobby outside of work to channel yourself and have something fun to look forward. At the end of it all, if you have done all this and still feel that nursing is not the profession for  you, then you will feel better for having given it a chance.

Best of Luck to you!

MNC