Introduction
While
nurses get paid a great amount of money, there are many stumbling blocks nurses
have to deal with while working in the health care field such as they are
exposed to many illnesses that could harm them, must deal with their emotions
during difficult times and they also have to deal with tyrannous parents.
Interesting Facts
Working
as a nurse can sometimes be hazardous. From common infections, such as
influenza to frightening diseases, such as Ebola, nurses treat patients with
all types of infectious conditions. Personal protective equipment is specialized
equipment or clothing use to protect nurses and patients from germs. PPE
includes gloves, gowns, goggles, masks and face shields. A surgical mask is
used to cover your nose and mouth and prevent germs from entering. In other
situations, a mask called a respirator may be required. A respirator fits
tightly and creates a seal around your nose and mouth, to prevent small
droplets from entering the body. Keep in mind that the respirators come in
different sizes. If nurses do not wear the correct size, they are not
protecting themselves. Brown (2014) mentioned that “Health facilities are
mandatory to fit test; do determine what size they should use”. If the Federal Occupational Safety and Health
Administration - also called "OSHA” come in and see that the nurses have
not done an annual fit test in their facilities, the facility could get shut
down. Nurses do not have to wear all equipment in every situation. Depending on
the type of germ or infections, they may need to wear different equipment. Keep
in mind, standard precautions apply to working with all patients regardless of
their condition. It is important to wear the right personal protective
equipment to keep themselves from becoming infected and to prevent spreading
illness. Knowing what type of personal protective equipment to wear in
different situations is essential for nurses.
Nurses
not only have to make sure they are taking care of themselves but also when
they are caring for ill children, they also must deal with emotional support
for both patients and their family members. No matter how much it distresses
them to see children suffering or parents worrying, nurses must stay strong and
remain calm. They also need to set boundaries so they will not let their
emotions hinder their judgements or their ability to care for the child. It’s
always difficult for a nurse to see a patient in pain or watch a patient die
especially a young patient. Many pediatric patients are frightened and
confused, and might be traumatized whether they’re suffering from a broken bone
or just received a cancer diagnosis. It is difficult for a nurse to look at a
child and see that they have a whole life seating right in front of them and
knowing that its nothing else they can do for the child. They often grieve the loss of a patient,
especially if they treated him for weeks or months and formed a relationship
with him/her family. Williams (2013, Nov. 07) noted that nurses also derive
emotional satisfaction from knowing they helped children and their parents
during a frightening or traumatic time. Even if the outcome is not what they
hoped for, they know they were there to offer great support, kindness and the
best care possible.
Not
only do nurses provide care and support to a patient but they also must deal
with parents that are excessively overbearing. In times of stress and worry,
emotions run high. Sometimes these feelings may be directed towards nurses.
Parents may feel that the nurses are not doing enough. They may feel that their
son or daughter in pain is not getting enough attention, even after the nurses
have administered the proper medications and treatment. According to Heuninckx
(2014, June. 19), Given the condition, make sure the parents are aware of all
the steps that are being taken to care for the child, “Tell the parents about
the vital signs and how they are within normal limits for the age of the child”.
The most important part is to tell the parents what to look for if the child
was in fact more sick. Teach them that if their child was acting this way, they
would immediately get the physician’s attention. Never tell the parent that their
child is just fine, the doctor will be in shortly, and walk out of the room.
Parents
want to know that nurses are knowledgeable and updated with their education and
skills. Dealing with the patient parents can be difficult challenges but it is
something that nurses must deal with it in their work place.
Conclusion
It
seems like in the health care field is it difficult to maintain as a nurse.
Nurses get paid a great amount of money for what they do. They have many
obstacles that they face while working with patients. Nurses should make sure
they are properly wearing the proper equipment so they will not get any type of
infections/diseases. While dealing with patients their emotions might get in
the way but they must keep a barrier so it would not interfere with their work.
Dealing with demanding parents could also make a nurse feel as if they are not
doing what they are capable of. Nurses just have to understand that at times,
just do their best and keep their head up to get them through there day at
their work place.
Pretend that you are walking in nurses shoes. Do you know how much pressure and responsibility that they go through? The nursing field is fled with endless personal and professional rewards. If you choose nursing, you are choosing to spend your life helping others, using skills that blend scientific knowledge with compassion and caring. In my blog I would be showing you even though nurses do make a great amount of money they still have stumbling blocks that they have to deal with while in the nursing field.
