What does your Nurse rolodex look like ?
So how we survive this nursing thing is by banding together, networking, and remembering that Nursing is a team sport. There are a few essential people you want to keep on your team, as you navigate your nursing career that can help you along the way. You likely already know them, but I want to make sure you are capitalizing on these relationships.
So let's take a look at a few Nurse Besties to keep in your rolodex
For starters you want to make sure you have a connect in Nurse leadership. Whether this is your Nurse Manager, Charge Nurse, or CNO this relationship is essential. This Nurse serves as your birds eye view of what's to come, how you and the organization as a whole are performing, and nurse resources galore. I would recommend you to build a relationship with Nurse leadership that is not only tapped into when something is needed, when you are desperate, or have a concern/conflict. Instead build this relationship organically, built of trust that has mutual benefits. May I also add that Management is a common factor that plays into Nurse retention. In knowing this lets work to improve this relationship now. Keep your nurse friends close and your nurse leaders closer.
Next you want to make sure you keep in touch with Nurse Recruitment. This department has a good handle on the trends in all the Nursing roles, New vacancies or plans to expand, and recruitment can keep you in mind for opportunities that suit your skillset. Make sure you pop in and touch base often, help them to remember you and your needs. You can be transparent with them about your displeasure of your current Nurse-situation, as their number one goal is to keep you (retention is the driving factor). Nurse recruitment wants to make sure you have a good match, and will work with you to make sure your needs are met.
Now lets look into making sure you stay connected with Nursing education. This is a good one to keep in your back and front pocket. In Nursing things are constantly changing from protocols and guidelines, to best practices, and your educators help you to keep your skills sharp. Your Nurse educators can help you at the bedside, provide evidence based guidance, and good ones will not only tell you but show you.
Lastly, but definitely not least especially in 2021 is making sure you have a connection in Nurse Informatics. Now this one I definitely did not consider honestly until recently, but this is a nurse bestie you want to keep on your team. What do we do most in Nursing? CHARTING! How do we do it? TECHNOLOGY! Now this my nurse friends is where your nurse informatics specialist comes in handy.
Most Nurse Informatics Specialists have a good handle on nursing needs in this department, because they have been in your shoes before. They know all the short cuts, how to personalize your EHR settings, and can take the overwhelm out of using all those technologies.
Nurse informatics specialists are your super users, and they are clutch ! Make sure you tap, tap, tap in.
Now I hope you have a few if not all of these Nurse Besties in your rolodex. Let me know what other Nurse contacts that you have in your rolodex. I hope this was helpful !
Stay Well Nurse Friends,
- Nurse Megs
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