Feature
Five Things Employers DON’T Want in a Nurse
Quick reminders for both new grads and seasoned staff
Both new and seasoned nurses should always be striving to be the type of employees people want to recruit and retain. There are many books, articles and entire seminars on what employers want in a nurse today. Here are five strategies for you based on what they DON’T want.
Don’t Skip Breaks.
Often, we are so busy taking care of others that we neglect to take care of ourselves. How often do you hear yourself or others boast, “I worked straight through lunch again today!” or, “I’ve worked here 20 years and I have never taken a break!”
Despite our demanding work schedules, our managers and leaders do not want us to neglect caring for our own bodies, minds and spirits. So, two or three times a shift, take 15 minutes to get away, sit down, breathe deeply, relax a bit, read something inspirational or whisper a prayer.
I know your commitment to your patients makes this difficult, but it’s important to your survival. Ask a teammate to back you up while you take a break and then return the favor. You’ll find this time is a good investment — you will go back to work refreshed, reinvigorated, more compassionate and more productive.
Don’t Be a Party to “Stinkin’ Thinkin.’”
Mama used to say that one bad apple can spoil the whole bag, and that is also true with attitudes at work. Negativity is contagious. So is positivity. We get what we expect, what we visualize; we become our most dominant thoughts. So, think positively. Speak positively.
