A few weeks ago, my 86-year-old mother took a disastrous fall. Her headfirst dive into the shower left her with 4-to-5-inch long, 2-to-3-inch wide skin tears on both upper arms and her left shin, and a black eye that would make a boxer blush.
Mom, herself an RN, is an avid reader, plays bridge online and has Facebook and email accounts. At her age, however, she does have some health issues. The skin on her extremities resembles dry parchment paper and is just as delicate. Even touching her the wrong way can cause a break in her skin. As a result of her fall, Mom ended up in the ED, and I had the opportunity to witness the priceless value nurses bring to patient care.
I was inspired by the staff caring for my mom that night. She was in a great deal of pain, and her nurse moved quickly, but with skill and kindness. Mom was assessed, given pain medication and sent for a CT and X-ray. Then an exceptional ED tech spent more than two hours gently cleaning Mom’s wounds and carefully coaxing the crumpled and damaged skin back to its original position. She worked slowly and with tremendous care.
As we talked, she shared that she is finishing an RN program and has had special wound care training by a certified wound care nurse. What valuable knowledge to have at this early point in her nursing career. Special skills and training can increase a nurse’s value in a tight marketplace, such as the one we currently are seeing.
How do experienced nurses best optimize their value? And what about new graduates seeking elusive employment?
Getting a BSN or advanced nursing degree is one way to increase knowledge and value. So is gaining experience, expertise and certification in a nursing specialty. Attending webinars or seminars, such as those offered by Nurse.com, furthers nurses’ knowledge and enhances their value.
Nursing students should get healthcare experience while still in school. Yes, the market is tight, but hospitals will continue to hire new graduates to enhance their nursing resources. And, according to experts, the nursing shortage will be back, bringing with it more opportunities and demand for nurses like Katie, Mom’s wonderful ED tech, who already is the personification of value. •
Mom, herself an RN, is an avid reader, plays bridge online and has Facebook and email accounts. At her age, however, she does have some health issues. The skin on her extremities resembles dry parchment paper and is just as delicate. Even touching her the wrong way can cause a break in her skin. As a result of her fall, Mom ended up in the ED, and I had the opportunity to witness the priceless value nurses bring to patient care.
I was inspired by the staff caring for my mom that night. She was in a great deal of pain, and her nurse moved quickly, but with skill and kindness. Mom was assessed, given pain medication and sent for a CT and X-ray. Then an exceptional ED tech spent more than two hours gently cleaning Mom’s wounds and carefully coaxing the crumpled and damaged skin back to its original position. She worked slowly and with tremendous care.
As we talked, she shared that she is finishing an RN program and has had special wound care training by a certified wound care nurse. What valuable knowledge to have at this early point in her nursing career. Special skills and training can increase a nurse’s value in a tight marketplace, such as the one we currently are seeing.
How do experienced nurses best optimize their value? And what about new graduates seeking elusive employment?
Getting a BSN or advanced nursing degree is one way to increase knowledge and value. So is gaining experience, expertise and certification in a nursing specialty. Attending webinars or seminars, such as those offered by Nurse.com, furthers nurses’ knowledge and enhances their value.
Nursing students should get healthcare experience while still in school. Yes, the market is tight, but hospitals will continue to hire new graduates to enhance their nursing resources. And, according to experts, the nursing shortage will be back, bringing with it more opportunities and demand for nurses like Katie, Mom’s wonderful ED tech, who already is the personification of value. •
Cheryl Portner, RN, MSN, is Vice President Staff Development & Training/Nurse Executive, Greater Chicago.Write to editor@nurse.com or post a comment below.
