Nightingale’s Corner

Those of us who go into the healthcare profession, no matter the level we start at bring differences of learning, knowledge and backgrounds.  We come with the expectations to learn from those with experience and knowledge without judgement.  Many of us learn differently than others.  Some are very book smart and have difficulty performing in front of others.  Some learn better by a hands-on education and approach.  No matter [...]

Some of us are very lucky and blessed to go through life and never have any issues with our memories.  Then there are others who have the difficulty moments of remembering their names and carrying out simple tasks.  It is very difficult to imagine a loved one losing the ability to remember and function on their own.   As nursing assistants, you can be of great service for any [...]

We all grow up with our parents and families to become the most productive person in life, to fulfill our dreams and goals.  It all sounds so wonderful, but it is actually a juggling act for some who have to take care of family, work and want a better education by going to school.  It is all possible to do with the right tools to help you focus and [...]

As healthcare workers we go into this profession to help take care of others, providing the highest level of quality care, promoting health and well-being. There will be a time that you will encounter End-of-life issues. As nursing assistants and even myself as a nurse we must confront our own feelings and fears about death to be able to help our patients and families. Death is a natural part [...]

Florence Nightengale was a pioneer in the healthcare industry for all who wanted to help others.  There are eight essential characteristics of cultural ownership that she felt healthcare workers needed to possess. Commitment which is the quality of being dedicated to a cause, or activity. Here as nursing assistants, you would be taking care of patients who cannot care for themselves. Making them comfortable and giving them the respect [...]

As you go through your program you will hear about Standard precautions pertaining to Isolation process.  You will maintain these protocols for the care of all patients with the assumption that they can be potentially infectious and contagious. You are protecting yourself and other patients on your units.  We spoke about Hand washing as the most effective way to prevent any spread of infection, but there are times you [...]

You are entering a program that focuses on the care of others. You will gain new knowledge and insight to be able to handle yourselves in the clinical area.  In order to become proficient with your abilities and develop your skill set you must PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.  Even if you think you know what to do, going into the program act as if you know nothing, and learn from [...]

In order to maintain health and well-being of your patients it is your responsibility, as part of a team, to ensure that the environment around your patient is clear of all obstacles that can be harmful and cause injury.  When I was working, we had classifications of different cultures, one in particular is that of safety culture. This is when you take an assessment of the area in which [...]

As you go through your program gaining the knowledge and educational skills to be able to care for others, you should understand that it should not be taken lightly. It is a privilege in the actions of caring for others and a connection that is not understood by all. Some of us are actually born with a compassion that goes beyond what we are taught. Gaining knowledge and insight [...]

The interaction of communication is to inform others or to receive information with the intent purpose that each one of us will accept and understand the messages given. We all have our different ways of communicating and must help one another to ensure the information is obtained. Effective communication is the key to providing the best safe care to our patients. As healthcare providers we must learn to be [...]

One of our biggest issues of concern for any patient admitted to the hospital is the development of bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers. These are not uncommon to occur, but definitely can be prevented by proper skin care, turning and repositioning of our patients. Making sure that your patients are receiving the proper dietary needs. As I have discussed before the turning and repositioning does help to alleviate [...]

Handwashing is the single most important action that you will do in breaking the chain of Infection. It is a daily habit we have been doing since we were children, but now as adults in the health care industry it is more important than ever to stop the spread of infection. As simple an activity as it sounds it is not. You do not just place your hands under [...]

As individuals who work within the healthcare industry, we are given the appropriate knowledge and skills to take care of others to the best of our abilities. We have an ethical obligation to do what is good and what is the right thing to do from a professional standpoint in making our patients feel safe at all times. In doing so we will be protecting their personal information based [...]

Safe patient handling is carrying out these activities on your patients to help promote their health and well-being. You may not see it right away, but you are helping to improve respiratory status while moving them because we always have the patients take deep breaths upon movement thereby helping to air rate their lungs. We are helping to improve the prevention of skin breakdown which is very serious problem [...]

As a CNA you will receive your work assignment and gather your equipment needed for the shift.  One of the first tasks that needs to be done is the taking of vital signs of your patients. Vital signs are the cornerstone to health assessment, giving the medical team insights to the overall health of our patients. The six vital signs are Level of consciousness (LOC), Heart Rate/Pulse (HR/P), Blood pressure [...]

To optimize the quality of the health and well-being of our patients we collaborate as a team. Your position within the team is an integral part of taking care of patients. Your part in this team is to take direct care of the patient at the bedside. From understanding who they are as an individual giving them the respect, they deserve no matter who they are. Always keep an objective [...]