Goals and progress reports.

[mypprincess]

Half my day is spent writing goals and progress reports. When a patient needs a prescription the doctor is too busy, and is happy when we write out the prescription on a supplemental order and give it to her to sign.
This is one of my weak points but the most important part of my job. I sit at a desk and spend most my time writing.
Also, I spend a lot of time on the phone with doctors, pharmacy, insurance, etc. I'm having a very difficult time with that. None of those people have time for elongated conversations, but for some reason I'm not understood well.
My strong point is that the patients love me. They call me and wave to me even before I finish parking. They keep on coming to our office just to say hello to me. But unfortunately, that is the least important part. The most important part of nursing is documenting and documenting. communicating and being understood.

Any suggestions?

[medic09]

Typing in a sling here (and drugged); so I'll attempt brevity.

1. If the patients feel more secure because of you, that helps better care. Don't underestimate that. But that wasn't your point.

2. You mention two related, but different problems. Documentation requires a certain discipline and order. That's why we use forms for so much of it. New professionals of all sorts use cheat sheets and templates to help them remember what to cover.

General communication is more fluid; so you may have to be in more control. Think before you speak. What do I need to get across, and what do I need (but no more) to say it?

A good way to strengthen communication skills is to read or observe lots of good examples.

[achot]

Medic, refua shelaima- I guess its the end of your boxing career... hope the drugs are helpful...and wont interfere with Shavuot activities.

MYP- some pple try to improve their communication skills by taping their conversations and hearing what they did wrong.
Medic gave some excellent advise but try not to by so hard on yourself. You are bound to make lotsa mistakes and the important thing is to learn from them, develop good spin skills to turn your mistakes into strengths and dont be embarrassed to apologize if you made a mistake.

All jobs have their weak and strong point, hope it balances in ur favor! and remember you can do great nursing in any setting- just make the most of it!!

[Rivka P]

Like the other said above, it helps to plan exactly what you are going to say. You can use the SBAR template. See this link:

www.saferhealthcare.com/cat-shc/sbar-a-communication-technique

OH and it totally is important that patients like you!