The Team
It is pretty common for nurses to find themselves in situations where they are the ones orchestrating and coordinating different team members. Especially in a critical care setting, the nurse is often the one that knows the patient the most, and other team members look to the nurse for direction.
Not a lot of people will admit this, but let’s be real: the nurse is the epicenter of the team. I’d like to say it is because we are so awesome (and that is partially it) but really, it is because we have a unique advantage that other team members do not: We are the ones constantly at the bedside.
[Disclaimer: Don’t get me wrong. Every team member has an invaluable skill to contribute, and we as nurses are only made stronger if we remember that].
[Disclaimer: Don’t get me wrong. Every team member has an invaluable skill to contribute, and we as nurses are only made stronger if we remember that].
The advantage to being there every moment is that we can sense an impending problem. We are better positioned to know when and what resources are needed to have good outcomes, or to prevent bad ones. We are essentially the eyes and ears of the team.
A quintessential scenario where the team dynamics and functionality will either make or break the outcome for your patient is in a crisis.
What, as a nurse, can you do to contribute to the “smoothness” of how things run?
What role does a nurse play and how can we use our team’s skills to better manage the crisis?
Remember: YOU are the epicenter of how things run because YOU know the patient the best.
What, as a nurse, can you do to contribute to the “smoothness” of how things run?
What role does a nurse play and how can we use our team’s skills to better manage the crisis?
Remember: YOU are the epicenter of how things run because YOU know the patient the best.
The goal of this category is to develop confidence and know-how when it comes to advocating for your patient and utilizing the team around you so that your patient has the best possible outcome.