Nurses must carry a large amount of medical knowledge and quickly pick up skills on the job, which can be daunting for new clinicians. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution asked four Atlanta nurses to discuss moments in their careers that built up their confidence.
Four lessons they shared:
1. Treat the person, not just the illness. Nurses must recognize that they are responsible for all parts of a patient's physical health, including personal hygiene, Terri Goudy, RN, a nurse at Austell, Ga.-based WellStar Cobb Hospital, told AJC. She said supporting patients in all aspects of care increased her confidence and love for her job.
2. Recognize the tremendous impact nurses have on patients. Knowing that nurses have the knowledge and ability to help patients and families through scary moments in their lives helped Macie Richards, RN, a nurse at Emory Johns Creek (Ga.) Hospital, gain confidence. Ms. Richards recalled a time she connected with a patient fighting pancreatic cancer.
"Because this was early on in my career, I experienced many firsts alongside her. We learned together," she told AJC. "I am so grateful that she allowed me to battle alongside her, and she has shaped how I care for each patient every day."
3. Learn how to communicate. Ellen Jatta, RN, says she gained confidence from her experience communicating with patients, family members and physicians. Ms. Jatta, a nurse at Marietta, Ga.-based WellStar Health System, said learning how to defuse situations with concerned families and efficiently communicating with the physician made her more confident.
4. View patients as more than a diagnosis. Johneasha "Nicole" Saddler, RN, works at Emory Johns Creek Hospital and told AJC that being less task-oriented was important in her growth as a nurse. She said she now sees the patient as a whole and can deliver better care.