Hospital corners and other comparisons.
I've been thinking over the last few weeks about transferable skills. What is it about being a nurse that has helped me be a cleaner/organiser?
I realise that historically, nursing has been about cleaning, cleaning up after operations, births, deaths. But the nursing I practised was so much more. I supervised busy shifts. I rostered staff, I found extra staff, I managed emergencies. I organised events, for staff, for patients, for the unit. I tidied and ordered store rooms, Resus trolleys, paperwork. A colleague said to me "bloody oath, you are resourceful" as I sorted out a computer issue midway through a hellish shift. I find fixing things, troubleshooting, tidying and shining oddly soothing. I like the reward. This is the same whether I am nursing, cleaning or organising. Here are some things I have learnt.
1. There is no place for judging.
I am in a position of trust, sometimes with newborn babies, sometimes with homes. Neither is easily replaced. One of the most striking things in life, is the differences between us. Every single being has a different set of rules, values, stresses, goals, idiosyncrasies, needs, desires etc etc.......There may be crossovers, we may share elements, but we are not the same. Our wishes are multilayered, fragments of life have happened to make us who we are today. I can't profess to know what makes someone act or live a particular way, so I try to never judge and if I feel like doing it, I bloody well keep it to myself!
2. The power of a hot beverage- Tea (uk) Coffee (Melbourne) is grossly underestimated.
It is about so much more than hydration, its about bonding! I have been made a cuppa by a grateful parent during a horrendous shift. I have been bought a coffee when I haven't been able to leave the ward. I have made tea for bereaved parents, I've grabbed a Flat white for a client who was moving into a new house. A cup of Earl grey for an recovering lady who slept whilst I hoovered around her. In England, it was all about the cup of tea, the English know that tea heals everything. In Melbourne it is all about the coffee run. A quick discussion of the best cafes in the suburb, unites people. A brew, a cuppa, a Flat white, an English breakfast, even a milky Nescafe. When offered, just accept :)
3. Intuition is far reaching.
Sometimes it's easy to get caught up with rules and instructions. You know what is supposed to be done, but it doesn't sit quite right. Getting a sense of clients or patients is such a great skill. It develops with time and experience.
The premature baby that you have just spent 40 mins handling, taking bloods, changing the nappy, doing obs. That baby needs to be left alone now. He has just gone to sleep. However- his mum has just arrived, she hasn't been able to come before as the doctors have been stabilising her. she had a brief cuddle at birth. She has a poor obstetric history. My gut tells me that the negatives of this baby being once again disturbed are overwhelmed by the positives of a maternal cuddle.
The overflowing laundry. I wasn't asked to do the washing. Just a general clean, kitchen, bathrooms, floors. But I know that she will be back late, with 2 small children, husband away. I know that she is exhausted. If I put a load on immediately, it could be dried and away before she returns. I fully scrubbed the bathroom last week, so if I clean quickly in there.........
4. Communication is crucial.
Check in with people. I always ask, between 3-5 cleans, if there is anything that I am missing. I may not see what others do. I ask the same of nursing colleagues, or patients, or students. Feedback is fantastic, it enables us to do better!
5. Presentability and professionalism are supreme.
Not dress sense or hair colour, but an overall ordered disposition. Being on time, having what you require. This makes it so much easier to convince people that you have your shit together........even if you may not particularly feel like it at that precise moment. No one is going to hire me to order their home if my bundle has been dropped and is scattered around my feet!
And finally
6. People love a good hospital corner.
A basic component of bed making. Whether in a ward, a hotel or a home, there is nothing more pleasing to look at or get into than a bed made with crisp, neat corners :)
I realise that historically, nursing has been about cleaning, cleaning up after operations, births, deaths. But the nursing I practised was so much more. I supervised busy shifts. I rostered staff, I found extra staff, I managed emergencies. I organised events, for staff, for patients, for the unit. I tidied and ordered store rooms, Resus trolleys, paperwork. A colleague said to me "bloody oath, you are resourceful" as I sorted out a computer issue midway through a hellish shift. I find fixing things, troubleshooting, tidying and shining oddly soothing. I like the reward. This is the same whether I am nursing, cleaning or organising. Here are some things I have learnt.
1. There is no place for judging.
I am in a position of trust, sometimes with newborn babies, sometimes with homes. Neither is easily replaced. One of the most striking things in life, is the differences between us. Every single being has a different set of rules, values, stresses, goals, idiosyncrasies, needs, desires etc etc.......There may be crossovers, we may share elements, but we are not the same. Our wishes are multilayered, fragments of life have happened to make us who we are today. I can't profess to know what makes someone act or live a particular way, so I try to never judge and if I feel like doing it, I bloody well keep it to myself!
2. The power of a hot beverage- Tea (uk) Coffee (Melbourne) is grossly underestimated.
It is about so much more than hydration, its about bonding! I have been made a cuppa by a grateful parent during a horrendous shift. I have been bought a coffee when I haven't been able to leave the ward. I have made tea for bereaved parents, I've grabbed a Flat white for a client who was moving into a new house. A cup of Earl grey for an recovering lady who slept whilst I hoovered around her. In England, it was all about the cup of tea, the English know that tea heals everything. In Melbourne it is all about the coffee run. A quick discussion of the best cafes in the suburb, unites people. A brew, a cuppa, a Flat white, an English breakfast, even a milky Nescafe. When offered, just accept :)
3. Intuition is far reaching.
Sometimes it's easy to get caught up with rules and instructions. You know what is supposed to be done, but it doesn't sit quite right. Getting a sense of clients or patients is such a great skill. It develops with time and experience.
The premature baby that you have just spent 40 mins handling, taking bloods, changing the nappy, doing obs. That baby needs to be left alone now. He has just gone to sleep. However- his mum has just arrived, she hasn't been able to come before as the doctors have been stabilising her. she had a brief cuddle at birth. She has a poor obstetric history. My gut tells me that the negatives of this baby being once again disturbed are overwhelmed by the positives of a maternal cuddle.
The overflowing laundry. I wasn't asked to do the washing. Just a general clean, kitchen, bathrooms, floors. But I know that she will be back late, with 2 small children, husband away. I know that she is exhausted. If I put a load on immediately, it could be dried and away before she returns. I fully scrubbed the bathroom last week, so if I clean quickly in there.........
4. Communication is crucial.
Check in with people. I always ask, between 3-5 cleans, if there is anything that I am missing. I may not see what others do. I ask the same of nursing colleagues, or patients, or students. Feedback is fantastic, it enables us to do better!
5. Presentability and professionalism are supreme.
Not dress sense or hair colour, but an overall ordered disposition. Being on time, having what you require. This makes it so much easier to convince people that you have your shit together........even if you may not particularly feel like it at that precise moment. No one is going to hire me to order their home if my bundle has been dropped and is scattered around my feet!
And finally
6. People love a good hospital corner.
A basic component of bed making. Whether in a ward, a hotel or a home, there is nothing more pleasing to look at or get into than a bed made with crisp, neat corners :)
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