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Nursing Styles and Flexibility



Nurses may seem like superheroes at times, but they are still people, very hard-working people, but still people.  They have personalities, unique to themselves, just as everyone does.  With every nurse is a different personality, and this what creates a different style of nursing for each nurse.

Direct & To the Point

The direct and to-the-point nurse cares for their patients just as every other nurse. They just don't exactly display the emotions as much.  They tend to be direct, and say what they mean, without adding a lot of idle talk or humor to the conversation at hand.  Some patients prefer someone that is very matter-of-fact, in their mannerism, and would just as soon skip the friendly talk and get right to the point.  The pros of the more direct nurse are that they tend to be very forthcoming with information, if they know something about your condition, then you will know something as well,  the nurse delivers information you are entitled to.   Patients can generally depend on what the nurse with the more direct style says, as they are usually very precise and to the point. 

Nurturing

Some people just prefer that nurturing personality, especially when they are sick.  Of course patients do not have the option to pick and choose their nurse for the day or night.  A study was done on percentages and preferences of nursing styles.  The study was conducted at multiple hospitals, with patients of varying ages and medical conditions, the results were as follows:

  • Patients prefer nurses that are direct and to the point- 30% 
  • Patients that prefer a sympathetic bedside manner with a nurse- 28% 
  • Patients that indicated it depended on their own mood- 15% 
  • Patients that had no preference- 27%

Not a real significant difference in what most people prefer.  As personalities differ, it's apparent that preferences among patients differ as well, and proof positive that one nursing style is not better than the other. 

Flexibility

Flexibility is essential when working in a hospital.  The 24/7 shifts all must be adequately covered, and on occasion your normal working shift may need to be altered.  Your willingness to be flexible can go a long way in demonstrating to coworkers and superiors your ability to be a team player, something that companies greatly appreciate. 

Balancing Work & Personal Time

While flexibility in nursing is a great attribute,  it is also essential to have a personal life, and time for yourself.  As long as there are emergencies, severe weather, or outbreaks of flu, there will be a need for flexibility in schedules with nurses.  Emergency situation can appear at any given moment, and you may be asked to give up personal time to assist in the situation. In most circumstances, these are reasonable requests, and as a nurse you want to ensure all patients receive adequate care, which requires adequate staffing.  However, there are times that it is necessary to determine if you need to turn down overtime offers in order to maintain a balance of work with a personal life.   A nurse explains, she worked for a 400 bed hospital, and enjoyed her job, and working with her coworkers.  Her supervisors really appreciated her hard work, and her ethics, however most of all they appreciated her ability to cover shift openings when needed.  With no immediate family, this particular nurse was always the one that everyone needing coverage would turn to.  At 50 years of age, the nurse was considering changing careers, as she felt she was at the point of burning out.  She knew she was too young to retire, however, she felt overworked, and exhausted. 


She finally took the advice of a good friend and added up the number of hours in overtime she averaged in a month.  Taking this information to her supervisor, she brought up the fact that she had averaged 70 hours of unplanned overtime each month, and it was slowly burning her out.  This was a case that is not that uncommon in hospitals, often those willing to cover any open shift may feel, as though they are being taken advantage of.  A good rule to remember is, when starting a nursing career is to be sure to balance working time, with an appropriate amount of personal time.  It's great to be flexible, provided it is not on a regular basis and to the point that you feel obligated to cover every shift that is requested of you. 

Flexibility is great, provided it allows for you to have adequate free time away from work.  If you feel that you are being taken advantage of, speak up.  Discuss concerns with your supervisor, or if necessary, human resource staff.  Nursing is a very difficult job, and it requires an alert and attentive personnel. Balance flexibility with reality, and continue to be a great nurse that is well rested. 


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