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Making a New Year’s (nursing) resolution

Stressed Out Nurses Weekly, January 7, 2008

The giant ball in Times Square is dropping, the holiday season is coming to a close, and it's time to wipe the slate clean for another year. No matter where you are or what you do, 2008 holds limitless possibilities for change and adventure. Sounds exciting, doesn't it!? It's also time to roll out the list of resolutions. Will this be the year you kick that smoking (or shopping) habit? Will you drop a few extra pounds? Will you finally contact those old high school classmates? With so many options, we've decided to help you out with a list of 25 New Year's resolutions. And best of all, we've used a nursing theme.

You may have already worked some of these resolutions into your daily routine as a nurse. Good for you! But there are probably still a few items and practices you'd like to add to your nursing toolbox. Pick one (or a few) and make it your resolution for 2008. Oh, and don't forget to pass this list on to your nursing buddies! Here we go:

1. Volunteer to be a mentor to a new nurse at your facility.
2. Volunteer to be a mentor to a new nurse outside your facility. Listservs, blogs, and discussion boards are great ways to network with colleagues across the country.
3. Join a committee that is working to improve the culture at your facility.
4. Don't talk about a colleague unless he or she is there to hear what you are saying.
5. Say "no" at least once a day. Saying "no" is a skill you need to practice so that you do not cave in. It's okay to set limits and say "no."
6. Get along with every physician at your facility. Yes, even that one.
7. Document accurately--every time. If you do make a mistake, handle the situation appropriately.
8. Go to a day spa at least twice during the year to treat yourself. You deserve it.
9. Double-check every medication before administering it to a patient.
10. Create a budget and actually live by it.

For more of this story (plus a whole lot more!), please visit our site.

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