What Nurses Really Want For Nurses Week

Nurse gifts, trinkets and luncheons for Nurses Week may be nice, but what do nurses really want?

Hard-working nurses often mention these 13 things on their “most-wanted” lists.

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How Do Nurses Inspire: Nurses Week

13 Things Nurses Want, Every Day of the Year

1. R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Nurses are already the most trusted among all professionals in the annual Gallup polls, but some feel they still lack respect from some of their medical colleagues. Nurses deserve to have their education, skills and understanding of patient care acknowledged and appreciated.

2. Safe nurse staffing

When there aren’t enough nurses on the unit, it raises every nurse’s stress level, short-changes patient care and increases the possibility of a medical error. Travel nurses are often brought in during staff absences and census fluctuations to address this very problem.

3. Greater job satisfaction

AMN Healthcare’s 2015 Survey of Registered Nurses found that the majority of nurses are happy with their career choice, but have mixed feelings about their current nursing jobs. Luckily, the field of nursing has more career paths and options than most.

4. Realistic expectations from staff

Nurses who are new to the unit, including travel nurses, may be expected to hit the ground running. But after your orientation, it may still take a couple of days to get your bearings. A little patience from your fellow nurses can go a long way during this time. If you are ever unsure of how to proceed, reach out, ask questions and take the time to do things correctly.

5. Realistic expectations from patients

Some patients think you can diagnose all their symptoms, while others act like they should only talk to a doctor. And some treat you like a waiter or waitress who is there to fulfill their every need. In this age of health care consumerism, just remember to smile, follow best practices, and continually strive to supply the highest level in patient care.

6. An extra dose of patience

To deal with patients. And their families. And doctors. And other nurses. And the general chaos that is nursing.

7. More training

When your hospital adopts a new EMR system or new equipment lands on your floor, do you know how to use it? Most nurses agree that super users and tech assistants need to be more widely available. If you’re interested in supporting EMR projects as a travel nurse, ask your AMN recruiter.

8. A never-ending supply of clean scrubs

Stuff happens during those long nursing shifts, right? Learn how to get rid of the nasty stuff with our guide on cleaning tips for your nursing scrubs. And keep an extra set of clean scrubs at work, just in case.

9. Consistent shift scheduling

Whether nurses work day or night shifts, they need to know when and how much they’ll be working. AMN's travel nurses can often count on guaranteed hours, yet shift schedules could potentially change during an assignment. Just ask your recruiter to clarify the details of any contract you are considering.

10. Patients who have not researched their disease/illness/injury online

Fifteen minutes on the internet and everyone thinks they are an expert. Self-diagnosis is never a good thing. Here is where a nurse’s skills in listening and patient education really need to shine.

11. Supplies, when and where you need them

If everything was where it belonged, and within reach when needed, nurses could knock a few steps off that 4-5 miles they walk during a typical shift. Does this ever happen?

12. No leftover tasks or messes to clean up from previous shifts

Again, does this ever happen?

13. A simple “Thank you"

Any word of gratitude from patients, families, supervisors, administrators or other staff is always appreciated. And not just during Nurses Week.

The entire staff at AMN would like to thank you, nurses, for all you do—every day of the year!

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