10 Hacks that Every New Nurse Should Know

Are you a new nurse transitioning from student to professional RN? I’ve got 10 great tips and tricks that will make your transition into the nursing profession a little bit easier.

Having worked in a variety of settings over the past 12 years, I’ve learned a lot of great hacks to work more efficiently. Whether you find yourself in a hospital, clinic, or any other healthcare setting, these unique tips are designed to boost your confidence and set you on the path to becoming a skilled and successful nurse. So, let’s get started with my top 10 favorite nursing hacks.

10) Simplifying TED Hose Application: The Plastic Bag Hack

A plastic bag can be a handy tool to ease the application of TED hose. Start by preparing the patient’s dry leg, ensuring it’s lotion-free. Turn the TED hose inside out up to the heel cup and slip the patient’s foot into a small, thin plastic bag. The bag acts as a friction-reducer, allowing the hose to slide more easily onto the leg. After the hose is on, adjust its position to sit comfortably below the knee, ensuring the stocking’s heel aligns with the patient’s heel. Once adjusted, carefully pull the plastic bag out from the top. The plastic bag method is a neat trick that simplifies the process, particularly for patients with sensitive skin or edema.

9) Finding a vein using a double tourniquet technique

Discovering a suitable vein can sometimes be challenging, but the double tourniquet technique can aid in this process. Start by positioning the first tourniquet closer to the heart, and then the second tourniquet distal to it, directly above the anticipated venipuncture site. The first tourniquet increases the venous filling pressure, while the second one slows down the blood flow, making the veins beneath it more prominent. Once you’ve identified a suitable vein, remove the first tourniquet, and proceed with the venipuncture. After completing the procedure, remove the second tourniquet. Remember, the double tourniquet technique is an invaluable hack when dealing with difficult venous access but should be used cautiously considering the patient’s comfort and possible local tissue damage. Like this tip? Check out my ultimate IV starting guide for more helpful tips with peripheral IVs.

8) Removing Air From IV lines

Don’t you love when you receive a patient only to find out upon assessment that their IV fluids have run dry and there’s now air in the tubing? I know a great trick to get the air out and reprime the tubing.

Start by clamping the IV tubing below the point where you see air to halt the fluid flow. Next, disconnect the tubing from the patient’s IV cannula, being careful to maintain sterility at the disconnection site. Attach an empty syringe to the tubing and slowly draw back to pull the air out of the line. You should see the air bubbles collecting in the syringe. Continue this until all air is removed. Afterward, unclamp the tubing and allow the IV fluid to re-prime the line, ensuring no air bubbles remain. Finally, reattach the tubing to the patient’s IV cannula. This simple but effective method is a great way to manage air in IV tubing while minimizing patient discomfort.

7) Can’t advance an IV catheter after a good flash? Try floating it

Sometimes, inserting an IV catheter can present a challenge, even after a good flash of blood. The saline flush, or “floating” technique, can offer a solution. Begin by confirming that you have a good flash of blood in your catheter. If the catheter isn’t advancing as it should, pause and don’t force it. Instead, attach a saline flush syringe to the hub of the catheter. Slowly inject the saline while simultaneously and gently advancing the catheter. The fluid’s pressure can help ‘float’ the catheter into the vein. Once the catheter is in place, you can finish securing it and attach the IV line. The floating technique can turn a challenging IV insertion into a successful one, ensuring both patient safety and comfort.

6) Use blood draws or IV insertions to assess blood glucose

As a nurse, minimizing patient discomfort is always a priority. One method to reduce the number of needle sticks is by coupling routine blood draws or IV insertions with blood glucose checks. When you’re drawing blood or inserting an IV, collect a small amount of blood for glucose testing. Instead of the traditional fingerstick method, use this blood to measure the patient’s glucose level. This not only saves the patient from an additional needle stick but also can provide a more accurate blood glucose reading, as capillary fingerstick readings may sometimes be influenced by peripheral perfusion. Combining these procedures into one step enhances patient comfort and reduces stress, making it a worthy nursing hack.

5) Tracing the Borders: Use a Pen to Monitor Progression of Bleeding or Rashes

For bleeding wounds or developing rashes, use a sterilized pen to gently outline the boundary of the affected area directly on the skin or the dressing if applicable. Make sure to date and time the outline for record-keeping. This allows you to visually track any changes in size, shape, or appearance over time. If the condition worsens, the outlines will show expansion beyond the original borders. Conversely, if it improves, the area within the boundary will shrink. This simple hack offers a clear, visual method for monitoring a patient’s progress and can provide vital information for treatment adjustments.

4) Patient unable to void? Try a warm bottle of water

For patients who are having difficulty initiating urination, also known as voiding, a simple trick involving a warm bottle of water can help. Here’s how: Fill a bottle with warm (not hot) water. Have the patient hold it against their lower abdomen, close to the bladder. The warmth can help stimulate the urge to urinate by relaxing the muscles and increasing blood flow in the area. It’s a natural, non-invasive method that can be very effective, especially in situations where the patient is anxious or uncomfortable. Always ensure the water’s temperature is comfortable for the patient to prevent burns or discomfort. This warm bottle technique can be a practical hack for encouraging voiding in patients who are struggling to do so.

3) Use Google Translate for simple nursing tasks

In today’s increasingly multicultural healthcare settings, language barriers can present a significant challenge. A practical solution is to use “Google Translate” for basic nursing tasks and communication. For example, if a patient does not speak your language fluently, you can use Google Translate to interpret your questions about pain level, meal preferences, or comfort needs, and to understand their responses. Also, the app can be used to translate simple instructions about medication usage, wound care, or dietary restrictions. Do remember, for more complex medical discussions or consent, professional medical interpretation services should still be utilized to ensure accurate and clear communication. The Google Translate app is a handy tool for bridging language gaps in everyday nursing care, enhancing patient understanding and comfort.

2) Quick Reference Badge

Maximizing the utility of your ID badge by attaching a “Quick Reference Card” can be a game-changer in time-sensitive situations. This small laminated card, fastened to your badge, can house essential information like emergency contact numbers, commonly used drug dosage calculations, or unit-specific protocols. Given the fast-paced nature of nursing, having this information at your fingertips can save time and reduce stress, especially during an emergency. Whether you need a quick refresher on a rarely used drug dosage or need to call a specific department urgently, this on-hand reference is invaluable. Not only does it increase efficiency, but it also enhances patient safety by reducing the risk of errors. Remember, this Quick Reference Badge Card is not meant to replace comprehensive resources, but to act as a supplement for critical, frequently needed information.

1) Easy to Remove IV Tape

Creating Easy-Pull Tabs with Medical Tape” is a practical hack that can enhance patient comfort during dressing changes or IV line removals. When applying medical tape to secure dressings or IV lines, simply fold a small portion of the tape’s end back onto itself. This creates a non-sticky ‘tab’ that is quick and easy to grab when it’s time to remove the tape. It minimizes the discomfort often associated with tape removal and prevents unnecessary tugging on the skin or dressing. This small modification can make a significant difference in the patient’s experience, speeding up removals and reducing pain or discomfort. So, next time you’re applying medical tape, remember the easy-pull tab technique for a smoother, more comfortable removal process.