So this post is a little niche.

My niece Sophie is studying nursing at Uni right now.
She is about to have her first clinical placement.
Last night she told me they were learning to take blood pressures: “the old fashioned way” Hmmmmmm.

Anyways, back in another life I used to be a nurse too, and I wrote a blog that included some tips and tricks to improve essential nursing care. Some of that info is still out there.

So this page is for you Sophie. If nothing else, read the first post : How to be a newbie nurse. That is everything right there.

I hope you find some information that might be useful in your upcoming clinical placements. NOTE: this info should be still evidence based but always check any advice against your own Uni guidelines and hospital clinical policy.

How to be a newbie nurse:

A few tips to help the new-graduate nurse flourish.

How to give good mouth care.

Providing quality MOUTH CARE to your patients.

How to help your patient swallow their pills.

2 tips to help your patients swallow their medications.

What is Mean Arterial Blood Pressure?

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP).

How to use the bed.

Quick tip: OWN the bed.

What to do if you make a mistake:

What to do if you make a BIG clinical mistake.

How to take blood:

Improve your venipuncture technique.

What to do when you cant find the vein.

Venipuncture: when you can’t find the vein.

How to take blood in the correct order:

Order of Draw.

The importance of your patients respiratory rate:

How to be a better nurse in 60 seconds.

How to make a quick respiratory assessment:

Quick adult respiratory assessment. 

How to look after your hands:

Hand washing and irritant contact dermatitis.

How to catheterise a male.

How to catheterise a male.

How to catheterise a female.

How to catheterise a female.

How to use your neuro torch:

Master the NEURO TORCH.

How to insert a nasogastric tube;

How to insert a nasogastric tube.

How to manage air bubbles in your IV lines.

Everything you need to know about air bubbles in your patient’s IV line.

How to document wounds and bruises.

How to document wounds and bruises.

How to give an injection in your patients bum.

How to give VENTROGLUTEAL injections.