Preventing lawsuits by noting and acting on key aspects in a patient's condition.

Nurses are often concerned about committing a wrong action that will result in a lawsuit. In reality, it is often omissions, failing to consistently and thoroughly perform the basic acts of nursing, that result in lawsuits. These include timely adequate assessments, following up on test or treatment results, and persistently notifying someone (up the chain of command, as necessary) when there is a significant abnormality. Red flags for concern include more severe pain than expected for the patient's condition, a sudden change in mental status, and a deteriorating trend. Institutional policies for standardized communication techniques and rapid response back-up assistance can be beneficial.

Negotiation in the workplace.

Good negotiation reaps its own rewards. Participants have better buy-in and morale because they are part of the process, rather than just being told about the resulting situations. Being able to negotiate skillfully improves with practice, just like any other skill. In the end, it is helpful to remember Thomas Fuller, a 17th century clergyman and historian, who is attributed with the saying: 'Life does not consist of holding good cards but of playing a poor hand well'.

Triaging: common complaints in the workplace.

Occupational health nurses regularly encounter clients with benign, common complaints. However, the mundane nature should not detract from the need for careful evaluation and guidance. Obtaining a comprehensive history and making key assessments help guide the occupational health nurse to properly manage the client's complaint.

Assessment of abdominal pain in school-age children.

Pediatric abdominal pain can be a difficult condition to accurately assess for the nurse to determine whether the child's need is for teaching, treating, or transferring. This article describes the process as well as practical tips to be used by the nurse in the school setting. Distinguishing characteristics and findings, including key physical assessments, of some of the most frequent or most important conditions are described. Atypical, but not to be overlooked, causes are also discussed.

Improving employee communication in the clinical setting. A nurse's perspective.

1. Integrating public relations techniques with clinical competence promotes employee satisfaction (and appreciation). 2. Described techniques improve the employee's clinic interaction, perception of the nurses' understanding care, and involvement in the treatment. 3. Nurses should incorporate the service industry's "tricks of the trade" to deal with dissatisfied employees. These include point of impact intervention, blameless apology, and broken record.

Managing your paperwork.

The possibilities for better handling of the career's necessary paperwork are endless. The important first step is a commitment to improve, one habit or aspect at a time. Change is not easy, but your time is worth it.

Nursing secrets: managing our work life.

We improve our effectiveness and personal satisfaction with work by prioritising, organising, completing, and balancing. As John Ruskin summarises, 'In order that people may be happy in their work, they must be fit for it, they must not do too much of it, and they must have a reasonable amount of success in it.'