1
A nurse is administering a new antibiotic to their patient ordered by the doctor. The nurse explains why the patient is receiving the antibiotic. She describes where the infection is and why antibiotics will help. She also explains the side effects of the medication and any adverse effects for the patient to report to the nurse. With the patient in full understanding and having given consent, the nurse administers the medication.
Communication
A nurse who has been working for 17 years on the floor was teaching a newer graduate nurse how to insert a foley. During this demonstration, the newer nurse successfully used a different technique than the one that was taught. The nurse who has been working for a while says “that’s a great approach. I’ve never seen that one before. I’d love to learn how you did that.”
Humility
A nurse administers the wrong medication to the patient. She recognizes the mistake and after assessing the patient’s safety, contacts the healthcare provider. She properly documents her error and informs the patient of the mistake.
Accountability
A nurse has an assignment of four patients on a medical surgical unit. The nurse needs to administer blood and give medications to two of her clients within the hour. However, she needs to receive a blood glucose level for her other two patients. The nurse asks the NA assigned to her patients to take the blood glucose levels to help her give the blood and medications to her other two patients on time.
Delegation
The charge nurse recognizes a new grad nurse on the unit. She takes time to welcome the new grad to the unit and introduce them to the team. She offers guidance and encourages questions to create a safe learning space.
Inclusivity
A nurse is caring for a patient who prefers to be addressed by a specific name and uses they/them pronouns. The nurse makes a conscious effort to use the patient’s preferred name and pronouns during all interactions and communicates this preference to other members of the healthcare team. When discussing care, the nurse listens attentively to the patient’s concerns and includes them in decision-making. By honoring the patient’s identity and preferences, the nurse fosters a trusting environment.
Respect
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and notices that the dosage on the medication administration record seems higher than what is typically prescribed. Instead of assuming it is correct, the nurse pauses and double-checks the order. After reviewing the patient’s chart and consulting with the provider, the nurse confirms that there was an error in the original order. The nurse ensures the corrected dose is administered safely and documents the discrepancy. By speaking up and verifying the order, the nurse prioritizes patient safety and upholds professional honesty.
Integrity
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just received a new diagnosis of cancer and appears withdrawn and quiet. Instead of focusing only on completing tasks, the nurse pulls up a chair, sits at the patient’s level, and says, “I can see this is a lot to take in. How are you feeling right now?” The nurse listens without interrupting as the patient expresses fear and uncertainty. She acknowledges the patient’s emotions by saying, “It’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed,” and offers to answer questions or involve additional support services. By being present and validating the patient’s feelings, the nurse helps the patient feel heard and supported.
Empathy
A nurse is having difficulty with a frail fall risk patient that will not remain in bed and wants to leave. Despite the protective measures within the unit, he is not compliant and does not understand why he needs to stay. The behavioral emergency response team and primary provider is contacted to work through the best solutions to protect the patient.
Collaborative
A nurse noticed that during an intense shift, they tend to rush through tasks and articulate themselves in a way that may unintentionally come off as dismissive with other team members. Before leading the huddle for the day, the nurse takes a moment to reflect on their mood and tone. They adjust their body language, slow down their communication with others, and mindfully check in with themselves before conducting the announcement.
Self-Awareness