Why I’m Succeeding Being A Registered Nurse In Barbados

Being a registered nurse is one of the busiest occupations that exist. Despite this, I would not trade my job for the world. This profession has provided me with peace and excitement that motivates me every day.

No two days are the same, each day is a new and exciting adventure. A registered nurse’s salary isn’t too bad. However, that is not the only reason why I chose this profession, I love science and helping others.

To practice as a nurse in Barbados, you must obtain a registered nurse license from the nursing council of Barbados.

I am also a part of the Barbados Nurses Association. For my colleague and I who are called to the nursing profession, each day is as exciting and exhilarating as it is tiring.  Let me give you an insight into my daily routine.

Typical Morning Routine

My day usually starts around 5:15 am, I am awakened by the loud buzz of my alarm clock. I sluggishly roll over and press the mute button. Before I jump out of bed I say a quick prayer and my day officially begins.

One of my tricks that helps me to prepare for the day is to have my clothes laid out the night before.

This allows me to get every second of sleep that I deserve in the morning. Who wants to jump out of bed and scramble to find scrubs, shoes and pack a bag!

Before making my breakfast, I get dressed. I pull on my compression socks, you may ask why I am wearing compression socks, varicose veins are the answer.

Because of the long hours I spend on my feet varicose veins are part of my destiny, to avoid this I wear compression socks. After I put on my socks I usually put on my scrub bottom then head to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

Yes, I always brush my teeth before I put on my top, who wants toothpaste on their scrub top. After I have gotten dressed, I make my way to the kitchen to make my breakfast and I must have a cup of coffee. I cannot start my day without a cup of fresh coffee.

Next stop – a 40 minute drive to the Hospital.

Arriving

At minutes to seven I am at the Hospital ready to begin my rounds. I meet up with the night nurses to discuss how the night went, and to assess how my day will go. We then walk around together to ensure that none of the patients have any urgent needs.

I usually take this time to exchange quick pleasantries with the patients. After this quick walk around the night nurses say goodbye while I am wiping down my work table.

Soon after I review doctor’s notes, to do lists, blood work results and check to see which patients are in need of medication.

If any patients require medication at 8 am I determine who is the most critical and should be seen first.

Being a Nursing Assistant can lead to a Career as a Nurse

Making the Rounds

If everything goes as plan, I am finished with patient assessments around 9-9:30am. One of the patient’s lab work had hemolyzed, unfortunately that meant I would have to repeat the lab work.

The patient was not thrilled about being stuck with a needle again, but my bubbly and calm personality got the job done. Once I am done, through the pneumatic tube system they go.

My next patient is excited for the removal of their foley cathether. Once I remove the carether I inform them of the necessary post removal steps.

He will measure the output of his urine ensuring that it is more than 200 ml. I also mention to him that we may have to perform a bladder scan to confirm there is no residual volume in the bladder.

On my way back to the desk my Alaris pump beeps, it alerts me that my patient is in a need of a new bag of Normal Saline Hung.

This is just the beginning of my Alaris beeping. Throughout the day this will periodically beep. In the process of giving my patients a new bag of saline, I make sure they are not in need of any other attention.

Once back at my desk I document the foley removal as an event note. I also reviewed the lab results from the specimen I send to confirm it had not hemolyzed.

One of my patients potassium levels was too low, so I place an order. Then I informed her of what she will need to do as I begin the medication infusion.

It is almost time for my break for lunch, and before I leave I visited my patient who had a new installed pleurx catheter.

I then educate him on the catheter for about 30 minutes, illustrating to him step by step how to drain the catheter at home.

Afternoon Releases

When I return from break, my patient has finished her potassium repletion and the doctor has approved her to be discharged.

As soon as I finished her paperwork and get her through the door, I am notified that I have a new admission. I hurried down the hall before the new patient arrived and performed a bladder scan on my patient who had a foley carether removed earlier in the day.

To my delight he has voided 300 ml, only 80 ml remains in the bladder and he can be discharged.

I received the report on the new patient who is an older gentleman with EKG changes. I made him comfortable and settled before I performed an assessment.

After I performed the assessment I completed the discharge of my patient with the foley carether.

I explained to him the antibiotics he has to take and print his paper work. I gave him one last set of vitals, removed his IV and wish him a safe trip home and a speedy recovery.

My next stop was to see my patient with the pleurx catheter, I am delighted to see him much calmer when discussing and illustrating the care of his pleurx catheter. This made my teaching a success.

Final Stretch

By 2:30 pm my shift is soon coming to an end. I completed follow up notes on my patients and hand them over to the evening nurses.

The past 8 hours have been tiring but so rewarding. My accomplishment for the day included calming someone’s fears about a newly place drain. I spent time becoming acquainted with my patients and explained to them their various procedures.

I enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my patients helping them to become more informed and comfortable with their procedures.

My most appreciative patients are thankful and calm because I took the time to explain to them how everything worked.

This eliminates the frustration they may feel when things take longer, it lets them know they have not been forgotten. They understand the process and are usually calm and comfortable while waiting to been seen by the doctors.

At the end of each shift I leave feeling like I did my best and I am excited to return the following day.

They are a few nursing job vacancies in Barbados, if you enjoy helping others and love science you should consider a job in the nursing profession. According to Google, registered nurse’s salary is around  $64,000 United States dollars per year but I’m not leaving Barbados.

You may consider being a nurse over a doctor.  A doctor’s salary in Barbados can vary depending on the type of practice and the number of years a person has been in the field.

Nurses are always in high demand in the labour market.

TIP: This lady is not a RN at  the QEH.

The two leading hospitals in Barbados are the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Bayview Hospital.