By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: A Nurse’s Letter to the Interns
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hospital Administration > A Nurse’s Letter to the Interns
Hospital AdministrationMedical Education

A Nurse’s Letter to the Interns

Michael J Jones
Michael J Jones
Share
5 Min Read
Baby Doc
SHARE

Baby DocIt happens every summer – a new crop of interns show up on my hospital unit. It’s a nice rite of passage – a handful of new baby docs show up and spend a few months shadowing our unit’s physicians. It’s one of the perks of being a part of a teaching hospital – the patients get the benefit of some extra attention, and maybe even a new perspective.

Baby DocIt happens every summer – a new crop of interns show up on my hospital unit. It’s a nice rite of passage – a handful of new baby docs show up and spend a few months shadowing our unit’s physicians. It’s one of the perks of being a part of a teaching hospital – the patients get the benefit of some extra attention, and maybe even a new perspective. Nurses, on the other hand, aren’t always so lucky with the new docs.  So consider this a love letter to the interns getting ready to start working on the floor.

  1. You are a guest in my house. Please remember that. Nurses run the floor and take great pride in creating an efficient and productive unit. Be aware of that when you get behind the nurse’s station and take over the choice computers, chat with your fellow interns while I’m giving report, and in general rearrange, shuffle or otherwise jack with my work station for your temporary pleasure.
  1. Ask the nursing staff what is happening with the patient. Want to know how the patient is responding to medications? Is she still peeing blood? What does the disposition plan looks like? Nurses, techs, and other support staff are there around the clock. Your physician is there an hour or two a day at most. We love being a resource for you (most of the time), but we hate being ignored as if we are simply there to empty bed pans.
  1. But do not ask me how to operate the computer. I guarantee I do not have enough time to show you, plus your computer screen doesn’t even look the same as mine. We have access to completely different sections in the chart. Come in early to practice, force a friend to help, but I can assure you, nurses do not have time to hold your hand while you battle the computer. We hate it, too, sometimes, but we don’t ask you to fix it for us.
  1. Think really carefully before waking up one of my patients. Touch base with the patient’s nurse first. If he’s a light sleeper who can fall back to sleep relatively easily, then go for it. But if I have just spent 8 hours talking to, praying with, medicating and coddling this guy who is finally asleep, and you wake him up all willy-nilly, then there is going to be hell to pay, I promise you.
  1. Be a team player – most of us have years of experience under our belts, and when we ask you for orders, we already know what we need. Respect our experience. If you forget something critical, the savvy nurse you’ve shown respect to will suggest that typically, these tests are ordered in this situation. The nurse you’ve blown off may well call you at 0345 in the morning to ask you for an order for saline nose spray, stat.
  1. Want to really make an impression? Bring a box of donuts in for the staff. It’s a nice gesture that goes a long way.

We do wish you the very best – after all – you might be caring for us one day, and we want you to be as prepared as possible, Until then, don’t steal my stethoscope, and bring your own darn pens.

TAGGED:internsnursing
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

contamination
Batch Failures And The Hidden Costs Of Contamination
Health Infographics
October 21, 2025
Medication Management For Seniors
Simplifying Medication Management For Seniors
Infographics Senior Care
October 21, 2025
Guide To Pursuing a Career in Nursing as a Foreigner in the USA
Collaboration Is the Prescription for Better Patient Care
Health
October 20, 2025
Epidemiological Health Benefits
Personal and Epidemiological Health Benefits of Blood Pressure Management
Health
October 13, 2025

You Might also Like

Healthcare Expenses in the US: These Hospital Bills on Reddit Say It All

August 26, 2013
Healthcare CEO mobile training
eHealthHospital AdministrationMobile HealthTechnology

Healthcare CEOs Want Mobility Training

April 3, 2014
physicians and medicare payments
FinanceHealth ReformHospital AdministrationPolicy & Law

Physician Payments: The Not-So-Secret Secret

August 9, 2013
medical education debt
Medical Education

Medical Student Debt: Could Private Investment Be a Game Changer?

April 5, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?