Categories: Scrubs

10 nursing rules you’ve never heard of

7. Say “please” or we won’t do your tests.
If you’re working over the weekend at Worthing Hospital in West Sussex, England, you could—without reprimand—ignore a doctor’s order for blood tests if he (or she) doesn’t write “please” on the requisition.

In news reports, an unnamed doctor came in to work on a Sunday and found that none of his blood work had been done the day before—because he hadn’t written the magic word in the orders. The hospital defended its decision to require the “please.” A spokesperson said this was implemented in order to ease pressure on other healthcare personnel by making the doctor think twice about writing the order.

Next: To get a nursing license in Australia, you must pass an English test

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Marijke Durning

Marijke is a professional writer who began her working career as a registered nurse over 25 years ago. After working in clinical areas ranging from rehab to intensive care, as a floor nurse to a supervisor, she found she could combine her extensive health knowledge with her love of writing. Although she has been published in a wide variety of publications for professionals and the general public, her passion is writing for the every day person to promote health literacy.

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