Jo’s laws of nursing: revised and updated!

Fifth and Last Law: Take care of each other.

This is the most important rule.

Nurses, of all the people in the healthcare setting, are the ones most pulled between conflicting responsibilities and crises. We have too much to do, too little time, often too little support from management. It’s vital that we’re there for each other in both big and small ways.

If you see a coworker drowning under an assignment and you can step in to help, do so. If you see somebody who’s having a hard time handling a patient’s death or downturn, offer an ear and a shoulder. If you see somebody being abused or taken advantage of, be an interfering busybody. We are our own most important assets, beyond brains and brawn and heart and spine. Be good to the people you work with, and let them be good to you.