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Too often, we nurses dwell on everything that is going wrong. How about (for once!) we imagine our world as perfect as possible? Here’s what I would have in my perfect nursing world:
- I’d never get pulled to work in another unit.
- Staffing would never be lacking.
- Patients would not be repeat offenders (admissions).
- Patient families would be amicable.
- Supplies would never run short.
- Pay rate would be generous.
- Changing jobs would be easy.
- All patients would have control of bowel and bladder.
- All patients would be pain-free.
- All patients would have five or fewer medications
- CT/X-ray/ultrasound machines would always be open and available.
- CT/X-ray/ultrasound machines would only be across the hall, not on the other side of the hospital.
- The elevator would open promptly every time you need it (especially during patient transport!).
- Nobody would be confused or delirious.
- All patients would be compliant and adherent.
- Physicians would not be passive-aggressive.
- Physicians would round on their patients all at predicted/scheduled times.
- Families would be present whenever a physician is on the floor.
- Night shifts would not exist.
- There would be no annual  job/employer competencies.
- CEUs would all be free of charge.
- CEU conferences would all be free charge.
- License renewal would be free of charge.
- All nurses, all units, all floors and all coworkers would get along and work together as a team.
- Bodily fluids would not smell.
- Blood–more specifically, GI bleeds–would not smell.
- IVs would never infiltrate.
- IV starts would only take one try.
- IV fluids would never run out or run dry.
- All invasive lines and tubes would be properly placed every time, the first time.
This is a very short list–I know if I sat and really contemplated it, I could quadruple it. I can dream, can’t I?!
Care to add to the list?