How to Calm Your Patient’s Pre-Surgery Anxiety?

Feeling anxious before surgery is common for patients, as they start to feel nervous and restless, even if it is not their first time going under the knife. Anxious patients suffer from symptom like – 

• Irregular heartbeat
• Increased blood pressure
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Sleep problems

However, this anxiety is not good either for the patient as well as for the healthcare professionals. It can be worrying for patients, especially those with cardiovascular problems. It can have adverse effects on patients’ overall health and post surgery recovery.

It is usually the responsibility of a nurse to calm down the patient before surgery and ease their worries. As a nurse, you would have already studied about such situations at nursing school. However, here are a few tips for you that can help to calm down the patients.

• Be punctual - It is advised not to leave a patient waiting before the surgery. It only fuels their nerves and makes them more nervous. As a nurse, you should be on time, so that you can ease patients’ fears on time.
• Converse with patients - Make conversation with the patient before surgery. Small talk will ease their worries and help you create a therapeutic bond with them. Listen and acknowledge their concerns regarding the surgery to get to know what is really troubling them. Let them know that it is okay to be nervous and they will be well taken care. Your reassurance combined with empathy will reduce their anxiety considerably and they will calm down.
• Be informative - Many patients like to know what will happen before and during the surgery, as lack of knowledge makes them uneasy. You can provide them information and help ease their worries. Educate them about the surgery and instructions to distract them. Such information will help them de-stress and relive the anxiety.Moreover, if they are too nervous to ask questions, take initiative to inform them yourself. You can also show them relevant images or videos to educate them about the procedure.
• Use relaxation techniques - There are a variety of relaxation techniques that are used by healthcare professionals to calm patients before a surgical procedure. It includes focusing on breathing, meditation and muscle relaxation. These techniques can slow down the breathing and control the heart rate. You can use such techniques to calm your patient.
• Music therapy - To ease patients’ pre-surgery anxiety, nurses can use music. It is seen that people, who listen to relaxing music before surgery are relaxed and less nervous.

As per the nurses who are experienced in the profession, there could be more things that can calm patient’s anxiety before surgery. These things can only be learnt with practice and experience while working in a nursing facility. 

If you are a nurse and willing to pursue a rewarding career in nursing in Canada, the best way is to go for International Nursing Programs of your choice. There are Canadian nursing programs that allow nurses to study as well as work in Canada. To know your options, you can explore the nursing courses in Canada for International Nurses offered by INSCOL.

3 Best Hairstyles for Busy Nurses!

As a nurse and always on your toes, you just don’t have time to worry about  your hairstyle. To help you look presentable and poised, here are three great hairstyles for busy nurses.

1. Flipped Ponytail

Via Pinterest

Nurses are always in a rush, and don’t have much time for fancy hairstyles. A flipped ponytail is simple and looks clean and elegant. 

Here are basic steps to get started:

• Comb your hair and tie it up in a regular ponytail. Secure with an elastic band. Make sure it’s not too tight. 
• Divide your hair into two parts, right above the elastic band.
• Hold the end of your ponytail and insert it in between the two parts. 
• Carefully pull the end back until it looks like a flipped ponytail.
• Your flipped ponytail is done and you are all set for work!

2. Top Knot Bun 

Via nursebuff.com

Having a bad hair day? This top knot bun is your savior for bad hair days. Follow these simple steps to create this chic hair-do.

• Comb your hair backward and make a high ponytail.
• Don’t tie your hair with an elastic band, rather  twist it clockwise. Keep repeating it until it wraps around the top of your head like a coil.
• Secure your bun with either bobby pins or an elastic band.

3. Bow Bun

Via nursebuff.com

If you want to look simple yet stylish this bow bun is for you. It takes just a few minutes to make and gives you a sassy look.

• Tie your hair in a ponytail and secure with an elastic band.
• Make a bun and leave some hair on the top of your head.
• Divide the bun in the middle so it resembles a big bow on the top of your head.
• At the back of the bun, pull the ends tight.
• Secure the bun with bobby pins.

To read more tips for nurses, visit our blog. You will find blogs on career, jobs, nursing specialty, nurse humor, nurse education, and more. And, if you are looking for specialty nursing programs in Canada, browse the courses available at INSCOL.com.