Nurse Vigilance Definition

“Vigilance has a strict definition of being the state of watchful attention, maximal physiological and psychological readiness to act and of having ability to detect and react to danger” Meyer and Lavin (2005). Nursing vigilance to me means that you will always be on your toes, watching and analyzing everything that could happen. Constant research and updates on your patients and their certain conditions so that if anything changes in their vital signs or their respirations, the nurse will be on top of it and have the next step to fix or normalize their conditions. Being vigilant is being able to attach meaning to what is, being able to differentiate between risks and what to do if a risk happens, always being ready to act, watching the monitors and outcomes of patients, and knowing what may be. To me, as a nursing student, vigilance in this case is new and something just now considered. But, it has become a top priority that I know I will always have and need throughout my nursing career. “Failure to rescue is the clinician’s inability to save a hospitalized patient’s life in event of a complication” Meyer and Lavin (2005). Being vigilant
Keeping up with research and new findings on ways to prevent complications in patients or at least how to fix something smaller like bed sores. Examining patients after a complicated procedure or a sickness and keeping track of any changes so you will be on top of it if/when something happens. Always being ready to act and being prepared. Even if being prepared is just already having tape, scissors, gauze, etc. in your pocket so at the time where you need to be acting fast, you don’t end up having to run and get something and lose time to solve a complication with a patient. Above all, I plan to do all that I can to better the safety of my patients and being watchful of changes that might happen to