Make An Unoccupied Bed As A Nurse

Making an unoccupied bed is one of the first tasks you will need to learn as you train to become a certified nurse. Mastering this procedure may take some time and practice, but it will likely become second nature after you have clocked several hours as a nurse.

Instructions

1. Wash your hands and put on a pair of gloves.

2. Make sure the bed is in a flat position. If it is an adjustable bed, raise it to a high position, but lower the bed rails.

3. Remove all of the used bed linens including the pillow and pillow case, and place all except the pillow in the laundry bag or basket. Avoid letting any soiled linens touch your uniform

4. Clean and dry off the plastic-encased mattress if it is dirty. Take off and throw away your gloves and wash your hands again.

5. Put the mattress pad on the bed (if one is included), straightening it so that it lies smooth.

6. Tuck in one edge of the bottom sheet, starting at the head of the bed and moving to the foot to tuck in the rest of the sheet.

7. Cover the entire length of the bed with the top sheet. The hem should reach the edge of the mattress's head.

8. Put the blanket over the top sheet, centering it on the bed approximately 7 inches down from the top sheet's hem.

9. Place the bedspread and center it over both the top sheet and blanket, allowing enough of it to cover a pillow at the top of the bed.

10. Join all the hems together diagonally at the lower corner of each linen, then spread them together over the bed and let them hang down.

11. Insert the pillow into the pillowcase, and put the pillow at the top of the bed with the pillow case's open end facing away from the door.

12. Fold back all the linens and smooth the mattress pad, tucking it under from the head to the foot of the bed.

13. Smooth and tuck in the lift sheet, then take the top sheet, blanket, and bedspread, pulling them straight and tucking them under the foot of the mattress. Now pull the bedspread over the pillow.

14. Lower the adjustable bed, if used, and stow away the bed cranks.

Tags: pillow case, sheet blanket, your hands