New Nurse

[GeoffH]

I will shortly be graduating form nursing school and I have found that throughout my clinical experiences I have learned so much from the nurses I have worked with so it got me thinking what is the most important thing that you have learned as a nurse that you wish you had known when you first started nursing?

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

Your coworkers are not your friends. Be cordial and friendly but don't overshare about your marital problems or your sex life, or both.

You're a licensed professional with a college degree - act like one!

Never know a policy or procedure or where to find one; just keep parroting "This is how I learned it in nursing school" or "This is the Vanderbilt way." (I don't give a rip about the Vanderbilt way, whatever the heck that is.)

If you never want to advance at your facility, never agree to be charge. Never volunteer for any committees. Never express interest in any other job or specialty other than your current one. Never make yourself known to anyone in management or administration. Never express concern for quality care, patient safety or infection control (except to kvetch about your staffing ratio).