The topic says it all. What's the one thing you wish you could tell your younger self, either as a student, or as a newb nurse?

Have confidence in yourself! I lacked self-confidence as a student and a new nurse and that lack of confidence held me back personally and professionally.

It took me many years go grow some backbone and learn to stand up for myself. Now I choose my battles and sometimes I let things go, but I'm no longer a pushover. I would have been much happier in my career and in life had I figured this out earlier.

It's okay to stop and breathe or pee.

There is nothing wrong with a little bit of prozac to help you get through the day.

As a student, I wish I had paid more attention to the unit routines. I think I would have been more confident if I knew what I was supposed to be doing at any given time. Also, I was kind of scared of "difficult" patients as a student (vents, especially). I wish I could tell myself to get over it, because it's not that big of a deal for me now.

You're not going to be perfect--deal with it! You will miss IVs, have struggles with time management, etc. (P.S. be perfect when it comes to med. administration though!)

Take your time. Get used to wherever you are placed. Older nurses are your lifeline. Above all go in eyes open and willing to pitch in and learn.

Take any and every opportunity that presents itself (and seek new ones) to perform skills that you have "learned." If you practice as a student, you have one less worry when you start your first nursing job. Bite the bullet and DO IT!

Have faith in yourself. You are stronger and smarter than you think. Keep your head up during rough times and never give up!

Nursing is more physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging than you can possibly imagine.

Be prepared for exhaustion.

Have a little fun!

Skip that one job "opportunity" to work in Staff Education. Your boss will turn out to be an evil, sadistic slave driver and you will have nightmares for the next 25 years if you take it. Ditto that first School nurse job--Walk on by, girl. The next one will be so much better you won't believe it.

Oh, and buy good shoes. $150 is not too much.

Ask questions! I'm most comfortable as a loner but I learned the hard way that asking questions is uber-important and does not mean I'm weak.

Ask questions! I'm most comfortable as a loner but I learned the hard way that asking questions is uber-important and does not mean I'm weak.

asking questions is uber-important and does not mean I'm weak.

This is probably the singularly most important thing I've learned in my life, and I'm so glad to see it posted here. Thanks Duchess :)