Survival Tips for First Year Nurses

susanna · May 11, 2004

Say yes sir, no maam to everyone.

Is it only polite to use these titles in the South?

nursebedlam · May 11, 2004

ask questions questions questions,,,, Better to ask a silly question, than do a silly thing!!!!

mitchsmom · May 11, 2004

Is it only polite to use these titles in the South? (ma'am, sir)

I think it's polite anywhere, but it is not as common in other places as it is in the South. Even in the South I don't think it's as common as it used to be, but I try to do it just to be nice to anyone older than me.

When I lived in W. PA and had foster kids from the Deep South, people always thought it was sooooo nice and polite when the kids said that (it was force of habit for them). We got positive comments about it all the time.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · May 11, 2004

Say yes sir, no maam to everyone.
Is it only polite to use these titles in the South?

It is polite everywhere, but seriously underused.

If you are polite to everyone, they will remember you, and generally for good things.

berry · May 11, 2004

Remember just cause some rns have been there and done it doesnt make the why they do it the right way.

WEAR GLOVES many pts will tell you 60 million aches, pains and problems but leave off they are hep c+.

Charting is not a writing, keep it to short important info remember who will be reading it most of the time only a law firm. IF someone else wants to know about the pt md, consult, ect they will ask you most of the time not read the nursing section of the chart any more than i/os or v/s.

Be nice trolls will be trolls but most people respond better to laughter

OCCHCanada · May 11, 2004

Leave your ego at home - nothing is harder to deal with than a new grad with "grad-itis" that think they know everything. The art of Nursing is rarely something learned from a book!

There is no dumb questions, ever - and if you don't like an answer, verify with someone else. Trust your gut.

Enjoy your patients and allow them to see the kind, caring person you are. Sick people don't want the ever professional, cold hearted nurse - they want someone who feels and understands. Feel free to share light-hearted personal stories with your patients - you'll know the ones that really enjoy keeping up with the outside world.

Don't be afraid to share your grief with a family/friends in need. They will truely care that their loved one was so special to those that cared for them to the end.

tjb73 · May 11, 2004

Hello everyone,

I have been reading all the advice posts and it is wonderful. I am a newly graduated LPN nursing student. I will be starting my new job on 5/17/04 at a local hospital on the Med/Surg oncology floor. I am somewhat excited but afraid in the same sense. But, believe it or not, the advice and responses have eased my fears. I will be in orientation for 6 weeks. My biggest fear is the fact that I will break sterile technique. Especially when doing trach suctioning and inserting a foley catheter. I have done it before, but I need to do it several times to feel comfortable.

Alot of my classmates are going to work in the LTC and assisted living for the higher pay, but I want my experiece of hanging IVs and starting them. I don't mind a little lower pay. Plus you have to factor in all the benefits you are getting. All of this is part of compensation. I have just signed signed up for an RN program to take at home. It is through Excelsior College in Albany NY. I said that I was not going back, but I found this in the Advance LPN magazine. I was surprised that they offered such courses. If God willing, I plan to be an RN in 2005.

Last but not least, I am scheduled to take my Boards in 2 weeks, I was really scared, But, I have been practicing several hours a day and I am feeling confident. Besides, I have not come this far to fail.

Please give any and all advice

Thanks

Tjb/lpn04

KailuaNurse · May 11, 2004

Find another new nurse to talk and vent with. Nursing can be very stressful at times especially due to the fact of all the different personalities nurses come in contact with. It is nice to have another nurse to talk to who knows exactly what you are talking about and what a normal workday is like. (And all nurses know how wonderful some days are) :chuckle

edib1 · May 12, 2004

1. Be accountable for your own actions.

2. Be ready to work your butt off without complaining about it, you knew they were 12 hour shifts when you got hired.

3. Ask for help when you need it.

4. Never assume.

5. Do not GOSSIP! WHO CARES WHO DID WHAT AT THE BAR LAST NIGHT! It will get you no where and always seems to bite you where it hurts in the end.

6. Take initiative dont wait for someone to tell you what to do.

7. Leave prejudices at home no one wants an ear full all day long of things you dont agree with, Bi***ing gets old. Especially when you are busy and dont have time to listen.

8. Leave the CHIP on your shoulder at home at all times!! Take tips from exp nurses, take advice in whether you want to or not you dont have to do it, you can take it and work it in to your own style, nurses DO NOT LIKE new nurses that think they know everything.

9. Do not depend on other people to do your work refer to #1 if you dont understand.

10. Be respectful at all times to patients, doctors , and most of all your fellow nurses.

11. Do not track down your aide to do an ingenious job that will take you 2 seconds word will get around. They will make your life a living hell you will never be able to find them and they will not be very cooperative, atleast to your face they will be. but not behind your back.

12. When you are having a rough time take a break, you have a long shift to work just remember you will be going home soon, and someone upstairs is just testing your patience.

13. The most important thing that I think you can do is SMILE and be PROUD that you are a nurse when times get rough just remember why you became a nurse in the first place.

angel337, MSN, RN · May 12, 2004

1. Be accountable for your own actions.
2. Be ready to work your butt off without complaining about it, you knew they were 12 hour shifts when you got hired.
3. Ask for help when you need it.
4. Never assume.
5. Do not GOSSIP! WHO CARES WHO DID WHAT AT THE BAR LAST NIGHT! It will get you now where and always seems to bite you where it hurts in the end.
6. Take initiative dont wait for someone to tell you what to do.
7. Leave prejudices at home no one wants an ear full all day long of things you dont agree with, Bi***ing gets old. Especially when you are busy and dont have time to listen.
8. Leave the CHIP on your shoulder at home at all times!! Take tips from exp nurses, take advice in whether you want to or not you dont have to do it, you can take it and work it in to your own style, nurses DO NOT LIKE new nurses that think they know everything.
9. Do not depend on other people to do your work refer to #1 if you dont understand.
10. Be respectful at all times to patients, doctors , and most of all your fellow nurses.
11. Do not track down your aide to do an ingenious job that will take you 2 seconds word will get around. They will make your life a living hell you will never be able to find them and they will not be very cooperative, atleast to your face they will be. but not behind your back.
12. When you are having a rough time take a break, you have a long shift to work just remember you will be going home soon, and someone upstairs is just testing your patience.
13. The most important thing that I think you can do is SMILE and be PROUD that you are a nurse when times get rough just remember why you became a nurse in the first place.

you could not have said it any better. i'll add a couple: DO NOT take anything personal. everyone has bad days(you will have many) so don't focus on the nurse with the attitude. you'll get over it. he/she will get over it.

remember why you became a nurse...other than a better pay check. remembering that patients depend on you to provide safe, effective care will keep you grounded and give you a reason to go to work everyday (other than your bills of course :) ) have a great career!!

edib1 · May 13, 2004

:rotfl: I love being a nurse

edib1 · May 13, 2004

Hello everyone,
I have been reading all the advice posts and it is wonderful. I am a newly graduated LPN nursing student. I will be starting my new job on 5/17/04 at a local hospital on the Med/Surg oncology floor. I am somewhat excited but afraid in the same sense. But, believe it or not, the advice and responses have eased my fears. I will be in orientation for 6 weeks. My biggest fear is the fact that I will break sterile technique. Especially when doing trach suctioning and inserting a foley catheter. I have done it before, but I need to do it several times to feel comfortable.
Alot of my classmates are going to work in the LTC and assisted living for the higher pay, but I want my experiece of hanging IVs and starting them. I don't mind a little lower pay. Plus you have to factor in all the benefits you are getting. All of this is part of compensation. I have just signed signed up for an RN program to take at home. It is through Excelsior College in Albany NY. I said that I was not going back, but I found this in the Advance LPN magazine. I was surprised that they offered such courses. If God willing, I plan to be an RN in 2005.
Last but not least, I am scheduled to take my Boards in 2 weeks, I was really scared, But, I have been practicing several hours a day and I am feeling confident. Besides, I have not come this far to fail.
Please give any and all advice
Thanks
Tjb/lpn04

I am also an LVN you wil do just fine. Dont worry so much, I know that it is natural. I would be worring about you if you were thinking you already had it nailed. As for your friends it sucks to think that all they want is higher pay. Why would you want to lose out on all the amazing things you could learn. I have been an LVN a little over a year and I have already worked in wound care, med/surg, tele, and now I am in the ER. I strongly believe that the more wel rounded you are the better nurse you are. Soak it up girl you will be happy with the decision you have made. The is nothing wrong with workinjg in a LTC but only if you are doing it for the right reasons. I studied for two days before I took boards, turned off at 90. I took the cd rom from the back of my nclex and took practice tests until I scored an 80 then I stopped I was nervous but I knew I was ready. Dont focus on what you think will be on the test focus on the things you have learned,you critical thinking skills is what will help you. ABC's, saftey, you will know what I mean....... Good luck!!!!!!!!