What is your most valuable piece of advice?

[AmandaRN]

I thought that this would be interesting. As we have new graduates beginning to orient in our respective units, do any of you have any fool-proof pieces of advice for them? If you could only give them 1 "rule" to always obey as a nurse, what would it be??

Actually, I have 2 that stand out in my mind.

#1- Always go with your gut feeling. Minor and major hunches alike. For example, if you have a hunch that you need to check on a patient, check their BP again, etc., then do it. I have had many instances in which I think of something that I need to do, for whatever reason don't do it, then end up wishing that I had.

#2- Always take at least one more wash-cloth than you think you're going to need!! (This also applies to other supplies as well).

C'mon. I know all of you guys can add to this list!

[MQ Edna]

I love working with new nurses, and student nurses, and I love learning from them everything that they can share with me. I try to share one piece of advice that I learned, painfully, the hard way: never, EVER do anything against your better judgement! The worse mistakes I've made, for my patients, my peers and myself, have been when I've thought, "My gut instinct tells me differently, but because I'm too (pick one or more) busy, tired, strapped for time, I'm going to ignore it." God gave us "critical thinking" as a gift. Love this thread!:kiss JeannieM

[TrdNur]

Treat everyone as if they were your mother, or your family, and you will never go wrong

[cactus wren]

Remember that no one ever died from not having a bath

Even if all vital signs are fine, if a patient says they are going to die....they probably are.

If the monitor says that your patient is in v-tach, check him before you call a code......he just might be "playing" with his electrodes........happened to me as a newbie...........

[futureccrn]

1. Learn from more experienced nurses on how to get organized. Organization is key. Don't know how many times I have followed this one RN and have had a lot of things dumped on me simply because she is extremely disorganized.

2. Carry your "brains" either in your pocket or on a clipboard at all times. It will prove to be invaluable to you when you sit down to do your charting.

3. Always take time to go to the bathroom. I had a urologist tell me once that you should try to go to the bathroom every two hours as it'll prevent stress incontinence later on in life.

4. Take your breaks! You are entitled to them. Nursing is a 24 hour job. You should try to get all of your tasks accomplished on your shift but if you just didn't get to that dressing change because you were coding another patient then the next shift will have to do it.

5. Wear comfortable shoes! Your feet will thank you at the end of a long day!

6. Be nice to everyone. Including people that you cannot stand! You never know when you'll need help or whatever from them.

These are just a few pieces of advice I can think of. I recommend that all new grads read "Your First Year as an RN" by Donna Wilk Cardillo, RN. It gives practical and timely advice on how to get through that tough first year as a nurse. Good luck to all newbie nurses out there!

[stevierae]

Never take anything too seriously--have fun at work. Lighten the he** up, and don't let any negative people infect you with their negativity. Try to go outside at lunchtime and get away from all the "shop talk" and gossip in the lounge. ALWAYS be a patient advocate. If you ever become an operating room nurse, and you object to the "No Code" status being removed when the patient is brought to the OR (as is often done, as surgeons and anesthesiologists don't want a death to occur on "their watch," in the OR--) speak up and make your feelings known!! If your supervisor dismisses your feelings, go to the ethics committee--you just MAY be instumental in effecting permanent change in policy and procedure. So many nurses don't want to be perceived as "troublemakers" and they don't want to make waves--but patient care will remain stagnant (as will our own abysmal working conditions) if RNs in the field don't advocate for both their patients and THEMSELVES.

[Sami*RN]

-Double check EVERYTHING you do.

-When in doubt, check again.

-Keep assessing your pts., things change constantly.

-When obnoxious pts. stop complaining, something is VERY, VERY wrong!!

-Be a patient advocate.

-If they look like they're going to go down the tubes, they probably will.

-A second IV can save you butt!!

-NEVER, EVER, say "gee, it's kinda slow tonight!"

-Just for sh*ts and grins, double check again!

[stevierae]

Originally posted by cactus wren

Remember that no one ever died from not having a bath

Even if all vital signs are fine, if a patient says they are going to die....they probably are.

If the monitor says that your patient is in v-tach, check him before you call a code......he just might be "playing" with his electrodes........happened to me as a newbie...........

No kidding, cactus wren!! It seems like that ALWAYS HAPPENS; if a patient says, ominously, "I know I'm going to die" I tell the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, PRONTO!!! Often, the surgery is cancelled!! It's just a bad omen, and they are, eerily, often correct. I remember one of my first traumas to the OR--pt. says to me, "I just know I am going to die." Me, foolishly (being a new grad;) holding his hand, I reassure him, "We won't LET you die...well, guess what.....

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Howdy Yall

From deep in th heart of Texas

Play more golf, beat the crap out of those innocnt little white balls and have fun

[night owl]

the most valuable, absolutely, positively best piece of advice????

always, and i mean always cya...document, document, document!!!

even if you have to stay over to do it. legally, it is the most important thing you can do...besides getting your license renewed that is.

[fiestynurse]

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!

[BBnurse34]

Never, Never, Ever remain in a position that is not making you a happier person. Nursing should make you happy and proud.

There is always an alternative within nursing.

[Esther Migongo]

Hi all,

New to allnurses.com and enjoying it.

My advice,'always treat the patient,not the monitor' or the obs.

Always double check your drugs.