Advice for first day

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 20, 2011

Pay attention in class. Be polite. Be on time. Dress professionally. etc. Don't give yourself a bad reputation among the educators by showing disrespect, talking to your neighbors in class, texting during class, not following directions, not participating in their learning activities, etc. They can be a HUGE help to you -- and will also be the ones who will be evaluating your performance. they may even be the people who decide whether or not to give a 3rd chance when you make another mistake, etc. Start off on good footing with the educators and you will have influential allies. Start off on the wrong foot and it may hurt you down the road.

You'd be amazed how inconsiderate some new orientees are to their classmates and the educators running the classes. They don't seem to realize that first impressions are important -- and educators are usually respected members of the nursing leadership team. Make friends -- not enemies.

Potassium · Feb 21, 2011

Thank you!! Great advice!!

noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 21, 2011

Potassium, I love your username. I'm a new grad and don't start my job for a few weeks so I don't have much credibility to give you advice for tomorrow. Just wanted to wish you luck.

Also, llg's advice is awesome. I'd do what she said.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 21, 2011

Oh ... I just edited my post above to include a big sin that orienteed are sometimes guilty of.

Don't text during class: the instructor can usually see you. You don't want them to think you are not paying attention or that you don't value what they are trying to teach. That's a form of disrespect.

... And thanks for asking for the advice. My guess is that you will do just fine.

Congratulations on the job.