Advice for the new hire (hint: don't show your faults for awhile 😇)

[Emergent]

A coworker and I were discussing a gal who was let go during the probationary period. She was dumb enough to show her slacker side way too early in the relationship.

If you were dating a hot guy or gal, wouldn't you clean up your place before a visit? You wouldn't want to show what a slob you are until you'd reeled him in a bit. You wouldn't criticize his nosy mother, loudmouth brother or irresponsible friend too soon in the relationship.

The same with a new job.

[Emergent, RN]

I've been a nurse over 20 years and still have problems with phones. I call it phone dyslexia. I'm sure it's covered under the ADA act.

[FurBabyMom, MSN, RN]

I've been a nurse over 20 years and still have problems with phones. I call it phone dyslexia. I'm sure it's covered under the ADA act.

As a side note, they changed out our entire phone system - new phones and new numbers a while back. Didn't give us a list of numbers we use, didn't put the preset numbers in the new phones, we had no way to call for help, no way to do anything. Overhead paging didn't work in the hallway either... They did tell us the change was coming, and set up sessions to go play with the new phones, of course none of us got to go to those. I mean, why would I need the new numbers to be able to actually make calls?

[Wrench Party]

"Ain't nobody got time for nothing no how."

I tell that to the latest crop of new hires on our unit, because some want to take, shall we say, an interventional approach to our more established coworkers. Unless you witness other nurses actively trying to kill a patient, mainly your patient, stay in your lane and drive your own car. The "nursing school" way is often not the best way to accomplish a task.

[Kitiger, RN]

I'm troubled by the idea that it's OK to be a slacker at work, as long as you start out looking good. Hey, if you want to be a slacker at home, on your own time, that's fine. But at work, you're being paid to do a good job. If you want to do well on your first job, here are some thoughts.

1. Come in rested and ready to work.

2. Be punctual and reliable.

3. Remember that there is more than one way to do a lot of things. Find out how it's done in your new job, and do it. Do it even if you think there is a better way.

4. Don't suggest new ways of doing things for at least the first few months. Show that you're willing to fit in.

5. Accept correction, and don't argue. Don't argue even if you think you know a better way of doing things.

6. Don't bring in drama from home. Keep home and work separate. OK, not completely and absolutely separate, but there should be a line drawn.

7. Don't display your ignorance, or talk yourself down. But do ask questions.

8. Ask questions, even if you think it's something you should know. You want to give excellent care, so don't pretend you know if you don't.

9. You will be surprised at all the things you don't know. And pleased at all things you do know, and that you're learning.

10. If you're having a problem with one person, go to that person privately and work it out.

11. Praise publically; figure out problems privately.

12. Don't go to management unless you must. Safety issues should go to management. Staffing, and interpersonal issues, not so much. Just deal with it.

13. A positive, can-do attitude will carry you far.

[TriciaJ, RN]

What the commuter said x1000..

My husband used to tell the people he supervised,

" First, have you tried to work it out yourselves?, NO? then don't bother ME til you do. In other words, GROW UP, talk to each other and if you can't resolve it as adults, THEN and only then, come to me, WITH A SOLUTION ---not just a PROBLEM".

He did not just want to hear whining, you better have some solutions in mind when you went knocking on his door. It fostered growth and communication. I thought it wise.

Unfortunately, there are managers who encourage petty tattling and enjoy showing up with a gasoline can whenever sparks fly. People can't work cohesively (or ever present a united front) when they're pitted against one another.

Your husband is smart to put on a big boot and punt the whiners out of his office.

[TriciaJ, RN]

"Ain't nobody got time for nothing no how."

I tell that to the latest crop of new hires on our unit, because some want to take, shall we say, an interventional approach to our more established coworkers. Unless you witness other nurses actively trying to kill a patient, mainly your patient, stay in your lane and drive your own car. The "nursing school" way is often not the best way to accomplish a task.

When I was in nursing school, the instructors actually told us that we were all going out to show the old guard how it should be done. Out with the old; in with the new-and-improved! What flabbergasted me was how many of my classmates actually bought this and tried it.

Now when I'm precepting a new grad who starts telling me how to practice nursing I just smile to myself while I set the record straight.

[brownbook]

Our stupid phones have a hold button and a hang up button (the hang up is for over head paging to prevent the "clonk" sound when you hang up the phone). They look very similar and are right next to each other. The number of times I have hung up on someone is legendary, and I am always surprised if I transfer a call and it works.

Cupcakeluver, your question is brilliant. Your last sentence sums it up well. I don't have a good answer or even first hand experience to share with you. I hope you get some responses, or maybe post it as a new question.

[Ranax]

Whenever you work with a complex phone system, try not to become overwhelmed.

Instead, take the time to play! Call an ext., answer ext. and place on hold. Transfer to another ext. Mix it up. Best I have found is to seek a competent clerk and ask for 1-2-3 steps for hold/transfer/etc. Become an expert who can then teach new employees. You'll be more confident, relaxed, and ready to tackle the emergency.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Best advice I ever got (in nursing and in life): Someone asks you to do something, respond with "I'd be happy to!" It is shocking how people perceive you when you start doing this. My evaluations ALWAYS include how 'cheerful' I am. Except I'm not. But something about the word 'happy' coming out of my mouth on a regular basis gives that perception. And SOMETIMES perception is everything.

[Nonyvole, BSN, RN]

Oh yeah - "that's not my patient" is an incomplete sentence. "That's not my patient, but how can I help?" is. Your coworkers will thank you, especially if they're busy and you aren't.

And if somebody is caught up in a room for whatever reason, cover their patients. You don't need the full report.

Teamwork works.

[pixierose, BSN, RN]

Best advice I ever got (in nursing and in life): Someone asks you to do something, respond with "I'd be happy to!" It is shocking how people perceive you when you start doing this. My evaluations ALWAYS include how 'cheerful' I am. Except I'm not. But something about the word 'happy' coming out of my mouth on a regular basis gives that perception. And SOMETIMES perception is everything.

I love this -- great advice!

[Neurotic Student]

I'm troubled by the idea that it's OK to be a slacker at work, as long as you start out looking good. Hey, if you want to be a slacker at home, on your own time, that's fine. But at work, you're being paid to do a good job. If you want to do well on your first job, here are some thoughts.

I second this! It's called work for a reason. If I come in to work, I'm here to work. I don't use my phone for texting, even if I've finished all my work. I see that others often use their phones. When I'm done with all my work, I help out with other people's work or go talk to patients. Or clean...

I also like the list Kitiger made, I try to abide by those as well.