Best Advice for New Nurses on their First Job?

[Ankh]

This question is for my experienced nurse colleagues. What is it that you feel makes for a successful nurse? What advice would you give to a new nurse grad starting his or her first job? I am preparing to begin my first nursing position in a hospital and really want to give it my best. There seems to be a huge learning curve between being a student nurse and a professional RN and I'm looking to do what I can to give the best patient care possible and help myself in my development into my new role. Thank you for sharing your insight!

[Ankh]

Wow! These are all amazing suggestions. I am making note of them all! Thank you so much for taking the time :) it means a lot to me and I hope other new nurses also benefit from such rich information.

[Jules A, MSN]

Watch the environment and learn who really knows their stuff. Those are the nurses who it would behoove you to suck up to. I attempted to find a more palatable way to express that sentiment but it just didn't happen. In my experience the knowledge that was simply handed to me by generous coworkers catapulted my competence. It would have taken me years, if ever, to figure out some of the important subtleties they were willing to share with me simply because I was eager to learn, respectful and appreciative of their assistance. Please don't come in with a chip on your shoulder. I made it a point to offer to do the few things I knew how to do to help them when busy such as getting coffee, grabbing supplies, taking vitals etc. I wasn't too good to do anything and it bought me credibility with my fellow RNs and techs while I was scrambling around trying to figure out how to be a nurse. Good luck and congratulations on your new job!

[amoLucia]

For pt care - when in doubt, always err on the safe side. If your little inner voice tells you something just doesn't seem right, listen to it and be safe.

Listen to others' opinions/comments re pts - some may not be your professional peer, but they are your colleagues. LPNs, CNAs, lab techs, kitchen staff, even the housekeepers may tune into something that you haven't caught yet - always check it out IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Praise & compliment others in public, critique in private.

And my favorite, make sure you have your own malpractice insurance. Nurses do not work in a vacuum - when something big happens there freq is someone else involved and you get sucked in. Don't let someone else suck you in!

Good luck.