Dear New Grad Nurse

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Hi, new nurse here. If you could go back in time what advise would you give new grad You? Advice for daily floor things, best career moves for starting out, ect. Is there anything you would've done differently? What would you do if you were a new grad nurse right now? I could use some wisdom!

Thanks!

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Oops, advice not advise!

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Don't act as if you know it all. You would be surprised how many new grads seem to think they have already learned everything and they don't need to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of other nurses around them. Those types are dangerous.

If you are not that type, I'd advise you to not be too hard on yourself. It's normal to feel inadequate and anxious for a good while. You won't be the first new grad to come to work feeling really nervous and insecure. But hang in there; it gets better with time.

Good luck!

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Specializes in CVICU.

Don't make fun of the old nurses. Take some time and get to know them. You might find that you have something in common. Belive it or not old nurses were not born old.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Everyone makes mistakes, some serious, some not so much. The important thing is to own it, learn from it and don't do it again.

Meet the older nurses half way. We envy your youthful energy, and remember when we could do a double shift standing on our heads and not worry about brain fog around the 14th hour (back in the olden days when there were 8 hour shifts in the hospital). You don't know everything just because you have a shiny new license. Neither do we after decades in the trenches. We can learn from each other.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

The first year of nursing is miserable. Everyone is miserable their first year of nursing. The grass is not always greener at that other job you've been considering. Stay put in your fist job until you've become competent -- about two years. Job hopping DOES look bad on your resume!

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Yes. Wss. The first years were miserable and don't job hop looking for greener grass. It's not usually greener. It just takes practice and confidence.

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Don't act as if you know it all. You would be surprised how many new grads seem to think they have already learned everything and they don't need to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of other nurses around them. Those types are dangerous.

If you are not that type, I'd advise you to not be too hard on yourself. It's normal to feel inadequate and anxious for a good while. You won't be the first new grad to come to work feeling really nervous and insecure. But hang in there; it gets better with time.

Good luck!

I totally agree with know it alls being dangerous. I'm very eager to learn and know that I will always be doing so! Thank you so much for the advice!

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Don't make fun of the old nurses. Take some time and get to know them. You might find that you have something in common. Belive it or not old nurses were not born old.

I'll definitely do that (get to know them)! I know everyone will be able to teach me a lot. Thank you!

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Everyone makes mistakes, some serious, some not so much. The important thing is to own it, learn from it and don't do it again.

Meet the older nurses half way. We envy your youthful energy, and remember when we could do a double shift standing on our heads and not worry about brain fog around the 14th hour (back in the olden days when there were 8 hour shifts in the hospital). You don't know everything just because you have a shiny new license. Neither do we after decades in the trenches. We can learn from each other.

That's what I fear the most about everything I think, the mistakes. I'm the time of person that's really hard on myself and will never make the same mistake twice! I'm definitely eager to learn as much as I can from everyone around me. Thanks for the advice!

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The first year of nursing is miserable. Everyone is miserable their first year of nursing. The grass is not always greener at that other job you've been considering. Stay put in your fist job until you've become competent -- about two years. Job hopping DOES look bad on your resume!

I've heard that a lot! I'm kind of preparing myself for the worst but hoping for the best. I'm hoping to find a hospital network I can really grow with and stay with for a long time! Thank you so much for the advice!

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

If you didn't get a job doing what you wanted right out of the gate it's okay. Plan your moves so that you gain more relevant acute skills (tele, progressive care, etc) and you can work your way there.

Make friends with everyone. You never know when the housekeeper is going to get you the secret stash of awesome boxes from OR that are perfect for moving, or the cafeteria people will give you free food when you left your wallet at home. Not to mention the potential for your career: your coworkers today might by nurse managers tomorrow.

Always be patient-centered. Whether you're writing a resume, making a complaint, or pitching an idea to your boss, always make it about the patient and not you.

Pack your lunch, don't eat hospital food, don't eat from vending machines. :p

I feel like I should have more advice for new grad me, but I can't think of anything else right now. I'm sure it'll come to me as I'm leaving for work. That's what usually happens.

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