First day as an RN - words of advice

Vito Andolini · Jul 26, 2008

Congratulations on your huge achievement and welcome to the ranks of professional nurses everywhere!

I'd say to take your lunch. Have your pen, your scissors, your clipboard, and your stethoscope. Don't forget your water bottle and a snack. Have nice comfortable shoes, keep a change of underwear in your car or locker, and even a change of uniform, your toothbrush, a few dollars, and any meds you might need to take while away from home. Plan to secure your valuables on your person, such as in a pocket or a fanny pack, not in your purse or locker.

Follow all the rules you've been taught - how to identify your patients, how to give correct meds correctly, sterile technique, and the like. Do not compromise your standards for anyone. It's your license and your income and your morality on the line, no one else's.

Be patient with yourself. You are just beginning. No one expects you to be an expert.

Do not share too much personal information with other staff or anyone else until you really trust people.

You can do it!

mpccrn, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2008

TASK oriented.....it will keep you organized, it will help prioritize and it'll get the job done efficently ......good luck! :redbeathe:redbeathe

Cathlabnurse46 · Jul 26, 2008

I can't remember my first day! It was 23 1/2 years ago.... I think the long term memory is going too.

Your going to have a "transition" from CNA mode to RN mode which is not bad, it means your more likely to been seen by the CNA as compassionate on their side. Organization is a big key, so find ways to do that that works for you, or adapt others methods. As I worked over the years I found out that I didn't have all the answers nor the correct way of doing everything. That's what is great about nursing, we get to adapt and can be creative to find a solution. Know where and who to go to to get help, never be affraid to ask for it.... "the only dumb question is the one you failed to ask" and in some cases it can be fatal. So get to know who you can go to to get answers. Get familar with your hospital policies. I hate policies.... but they are there to protect you.

Remember your basics. We build our knowledge upon basic fundementals. As you gain experance, comfort and knowledge your judgement will become sharper based on your learning. Don't rush it... time will make you a great nurse.

Read, ask questions and seek learning opprotunities! But most of all take time to be with your patients.

Good luck and welcome to nursing!

husker_rn, RN · Jul 27, 2008

The best advice I ever got as a newbie was to learn to do it right and then you can learn to do it fast. better to keep good habits than to try and break bad ones. Good luck !! We'll be pulling for you !! And welcome to nursing.

Thornbird · Jul 29, 2008

Pay attention and hope you get a good orientation. Learn what you can from the nurses you orient with but don't necessarily follow their lead in everything. Many nurses take "shortcuts" that aren't too kosher. Follow all the basic rules you learned in school. LTC is a lot different than hospital work. Really if you have a choice it's good to do some time in med-surg before going to LTC. It develops all your skills and especially sharpens your assessmernt skills. If that's not a choice, do the best you can. Ask or look things up if you don't know. The policy and procedure manual is your constant resource. I still look up any med I don't know before giving it after nearly 25 years in nursing. The advice about doing it right and worrying about picking up the pace later was right on target. Best of Luck. LTC needs good RN's.

natrgrrl · Aug 7, 2008

Wow! There is so much good advice here. I will be starting LTC tomorrow but my schedule is only every other weekend. I am worried that I won't have time to get a routine down.

Any advice about this?

levisandtees · Aug 8, 2008

Thanks for all of the great advice!!

Nat, I have the same fear as I too am starting at a LTC working every other weekend...thankfully this facility offers 14 days of orientation and if I still need additional training (I'm a new LPN grad) they'll provide another seven days. The negative is that I won't have the same preceptor during this period, but I did schedule my training pretty consecutive with six of the days on Sat and Sun...I'm hoping to soak up all that I can, take good notes and get "in the groove" during orientation so that I'll be more comfortable once I'm only in the facility four times a month.

Best of luck to all in the new job boat and please keep the suggestions coming!!

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2008

How did it go?

luvtosmile · Aug 13, 2008

My first day was good. My preceptor was wonderful! There is a lot to learn both in patient care and paperwork! I think I am the same as most new nurses out there, wondering if I picked the right profession, but I know it will get easier with time, I hope!