5 Things I Wish I Knew Earlier in My Nursing Career: Building Relationships

Looking to rapidly build relationships at your new (or old) job? Then read on for some quick tips that move you into the fast lane as you work to become part of the team. These tips are part 2 of a new blog series. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

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5 Things I Wish I Knew Earlier in My Nursing Career: Building Relationships

Warm, cold, delightful, horrible, genuine, deceptive.... Relationships come in all forms and all sizes, from a mere acquaintance, to the deep discovery of each other as individuals. As a new graduate nurse, or even an experienced nurse beginning a new job, getting in the fast lane that will catapult you forward is always a plus. Read on for a few tips to help you jump start your new professional relationships.

1) Say "Thank You" to Everyone Who Does Even the Littlest Something for You

As a new graduate nurse, you can use as many people on your "team" as possible. I don't mean only nurses, but unit secretaries, technicians, physicians, aids, environmental services, security, laboratory and radiology techs...you name it! Anyone working within or near your work environment is a potential resource to make your days better by simply sharing a smile or by supporting you, encouraging you, and/or helping you! As you build relationships, the loneliness some people feel when they start a new job may dissipate, and your patient load may even begin to feel even the slightest bit lighter.

2) Take Time to Know Your Colleagues

Sure, you're learning and don't have a lot of free time on the unit, but come to work earlier or hang out for a bit after your shift. Spend time getting to know your colleagues by asking questions about their families, what they do outside of work, what drives them in the nursing profession (Caution: only ask this of people who seem to love being a nurse). In my experience, when you demonstrate a genuine interest in people, they often naturally seem to like you more. Better relationships can translate to better teamwork, more help when you need it, lifelong friendships, and more fun on the job!

3) Discover Your Resources Early On

We are talking people resources here. You know, there are always those individuals who seem to be a walking encyclopedia or have every policy and procedure memorized. You want to find those individuals early on and learn from them.

Then there are the nurses who don't have everything memorized or know all nine steps of a procedure, but they are highly resourceful, know where to find the answers, or have the answers within their "Book of Brains" as discussed in part 1 of this tips series at https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/5-things-i-1083307.html. Their Book of Brains is likely more comprehensive than the one you're just starting so be sure to connect with these people too!

Find the physicians willing to teach. Soak up the knowledge and dialogue they are willing to share. Connect with the techs or aids who know where every supply lives.

Remember: Relationships are key.

4) Demonstrate Your Desire to Learn

When you have those rare periods of downtime (I hear you laughing), use your time wisely. Ask questions. Have people show you more specifics of the unit. Take those moments to go over the crash cart, study where supplies are located, review low-frequency high-risk presentations, associated policies and procedures, and equipment use.

Ask the seasoned nurses about high-acuity presentations and tell them that you want to see, do, touch as many of these cases as you can. Does your unit get a patient with an occasional need for a ventriculostomy? Do you know what to do, where to locate the needed trays for insertion, and what your role will be? Have you included this information in your "Book of Brains"? These down times are your opportunity for growing your "Book of Brains" resource guide. You never know when you just may need it.

5) Build a Journaling Relationship with Yourself

Journaling is a critical part of self-reflection. Taking the time to ponder your day, what went well and what didn't, and then write a few notes for future reflection and processing is a wonderful way to further grow as a nurse.

Many beautiful journals exist these days. You may want a blank journal for elaborate writing or doodling, but for those of you thinking "that's not for me", consider a more simplistic format of journaling through the use of Donna Cardillo's "A Daybook for Beginning Nurses". This book can be purchased from Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing at the following:

A Daybook for Beginning Nurses

This journal includes day-by-day inspiration from seasoned nurses as well as public figures like Steve Jobs, SARK, Dale Carnegie, and Former President Jimmy Carter, along with 5-10 lines for writing your most important daily thoughts.

Embrace the Challenge

Clearly, we are all different. What relationship building technique works for one certainly doesn't work for all, but hopefully I have given you a few thoughts to ponder as you work to become part of the bigger team. I challenge you to try at least one of these tips and then practice, practice, practice.

More tips to follow in part 3 of this blog. Until then, new graduate nurses, please share what worries you have. Maybe I'll expand on some tips for you in a future blog. More experienced nurses, what tips can you share with the future of nursing?

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NurseHeart&Soul

About NurseHeart&Soul, MSN

NurseHeart&Soul has 20+ years of acute care nursing experience across the critical care spectrum. She is a passionate nurse author and educator committed to supporting nurses on their journey. She believes every nurse deserves the resources and support they need to rise to their potential. Her peers describe her as “a nurse’s nurse” and a “true inspiration”.

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Specializes in GENERAL.

1. Always remember that since nurses for the most part do not own the means of production this creates a jockeying for position at work venues and often enough best friends may be on each other's menus.

2. Always remember that colleagially is an often referred to concept among nurses that is touted in nursing school and at work sites especially if there's money involved otherwise in practice not so much.

3. The routes to becoming an RN do not make for academic uniformity or professional cohesiveness allowing employers to exploit nurses at will while promoting internecine discord. (see #1)

4. Nurses are their own worst enemies. This statement is evidenced by by the fact that cops and firefighters get medals and pensions while nurses get disability, if lucky.

That's it for now true believers. But there's so much more...

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Specializes in SCRN.
1. Always remember that since nurses for the most part do not own the means of production this creates a jockeying for position at work venues and often enough best friends may be on each other's menus.

2. Always remember that colleagially is an often referred to concept among nurses that is touted in nursing school and at work sites especially if there's money involved otherwise in practice not so much.

3. The routes to becoming an RN do not make for academic uniformity or professional cohesiveness allowing employers to exploit nurses at will while promoting internecine discord. (see #1)

4. Nurses are their own worst enemies. This statement is evidenced by by the fact that cops and firefighters get medals and pensions while nurses get disability, if lucky.

That's it for now true believers. But there's so much more...

Sorry, WHAT? This one is really hard to read.

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Specializes in SCRN.

Thank you, a good article. I agree for the most part. Make friends, be nice, and learn. But journaling? Forget it, that is ridiculous. Who has time to compose I-so-feel-sorry-for- myself snots?

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Journaling sounds ludicrous but I am going to start. Maybe it will offload my constant mental notes, like "review procedure X" and "ask about policy Y" that never go anywhere.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Acquiring and nurturing professional contacts and your professional reputation is invaluable in any profession but especially nursing. I have spent my career with this goal in mind and although I can count on 2 hands the number of actual friends I have made I know someone, usually several someones in all the major medical centers in my metro area and more than a few of the community hospitals who are either MDs, NPs or RNs well enough to text, email or call for intel. My best job opportunities have all been word of mouth.

FWIW although I don't regularly journal for personal purposes its not ridiculous and in fact is a well supported therapeutic coping skill for many. I do keep a list of pearls that has served me well in practice.

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.
Thank you, a good article. I agree for the most part. Make friends, be nice, and learn. But journaling? Forget it, that is ridiculous. Who has time to compose I-so-feel-sorry-for- myself snots?

helen09~

Thank you for your comment. I wasn't insinuating that journaling should be a pity party but rather a way to process experiences and emotions that may otherwise be shoved under the rug. However, journaling certainly isn't for everyone so I respect your viewpoint.

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.
Journaling sounds ludicrous but I am going to start. Maybe it will offload my constant mental notes, like "review procedure X" and "ask about policy Y" that never go anywhere.

RNRhythm~

Putting the constant mental notes to paper may actually help you take action. Maybe even carrying an index card in your scrub pocket where you can file those thoughts until the right time to investigate what you want to look up. Thanks for being open. Let us know how the journaling goes!

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.
Acquiring and nurturing professional contacts and your professional reputation is invaluable in any profession but especially nursing. I have spent my career with this goal in mind and although I can count on 2 hands the number of actual friends I have made I know someone, usually several someones in all the major medical centers in my metro area and more than a few of the community hospitals who are either MDs, NPs or RNs well enough to text, email or call for intel. My best job opportunities have all been word of mouth.

FWIW although I don't regularly journal for personal purposes its not ridiculous and in fact is a well supported therapeutic coping skill for many. I do keep a list of pearls that has served me well in practice.

Jules A~

Thank you for your additional thoughts. I completely agree that a professional network is huge! Never know who has a job about to be posted, a connection you need etc. I love the list of pearls that you keep! Awesome!

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