seems like i don't know a thing! What's next?

Reigen · Jul 28, 2008

You made it! You survived nursing school--All should be well, right? Once you’re out of school and the reality of your chosen profession hits you, it can be quite overwhelming, no matter how thorough your schooling was.

So what can you do to survive (or better yet thrive) during your first year out there? Here are some tips to get you started:

Be patient with yourself. You’re just starting out. Take time to learn and gain experience. Most seasoned nurses agree it takes a good year to become somewhat comfortable and two years to be able to handle most situations. Go easy on yourself and think about how far you’ve already come. Even the most competent nurse once started out exactly where you are now.

Focus on the positive. While it’s human nature to dwell on the negative, if you focus on the positive, that will become your reality. At the end of each day, reflect on what you learned and on at least one good thing you did for someone. Write it down, look at it, and fall asleep with that thought in mind. Keep a positive journal of the times you made a difference or helped someone, including any nice things people say about you. Review it often.

Help others. It’s never too soon to lend a helping hand to a coworker. You might even learn something in the process. Show your willingness to help, and others will do the same for you. Be sure to extend yourself to students and other new grads who follow you. Treat others as you wish to be treated.

Align yourself with positive, competent people. Experienced and friendly people are all around. Buddy up with those after whom you’d like to model yourself. A person doesn’t have to have the same title as you for you to learn something from him or her. Many RNs have told me they learned everything they know from an experienced LPN.

Show some initiative. Don’t wait for someone to tell you to do a procedure. Seek out opportunities to get the experience you need. If certain procedures aren’t done with any frequency on your unit, talk to your preceptor, unit educator, or nurse manager about getting that experience elsewhere. If a certain procedure is going to be done on your unit, see if you can participate (or at least observe). Show your willingness to learn.

Build good relationships. Don’t wait for others to come up to you. Introduce yourself to coworkers on all three shifts, to physicians, and to others. Have lunch with someone you don’t know, and get to know him or her better. Learn others’ names, and use them. Say good morning and good night to everyone. Become part of the team.

Keep learning. Use your drug reference guide, the Internet, policy and procedure manuals, and other resources. Ask questions, observe experienced people, and ask more questions. Remember — you have to do something for the first time only once. Then it starts to be old hat. Do your homework at the end of each day, and look up things that are new to you. Remember — this is phase two of your education.

Join professional associations. Become a member of your state nurses association and specialty association. These affiliations help you stay on the cutting edge, provide sources of support and help, offer educational programs, and give you a forum to share ideas, and so on.

Don’t stay isolated within your department and your facility. Become part of the greater whole, and develop close ties with your colleagues on state and national levels.

Track your progress. We all have a tendency to look at where we are now and where we still want to go. We lose sight of the progress we’ve already made and keep making. Consider starting a log. Record your accomplishments periodically, including any new procedures you do. Start with what you’ve already done, including getting through school ready to take the boards,taking and passing that examination and keep adding to it. Review it on a regular basis to see how far you’ve really come.

Manage your stress. Stress is not something to be tolerated; it should be managed. Everyone has stress in his or her life. As caregivers, we’re particularly susceptible. Make time to socialize, engage in leisure activities and hobbies, exercise, meditate, and so on. That way, you’ll have more to give your patients, your family, and yourself.

Stay focused, and keep moving forward. With the passage of time, you’ll become more confident and comfortable in your new profession.

You can do it! How do I know that? Because I was once right where you are now. Who knows? Maybe someday you’ll be giving advice to new grads or writing a career advice column for nurses. I’ve come a long way since I got out of school almost 20 years ago, and you will, too. Hang in there. It’s definitely worth it. You can do it. I know you can!

Reigen

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2008

Many before you have felt the same. I was a nervous wreck and now I'm a competant, compassionate nurse with highly marketable skills.

Please realize that time will build confidence and ability! You can do it. Take it one day at a time, Rome wasn't built in a day.

LadyTiger44 · Jul 29, 2008

Well said Reigen!!!

I am also a new grad as of May; started my training for eventually the Transplant ICU (when it opens) but I am training on the SICU on May 27th. I will not be on my own until September 7th-granted the first 3 weeks were central nursing orientation phase one, Kaplan review, and our computer charting training. We also take Critical Core Classes where we go through each body system, learn how to read EKGs, etc. It has been EXTREMELY hard at times, and don't be surprized when you cry the whole way home--I just did last week, our pt needed emergently intubated.

That said, there are MANY hospitals that you will not have a long or extensive orientation and they will/can throw you to the sharks on your own. I had never worked in the hospital during school and did not have the most diverse clinicals. So make sure you get a job where you have a nice amount of time on orientation with a preceptor.

Don't let your RN go to your head like some nurses who do-ex. talking down to PCAs/CNAs, not wanting to clean up their patients after a bm, just the idea that I am God's gift to Nursing. Remember that without EVERY person working on that unit/in the WHOLE hospital--THERE WOULD BE NO HOSPITAL!!!!

Try and learn names and address them by them and ask them how THEIR day is going, if you can do anything to help them--you will become very respected and liked by your fellow peers.

Attend all extra meetings that you can-it will show your boss you are serious about your job, would like to help make the decisions and when you feel you deserve a raise-you will get it!

Recognize that you will learn something new everyday and embrace it!

Oh yeah, one more thing-If you join ANA you are automatically joined into your state nurses association!

Good Luck!

TMorrison, RN

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Jul 29, 2008

LOL Pink I feel the same way as you! :chuckle

Thank goodness there are so many wonderful nurses here on allnurses that can answer your question (same as mine)