How to have a smoother transition

[astucki3]

I've been told numerous times about how the first 6-9 months of working as a new licensed nurse can be extremely stressful, taxing, and even make you question going into the nursing profession. Does anyone have any advice to help make that transition smoother?

[SubSippi]

Pee when you have to pee, don't get overly worried about getting behind (you'll catch up), and go ahead and decide in advance not to get your feelings hurt when people (patients, their families, or coworkers) get snippy with you.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

If you enter the workplace looking to find lateral violence and bullies, that is what you WILL find . . . whether they actually exist or not. It's far better to expect professional colleagues who will help you learn the skills you need to work along side them.

Learn to take criticism well, even if you don't like the way it's delivered. Not everyone is good at giving constructive criticism, but there is probably a nugget in there that you need to know.

Ask questions wisely. Rather than asking "What do I do?", try looking for the answer first. Then, if you still have to ask the question, explain what you've done to find out the answer and ask for suggestions about where else you could be looking. Find out what your resources are, and use them. The policy/procedure manuals (often helpfully online these days) are your friends. If you've never inserted a Foley, for example, look up the procedure before asking for help. Then you'll have a far better idea of what sort of help you need AND you'll look smarter. Carry a notebook (or use your smartphone or whatever) and keep track of the questions you've had to ask and the answers. You don't want to be the person who asks "Where are the urimeters kept?" five times from three people and still can't find one.

Develop a thick skin. Sometimes in the press of patient care issues, nurses a direct and to the point -- maybe much more than you're used to. "You put your I & O totals in the wrong column" just means that you put your I & O totals in the wrong column, not that you're a terrible nurse, a horrible person or that your preceptor hates you.

There are numerous threads on this topic. Search for them and you'll have more tips than you'll know what to do with! Good luck!

[MSNrunner]

I am about 6 months into my first nursing job. It has been pretty tough, but I found that asking as many questions as I could (even if they sounded like dumb questions) during orientation helped prepare me for being on my own. I have also found certain nurses to be very helpful to go to when I have questions. I still ask a million questions a day and have learned which nurses to go to for help. Some have been great and others, not so much. Delegation is another thing that is so important for new nurses. Sometimes it is difficult to tell an aid (especially if they have worked on the floor for 30+ years) to do something for you. I have learned the hard way that I cannot get through the day without delegating. I have also learned that keeping my paperwork organized is key to getting through the day. I write down med times, vitals, MD pager numbers, and my to do list on a chart and then staple it to the front of my patient sheets. I am still learning too, but these are some of the things that have helped me so far. I hope this helps!