How to Survive Your First Day as a Nurse

ShannonLee · Dec 7, 2015

My name is Shannon Lee and I have been working as a registered nurse in oncology for two years now. Recently, I accepted a travel position in travel nursing. Although I have been a nurse for two years, this new position I've accepted makes me feel like a novice all over again.These emotions incited me to write to new nurses and help guide them through their first day as a working nurse.

Your first day truly starts the day before. Make sure your clothes are ironed and laid out for the next day. This prevents the morning rush. Going to bed at a reasonable time will help you retain all of the new information you will be learning the next day. When you wake up, eat a good breakfast. Eat something nutritional that will give you energy for a good jump start on your day. When you arrive on the unit, there will be a plethora of things to remember. Between hospital policies and key codes, it will be a lot of new information to keep up with. Make sure you bring a notebook to write down all of this new information. That way you can have something to refer back to when you need it.

It is important to always be friendly and thoughtful towards your fellow nurses. They will soon become your family. It is much easier getting through a difficult shift when you know your teammates are in your corner and supporting you along the way. Patients are safer when nurses collaborate and communicate together. Help create that healthy work environment for the staff and your patients.

Last but not least, ask questions! The most dangerous thing you can do is to be unsure about your nursing care. You are expected to have many questions and there is no shame in asking them. You will not look ignorant by asking questions and it will help you grow as a nurse. I still ask questions from the more experienced nurses. There is so much to learn in nursing so if you are lucky, you will be able to ask questions throughout the length of your career. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, stop and take a deep breath and remember that we were all novices one point in time.