If you were/are overwhelmed as a new nurse...

anonymurse · May 2, 2007

I think the overwhelming-ness of the experience is kind of a test to shake out those who prioritize poorly or handle pressure poorly. Yeah, maybe it's something they should test for before admission and save themselves and the students a whole lot of wasted time and money...

anne74 · May 2, 2007

Ask a lot of questions - don't act like you know everything, because believe me, you don't. I was under the impression that nursing school would prepare me to start working as a nurse. Instead, I found out nursing school is only EXPOSURE to becoming a nurse. You really learn everything on the job - even if you already have experience as a student nurse or CNA - it's still very far from being a nurse.

Also, make sure you get a good preceptor as a new nurse - someone who has a similiar work style to yours. If you don't feel comfortable around him/her, ask if you can switch. My first preceptor was so terrible, I almost quit nursing.

Ortho_RN · May 2, 2007

Just realize that the real learning begins in the real world.... School prepared you for the basics, but its totally different when its right there in front of you.. Learn everything you can from preceptor... They will be more than willing to help you if you are willing to "learn"

chuck1234 · May 2, 2007

You don't learn much from school...only the very basic....

You must willing to learn and you must not afraid to work hard...

Getting along with others...never try to put yourself in the center...

Good luck!!

jill48, ASN, RN · May 2, 2007

1. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn. From other nurses, from doctors, from patients, from CNA's, etc. Everyday is a schoolday, even for the experienced nurses, like myself.

2. Learn how to organize everything; your time, your paperwork, everything.

3. Be prepared. You may get any patient on your floor any day without any advance notice, so if someone has a disease process you are unfamiliar with, look up this information beforehand so you are ready.

4. Be patient.

5. Actively listen to people: other staff, patients, families, etc.

6. Follow through on anything you say you are going to do.

7. Learn what is okay to pass to the next shift. Dressing changes can wait if there is a code and you have four admits and two deaths. But the IVPB cannot:nono: .

8. Be on time.

9. Be thorough.

10. Be consistent.

These are just a few, I hope they help.

jill48, ASN, RN · May 2, 2007

Couple more:

Treat your CNA's good. Your CNA's can make you or break you.

Anytime you put a call out to a doc, write it down by the phone who you called and why, in case you can't be found when he calls back.

Other than these, just try to remember all the manners your mom and kindergarten teacher tought you about sharing, being nice, no hitting, washing your hands, etc. Believe it or not, these go a long way.

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · May 2, 2007

* Learn to delegate. It's somewhat daunting at times if you're a fresh 20 year old delegating to someone with 25 years of experience - but you have to figure out how to do it.

* Get this through your head - you can't do everything yourself. You're not super nurse. It's perfectly ok to ask for some help when you're feeling a little overwhelmed. Trust me, we all go through those days...

* When in doubt - ask. Better to "appear dumb" than to do something dumb!

* Be willing to work hard. A hard worker is always appreciated. You may not get an open response or a "thank you" right away - but know that it counts. When the chips are down, co-worker support shall magically materialize by your side... because the good nurses know you're worth it.

* Be confident about what you know.

* It's ok to make mistakes. A good nurse strives for excellence but understands that s/he may falter on the way.

* Respect and enjoy your time off. The fastest way to burn out is to work too much. Don't guilt yourself into coming in very often - staffing isn't your problem, it's management's problem.

* Have fun at work. Smile. Hum or sing a little tune when you chart. Be polite and pleasant - it'll make your shift seem a little more 'bearable' at times :)

Remember - the most important things you bring to work : Your character and your attitude.

I wish you luck!

cheers,

clee1 · May 2, 2007

Some darned good advice here.... :idea:

llg, PhD, RN · May 2, 2007

1. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn. From other nurses, from doctors, from patients, from CNA's, etc. Everyday is a schoolday, even for the experienced nurses, like myself. .

I agree 100% with this. Teachers can help you find learning opportunities and information, but in the end, we are all responsible for our own learning. Whether we learn throughout life or not is our choice and our responsibility -- not somebody else's.

One of the best things my school of nursing did for me many years ago was to require that each senior plan and implement her own "course" -- a course that earned as much academic as a typical college course. We had to identify objectives, plan actions that would help us learn the material, carry out those actions, monitor our progress, evaluate ourselves at the end of the semester, etc. We were told that the independent study requirement was included in the curriculum to prepare us for successful long-term careers in which we would have to be adult professionals and take responsibility for our own learning. We shouldn't expect the world to coddle us and spoonfeed us. They were right.

elby812 · May 2, 2007

Wow, great advice. I haven't started nursing school yet but I'll keep this stuff in mind. Thanks!

RNperdiem, RN · May 2, 2007

Have realistic expectations.

This is work; if they didn't have to pay you for it, then it would be a hobby. Realize you will work hard to earn this money.

Expect that things will not always come easy, you will not like everyone you work with and bad days happen in every profession.

There is a lot of joy to be had too, so never lose sight of why you are a nurse.