New Grad Advice

[tc3214]

I am just about to graduate, and i was wondering what advice do you have to give a new grad? What is the most important thing that i should know when just beginning my career as a nurse?

[cokristinug]

I just graduated in December and I would like to tell new grads to not be surprised when you feel like you don't know anything once you start your first job. I learn more everyday at work than i did in school. Oh and I study alot more now than I did in school...but that may just be me

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Just keep on keepin' on. You will become discouraged during your first year of nursing practice. We all are educated to believe that we will hit the floors running, but it is not so. You have at least as much to learn about nursing as you have learned during your academic career.

Allow yourself to be "the beginner." Allow yourself at least a year to feel comfortable.

[misschiatia]

It takes years to begin to realize your full potential in any job, but particularly in nursing. Knowing what to do instills self confidence and encourages confidence from your patients. The more they are confident in you, the more you are confident in yourself. But that all starts with knowing what to do. Not what the book says to do. But knowing that you are excercising sound judgement whatever happens(in other words, learn your protocols and don't FORGET what the book says even if it's just one factor that helps you decide what to do.)

Above all...care about what you do...care about who you do it for .. and care about who you are and who you are becoming.

Everyone can't do what we do, but the rewards are great

[marty6001, EdD, EMT-P, APRN]

Remember that you have learned only the basics of nursing. Stay positive, ask questions whenever you can, and don't give up. It takes years to realize your potential...

[asfreeasabird]

Be confident in what you have learned. You don't need an experienced nurse to check ALL of your work. That being said don't be afraid to ask questions of nurses you trust. Find a good nurse that you can go to like a mentor who works with you often and wants to help you transition from student to professional nurse. Just remember to stick with your first nursing job it will become more natural, give it approximately 6months to feel like you know what you are doing.

[cncplus3]

I just graduated in December and I would like to tell new grads to not be surprised when you feel like you don't know anything once you start your first job. I learn more everyday at work than i did in school. Oh and I study alot more now than I did in school...but that may just be me

I second that!

I love my preceptor program at my job, I am learning so much it makes my head spin!

I will also add don't be too hard on yourself this first few months has been very hard, I am always beating myself up over things I forgot or missed, this is good but it's a fine line you can really beat yourself down

So although it's great to reflect and learn from you mistakes, keep a mental or written tally of all you have learned and accomplished as well!

[llg, PhD, RN]

Doing what's best for the patient is more important than how you feel. In other words, most of the time ... it's more about the patient, and not about you.

Focus on what's best for your patients (all of them, not just the one in front of you at the moment. Learn to see beyond yourself and see the big picture.