New Grad, New Job, New Role - Advice?

[86711lh]

Hi all, I am a new grad recently graduated in December, passed my boards in Jan and will now be starting a job on a surgical/trauma unit come February. I am extremely nervous, anxious and excited all at the same time! I have been a PCA(nursing assistant) for about 7 years now so I have hospital experience. The transition from PCA to a RN is frightening! I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me about things I should know, what to expect, or even experiences as new grads etc etc. Thanks for any input!

[MPKH, BSN, RN]

I've been working as a new grad for nearly 3 months now (wow, time sure flies!), and here's some pointers that I picked up on the way:

1) Nursing school barely scratches the surface on working as a professional RN. Don't worry if you feel that you've learned nothing from school when you start work. Just don't be scared to ask questions. Being a new grad, you have a bit of a leeway for asking "stupid/dumb/basic" questions. So ask if something doesn't make sense to you, or if you're not sure of something, or if you just need a refresher.

2) Be nice to the LPNs and nursing assistants. Especially those who's been working forever and have the experience and expertise. Learn from them.

3) It takes practice to learn how to talk to doctors properly. Take every chance that you get to practice that skill.

4) You will make mistakes. Learn from them.

5) Ask to observe skills that you are not familiar with. Most nurses are more than happy to show you how something it's done.

6) Don't shy away from opportunities for growth and advancement. I was hesitant to start learning how to be a charge nurse due to the responsibilities tied to that title, but I'm glad I said yes. I'm learning lots from being in charge, and it really helped me to grow and advance as a RN.

7) The hours are long. It takes a while to get used to working the hours and having a life outside of work...I'm still working on that.

8) Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself and be assertive. Don't let anybody walk all over you. You may be a new grad, but you're not the scapegoat.

9) Learn to say no to overtime and extra shifts when you've had enough of them.

10) Be humble.

[nerdynurse00]

I've been working on my own now since July - and time sure does fly!

I totally agree with all the points Diffindo_lumos made - nursing school barely scratches the surface of the real world of being an RN. Suddenly, you're responsible for people's lives! and there's no clinical instructor to go to with questions. You will more than likely feel like you don't know anything - don't worry, it is completely normal.

I managed to get a permanent full time job right out of school on a cardiac/medical floor, but I won't lie, the first few months after graduation were the hardest months of my life. I cried before and after just about every shift.. I was so overwhelmed by my new responsibilities and my feelings of inadequacy. I felt like I knew nothing! I had never talked to a doctor, taken a verbal order.. anything! And the family dynamics/workplace drama was an eye-opener. I constantly questioned what the heck I was doing in nursing - because this was not what I thought it would be.

But I did have a moment when I realized "Hey, I do know what I'm doing afterall!". There will be a time when you make a "good call" and somebody (nurse or doctor) will pat you on the back and things will start to get better. Believe me, that was totally the last thing I wanted to hear when I was bawling my eyes out after a shift - and it might take a while, but they will get better.

My advice: find a few co-workers that you trust and have them mentor you. Get to know them! Bond with your co-workers. Get on their good side right away and they will stick up for you and give you advice. I don't know what I would have done without them!

Good luck :)

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