New Graduate Nurse

[channel_egg]

Hello. I will be graduating in May with my RN. What is a piece of advice that you might have that you wish you would have known as a new grad nurse? Thanks!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

1) You're graduating with your degree. You are not graduating with an "RN" because RN is not a degree granted by the college, it's a license granted by the state after you pass NCLEX.

2) I wish I'd known that before I started shooting my mouth off and embarrassing myself :) But we all got over it, it's a common error.

[Barnstormin' PMHNP]

I wish I had known how to be a better advocate for myself in regards to my preceptor experience. I believed (mistakenly) that I would be treated fairly and with respect. I was not. If I could go back now I would be much more outspoken and not put up with the crap that was dumped on me as a new nurse. Be your own advocate, you can't advocate for your patients if you can't do it for yourself.

I also would have been much choosier with my first job. I had numerous offers but took the glory job over the one that had the best management and staff.

Learning doesn't stop with the NCLEX. When you get a job, be proactive and continue to study the info that is pertinent to your position. You'd be surprised at how much it can help you become comfortable in your new RN role. I did this and it helped me tremendously.