New nurse

I wish someone had told me that it'd take about a year before I really felt comfortable in my role as a nurse.

I wish someone had told me that feeling anxious when caring for patients on my own would be normal initially.

I wish someone had told me that I'd develop the ability to hold my own in conversations, no matter what the other person says/does/implies.

I wish someone had told me I'd be asking so many questions that it'd start to annoy even me.

I wish someone had told me how much responsibility was involved in being a nurse.

I wish someone had told me how depressing some days could be.

I wish someone had told me how elating and fulfilling some days could be.

I wish someone had told me that some patients grow on you and you'll grieve their passing more than you might expect.

I wish someone had told me that I'd meet 3 of my best friends after I became a nurse and that no one does red wine and "stories from the nursing trenches" like we do.

I wish someone had told me that doctors aren't gods and shouldn't be encouraged in that vein of thought.

I wish someone had told me I could set boundaries with patients and coworkers alike without being unreasonable.

I wish someone had told me that sometimes, being a pain in the *** is the only way to get things done, and if that's the case, all that matters is that it benefits your patient.

Honestly, one of the trauma nurses who I looked up to told me she almost put a patient into a coma from giving way too much insulin when she was new. It made me realize that even great nurses make mistakes at some point.

I have noticed that sometimes new nurses, especially those who are from more affluent situations with big long degrees, forget that every person on your ward is part of your healthcare team and deserves respectful, egalitarian treatment. Not just the healthcare staff, but also the janitors, the maintenance people, the kitchen helpers, the ward secretary--I mean everybody! I once had the opportunity to help a person who was just starting a very bad crisis because the elderly lady emptying the garbage came and told me that the patient "just had a bad feel to his room today." The laundry people and the security guy are every bit as important in the running of your facility as the neuro specialist. I always try to learn everybody's name and a little something to talk about, because these folks are often ignored and disrespected, and that's a shame.

Thank you everyone for all of your input! :)