New Nurse

anon456, BSN, RN · May 16, 2014

Congrats!

Ask lots of questions. Slow down, be safe. Assess your patient fully at the beginning of shift so you know when changes happen. Try to make friends with your co-workers. They will make or break you (unfortunately). Bring candy and treats to share- it will make people remember you and be helpful towards you as you are learning. :-)

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · May 16, 2014

You have time to pee. You have time to drink some water. Eat your lunch, even if taking a full 30 min. break isn't possible that day. You are no good to anyone if you don't take care of your own basic needs. If you don't take an uninterrupted 30 minute break, take time credit for "no lunch"--don't work for free.

Ask lots of questions. Seek learning opportunities.

It's normal to feel overwhelmed! You'll probably feel that way for a good year.

Congrats on the job!

SE_BSN_RN, BSN · May 17, 2014

You have time to pee. You have time to drink some water. Eat your lunch, even if taking a full 30 min. break isn't possible that day. You are no good to anyone if you don't take care of your own basic needs. If you don't take an uninterrupted 30 minute break, take time credit for "no lunch"--don't work for free.
Ask lots of questions. Seek learning opportunities.
It's normal to feel overwhelmed! You'll probably feel that way for a good year.
Congrats on the job!

This. Absolutely.

Congrats, and good luck! What area are you working in?

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · May 17, 2014

Very best wishes in your new job!! How exciting!

Everything on a paper "brain" (there's lots of stickies of them on this site) You will feel a bit overwhelmed, but you WILL get it and get your groove.

Keep us posted how it goes!

vnguyen3 · May 25, 2014

Congratulations!! I'm new myself, here's what has helped me. When you find yourself going into autopilot mode, SNAP OUT OF IT! It's hard, I still do it. Take your breaks, even if you're in for a shift from hell. If you don't eat, you'll be burned out for the day. Ask lots of questions, and don't rush, especially with meds.

Ruby Vee, BSN · May 25, 2014

Find a good brain sheet that works for you and then use it!

Ask lots of questions, but make sure you're not asking the same questions over and over. Carry a small notebook or text the answers to yourself or whatever works for you. No preceptor likes to be asked over and over "now what's the number for the blood bank again?" or "Where are the Foley kits?"

Find out where the policies and procedures are located, and then look them up yourself when you have questions. You appear much smarter if you ask "I've looked at the procedures and I think I have everything I need, but I've never done this before. Could you please go over the Foley cath procedure with me before we go into the patient's room?" rather than "How do you do a Foley?"

Don't ask another newbie a question -- ask your preceptor, the charge nurse or some crusty old bat. I've seen more harmful mistakes committed by a newbie who asked another newbie (who didn't know the answer but pretended she did). And the corollary to that is don't ever pretend to know the answer when you don't. All you really HAVE to know is where to look it up. (See above.)

You absolutely have time to pee, hydrate or take a break. When the oxygen masks descend on the 747s, you put your own on before you help someone else with theirs. Same applies here.

The smartest new nurses feel overwhelmed and incompetent a good bit of the time. This, too shall pass!