Nursing 102: Navigating Your First Year of Nursing

[The_Optimist]

Just as watching a baby crawl, then walk and run is an exciting and joyous event; watching new grads mature and come into their own can be the same way.

But!

...but if not carefully monitored, spirits could be broken, dreams dashed and the light put out or dimmed. Don't let that happen to you; don't become a statistic.

In the beautiful oxymoron that is nursing the resilient not only survive, but thrive as well. You can be one of those.

Nursing is made up of unique individuals who share different beliefs. Some hold the view that new grads should be pummeled and pounded into shape, others are of the views that wings should be clipped to avert a future disaster and yet others hold the view that news grads can be cultivated but still yet be allowed to thrive and be themselves. And build confidence in their selves and abilities while tempered with caution and humility.

It is this last camp that I find myself.

Regardless of group views, your duty as a new graduate nurse, to yourself, patient and organization is to learn as much as you possibly can to make you adept with your skills. By all means, do volunteer for opportunities you can amply give your best efforts to. Don't just volunteer for its sake alone.

Ask questions and help when you need it...especially when you need it. Do your best to do your best at work.

On work relations, "Be courteous with all, but intimate with a few. And even then, let that few be well tested"

Keep your ears open and your mouth closed...your ears the better to hear and your mouth, to keep you from, "foot in mouth" disease.

Be polite but assertive. Just because you are a new grad nurse on the block does not make you a walk-over.

Be cognizant of the politics around you, don't be a player, just be cognizant. You minimize the bigger possibility of getting blindsided.

Do you best at work and when it is time to go home, leave work at work.

Tomorrow would come soon enough...

By

The_Optimist

[11nick]

I'm a non-traditional nursing student who's just now completing my last class in the program, and about to begin a new career. There is a lot of wisdom in what you've said. I've bookmarked it and will come back to it as I move into a new position.

Many thanks.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

The Optimist raises a very good point for not only new grads, but for most anyone in a new environment - you have 2 eyes, 2 ears and 1 mouth, remember the ratio and use accordingly.