Yellow90

I have never worked outside of California I can only imagine the stress you must have felt. Even though I work in California, I have come across a few nurses who do not take their breaks. I try to insist for them to go, but they don't. I'm glad to see in the poll so far majority do not miss their lunch. I hope other states see the benefit in having a ratio.

Same here. An "uninterrupted" lunch break would be glorious.

Nurses take your breaks! I know some of you are thinking "easier said than done". I am well aware of that. I work on a very busy PCU / Tele floor where 1 patient is going to CT, one has to go surgery, and one of the doctors wants to round with you all at the same time. When I first started I always missed my breakfast break. Now I make it a priority.I have had those days when I have taken my breakfast break at 11:30am and lunch at 4:00pm, that is super late. I very rarely miss my breakfast break, but I will always take my lunch. Once taken, I am a happier me! If someone has not ate, you have a short-temper and low tolerance for problems. Even if not, your tummy is not happy and neither are you. This makes our job ten times harder, but this is a situation we have some control over. Once you take your break, take your full break. We will always have something to do and never have enough time to do everything. Prioritize patient care and yourself in the mix. Not taking a break will put you at higher risk for burnout syndrome. TIPS: Charting--> Don't wait till the end of the day to do all your charting. Chart as you go and as it happens. Find your break buddy at the start of shift. Yes I live in California, but my facility does not have a special break nurse. getting water for your patient ---> drink a glass of water also (that's something I have to remember also) :) Before you think you might take your break --> check all your patient's and give all the PRN if needed --> that way you have a some piece of mind, then run and take your break It is your responsibility to take your breaks and to take care of yourself. We give all day, so give back to yourself. You are also a priority. Everyone please provide your tips!!!! Rest Breaks Matter for Patient Safety The Long- Term Effects of Nurses Not taking their breaks

I guess i am new. i have been a nurse for 1 year in surgery and 6 months on tele. I just noticed this with one of the new grads on my floor. . I didn't mean hold their hand after orientation the whole time. I just meant overall, the phrase is negative. There are more encouraging ways to help a new grad and that attitude frightens new nurses when they hear it. I always try to see if my team members need anything or help a new grad. When you can tell a coworker is overwhelmed, lend a hand. For example, hey do you need help with you blood sugar checks. Do you need anything I can help with? Something simple as that. Lift your teammates up when they are overwhelmed with their day.

This type of attitude or saying in the nursing workforce does NOT show teamwork. We all went to nursing school, graduated, and took the NCLEX. We all deserve to swim and if we sink than our teammates should be there to help us float. Everyone says it is a team effort, but we all know the truth. Sometimes it is not. We have all started with no experience. Unfortunately, you have those experienced nurse who forget what it feels like to be new. They forget that intimidating feeling new graduates get when they realize they are not in nursing school. They realize they have their own license and will make their own decisions for the patient. Yes, they will feel overwhelmed and possibly want to cry. They might even think nursing is not for them. However, with an awesome team you will make them feel like they can sail into the sunset. The saying you will either "Sink or Swim" is so negative and discouraging. Your new co-workers will only drown if there is no one there to help them. We should all be understanding, compassionate, kind, and most of all supportive of each other. I think that saying sink or swim should not even be a phrase in the nursing community. Our duty as nurses is to not only advocate and support patients, but also each other. Nursing is a profession of compassion. The phrase "Sink or Swim" does not sound compassionate. A licensed nurse is someone who has an education and passed a state board test. A nursing career requires education and credentials. Nurses work hard to get their careers started and to be where they are. Nursing is a career where many have sacrificed things to get where they are. Nurses should not be drowned out of the profession they chose to get an education for. When there is a new graduate nurse in your facility help them swim, show them the ropes. Lift them up, when they are down.

Thank you for your advice as well. I didn't want this article to only be my advice. I'm glad you gave your advice, it is great. I agree, it is not a necessary requirement, but it is beneficial. I did not work during nursing school. So that was my regret being in the reality of the nursing job world now. This article is about giving advice. Advice being... * What helped others be successful in nursing school? * What do they wish they knew back then that they know now? I finished in 2013. I do work, but not in a hospital setting. I think the hospital is the most difficult setting for an ADN new grad to get a job in. If anyone else wants to give advice or tips please do! I'm sure your fellow nurses and student nurses will greatly appreciate it, especially coming from different perspectives.

This is titled "ADVICE to the student nurse". Advice is an opinion. I have replied to a previous poster why working or volunteering during school is beneficial to recruiters and managers. As I previously stated, I did NOT work during nursing school. My resume looked just like everyone else who just graduated nursing school with no health care experience. I don't know what state you live in, but if you live n California nursing shortage does not exist. New grad jobs are highly competitive. If you have an ADN, which I do, it is even harder to get a job. However, yes I do have a job. There is a TON of unemployed new grad nurses right now Join California New grad forum on FB. Every new grad nurse in CA knows how hard it is to find a job right now. We are now finding a way to make our resumes look competitive post- nursing school.

AllNurses is not a place to cheat in nursing school. If you need help "understanding" material, members of allnurses will help you. Call your classmates, go to your professors office if you need help, or get secondary material.

For those of you that can work during or volunteer (4hours), do so. ADN's have it harder than BSN's getting into a hospital. I have been a nurse for less than a year with an ADN. I am enrolled in a RN-BSN program. I did not work or volunteer during school. What happened was my resume consisted of part-time retail clerk jobs. Note: Student nurse rotations are not considered experience. However, what unit you do you preceptorship does matter. So pick a floor you love or you can gain alot skills. Alot of hospitals are requesting that their nurses have a BSN because they are going magnet. I have been told several dozen times by recruiters from job fairs and hospitals, get your foot in the door. BSN are mainly considered first. Whether it be working at the hospital or volunteering, helps get your foot in the door Real life examples: * Friend (A) worked for *hospital* for 5 years in the nutrition dept. Graduated with an ADN. Only internal hires with an ADN can be in this hospitals versant program. Everyone external hire was a BSN. * Friend (B) worked as a CNA at *hospital*. Got her ADN. Hired after a shortwhile. * Friend © worked as unit secretary at the ER dept. Got her ADN. Hired after a shortwhile. Point is, it gets your foot in the door especially if you have an ADN, where the new grad market favors BSN. Having no health care experience on your resume, does not make you look as competitive as the other new grad who does.

Study groups are not a necessity, but it does help. For some tests, I did study by myself and found it more beneficial. Study groups are good to quiz each other on and have someone else add information to a topic.

Many NCLEX book also come with CD's. What you would be doing is using the NCLEX book as an additional study aid for the topics you are studying in nursing school. For instance, if you have a test on the respiratory and cardiovascular system, you can find the diseases and questions in the NCLEX book that address the diseases you are learning. You might find that the teachers test questions are similar. The NCLEX books provide rationale for the answer as well. Don't think of it like you are studying for NCLEX. Think of it as a supplemental tool during nursing school to help prep you for tests. The NCLEX books are great too because it organizes the information of diseases for you. For instance, it will provide quick information such is *what the disease is, *assessment *s/s, etc.... If you are already studying NCLEX style questions, then it will not be as overwhelming when you actually do study for the NCLEX. Hope this helps! Good Luck :)

Thank you for clarifying it.

I love it. Great tips as well. 1. Yes. Do your own assessment. * You may find your assessment may be different from your nurses. 2. Do not act like a know-it-all. * Don't say "I already know that" , just listen if they are teaching you something. * Give out positive vibes. 3. Patient safety first. * If you do not know how to do it. Don't pretend. The phrase I hear alot is "Fake it till you make it". * Ask for help. 4. By bringing a PERSONAL card. * I meant to give t to the Nursing Administrator. Thanks 87RN, I love reading your tips. Your tips also apply to the working nurse. :)

Hello Nursing Students, Welcome and congrats to being accepted into a nursing school. I know you have worked long and hard to get into one. Congrats, keep pushing, stay motivated, and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. 1.Tests. -Practice NCLEX questions that relate to your test topic. - Invest in a NCLEX book your 1st semester. If you haven't, I recommend you do. - Some good NCLEX books (Saunders, Kaplan, or Mosby's) - It helps with the material, what interventions to do, and even gives a break down of your big textbooks. 2. Study Groups. - Study groups are best in a group of 5. - If you do not understand certain material, someone from your group may explain it better. - If you already know the material, someone may provide information you may have missed. You guys can quiz and discuss the material. - 5 is a good number because it is not too large or too small. That way if someone from the group can't come to the study session. There is always someone available. - The group can always add on to each others knowledge base. - Study groups are not for teaching all the material. Study groups are only efficient if the group has studied the material and have something to bring to the group. - It helps to divide and conquer. However, it is not for those that think others will pick up their slack. 3. SHINE in Clinicals. - Always be prepared. Don't ever say I do not know. Say, "I will look it up." OR You will have been prepared and have already looked up the information. - Always say yes and do skills. (IV, foley, NG tube insertion) Hunt for it if you have to. - Tell all the nurses on the floor that you want to do any procedure that comes up with their patients. - Get to know everyone and give a PERSONAL thank you card, if you want them to consider you for future employment after nursing school. *** Make connections at all the hospitals you go to. Create a linkedin.com account and ask to add them to on it. Give them a personal thank you care with your phone number and email. It seems pushy, but new grad jobs at the hospital are hard to get. - Think of Clinicals as a time to shine and make connections. Your network connections can help you get a job after you graduate. 4. DO get a part-time health care job DURING school! - I was told the program will be rigorous and if you do not have to work, DON'T!... .......BAD ADVICE.... - When you get out of school, it looks better that you have health care experience and you worked during school. It shows you can manage your time and you don't have this unemployment gap in your resume. - It will make your resume look better than majority of the new grads. - Job choices for nursing students: Patient care associate, CNA, LVN, student nurse extern (UCLA has this) - Yes, you can take the LVN NCLEX after 1 year of RN nursing school. - If you do not want to work, volunteer at a hospital (4hrs), or join COPE Health solutions and get into their Clinical Care extender. 6. Make time for yourself. - Nursing school is rough, but manage your time and make time for yourself. 5. NCLEX - Kaplan, Saunders, and LaCharity worked for me. - Kaplan is good for questions. It is designed just like NCLEX. You will feel like you are taking a Kaplan test when you sit for your boards. - Saunders is good for material. - LaCharity is good for tough questions and select all that apply. Good luck to all of you! You will do great. Stay Motivated. Nursing school will end and you will be a Nurse.

And how does the inexperienced gain experience... By getting eXperience... Every nurse gets training in a specialty. New grad programs weren't always around. Nurses didn't always have orientation with didactic classes for 3-6 months. I'm a new grad and trained in pre, post and OR.