"if I could give you any advice" New RN wants advice!

[jitterbugg]

So I start my first RN job tomorrow - yay! The few RNs I've chatted with recently have given me some great advice "start planning for retirement now - 20 years will go by fast and then you'll realize you have to keep working, because you didn't plan" "your back is everything so take care if it and get monthly massages" "good shoes will be your lifesaver" "take your breaks".

My question goes to the experienced nurses who wished they would have done something differently in their career and/or new nurses who have received some excellent advice who would like to share - What is the best lifetime advice you would give a new RN?

Thanks for your support and advice to start my career!

[Flo., BSN, RN]

It takes a lot more to kill someone than you think.

I was a nervous wreck as a new grad, always thinking that I would make an error and my pts would die. A very experienced nurse told me this and it made me feel so much better.

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

If you want to study further, do it while you're young. Eat healthily and keep your weight under control. Always make sure you get enough sleep.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Wow, that's a loaded question that I must give some thought to.

The best "lifetime advice" that I can give you as you start your career in nursing is to focus 100% on the patient you are caring for during the short time you are with them. Nursing is a constant juggling act of deadlines, delegating duties, calculating drug dosages, managing several duties at once, prioritizing care, doing all of the above without error and with safety being in the forefront of your mind at all times. Our jobs are HARD! But if you take just a few minutes and focus on NOTHING but the patient in front of you as you are doing your assessment, taking vitals, administering meds, teaching, etc., you will know without a doubt that you have done your level best for that patient. The rest is just static.

There is so much more that I could add to this, but I will refrain. I am proud of you for landing a job and even more proud of you for seeking advice in order to better prepare yourself for your career.

Keep us posted on your progress!

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

It takes a lot more to kill someone than you think.

I was a nervous wreck as a new grad, always thinking that I would make an error and my pts would die. A very experienced nurse told me this and it made me feel so much better.

I have to agree. My first night in the NICU I was almost paralyzed with fear. A more experienced nurse leaned in and said, "They're pretty hard to kill." After a few months, i realized it's true. Most babies, like most adults, want to live more than anything and they are loathe to give up breathing.

My advice to any new nurse is do not scrimp on shoes. You need to buy the best shoes you can find. I paid $130 for my last pair of New Balance shoes and I wear them every day. Good shoes will help save your knees and feet. I did not understand that until I was much older and by that time it was too late. The (extensive) damage is done. My feet are permanently damaged and can only be corrected with extremely painful reconstructive surgery.

Do not underestimate the importence of sleep. Again, i didn't understand what i understand now. Twenty-five years of night shift has ruined my sleep and left me with two sleep disorders. I don't think I will ever be able to sleep without assistance again.

And finally, don't let nursing become your identity. Nursing is what you do, not who you are. You are not obligated to fix anyone. Resist the strong temptation to rescue--and believe it, it is a very strong impulse. But like the airline attendents say, "Put the oxygen mask on yourself first." If you don't find ways to take care of yourself, you will burn out and not be able to help anyone. Trust me on this one. Nurses have an unusually high propensity for mental health and substance abuse issues. Be sure your spoons stay full.

[Testa Rosa, RN]

Listen before you speak; focus on the task at hand; lay low and stay away from gossip; buy good shoes you will walk miles in them, decompress with exercise and friendship, stay calm and carry on.

[Mulan]

That retirement thing is right on, open an IRA and max it out every year, and max out whatever other retirement plan you have access to.

[N.U.R.S.E.]

Be flexible nothing usually goes according to plan get acquainted with your delienation of privileges usually can be found on your board of nursing keep learning and if you are not comfortable doing something say so and always remember cya document document document and if you haven't practiced your skills buy some dvd rom online so you can watch them over and over again

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Never stop learning. Even if you don't go back to school, you can still continue to further your nursing education in other ways. It always amazes me the nurses I work with that don't know "why" we're doing certain interventions, when all you have to do is ask the dr or look it up

Don't be afraid to admit to the experienced nurses around you when you need help.

Your nurse's aide is your best friend. Treat them with dignity and they will have your back when you are running around like crazy.

Don't be afraid to pick up extra shifts for the money, but be careful of burning yourself out. 4 12's a week is enough for me.

Try to drink enough during your shift.

Don't act like you know everything just because you just finished nursing school. Act eager to learn and your co-workers will be eager to teach you.

[learning&yearning]

Thanks for this post and the replies. :redbeathe

[studentgolfer]

Your nurse's aide is your best friend. Treat them with dignity and they will have your back when you are running around like crazy.

Don't act like you know everything just because you just finished nursing school. Act eager to learn and your co-workers will be eager to teach you.

I just got into NS, but I have been a CNA in med/surg telemetry for 4+ years, but I have to really agree with this. TREAT YOUR CNA'S like your colleagues and you will be rewarded. Not to toot my horn but I always get reviews that the staff love having me as an aide etc etc but I have had RN's (and some LPN's) treat me like I knew nothing and was their slave and of course I'm not going to stop helping the patients, but the nurse is a different story.

Also that is one of the bigger pet peaves I have noticed amongst experienced RN's on the floor and new grads, is when the new grad thinks they are top gun because they just graduated from (insert semi-private school here). And the experienced RN's will be reluctant to help you out. However if you show them respect they will make sure you don't fail.

Thanks for this post and the replies. :redbeathe

I agree I just got in but I'm reading all of it!

[annmariern]

In a cardiac arrest, best advice I ever got when I was about to freak out: "their already dead; anything we do now is a bonus". Stopped me dead in my tracks and kept me calm and efficient. Can't remember the outcome of that code, never forgot that reality check.