*how to survive as a nurse?*

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Hello to all the great nurses out there.

After working as a LVN for 2.75 years, I have finally made it into LVN-RN Bridge Program which will start in 2 weeks. I have posted my first job experience where I was handling 120:1 patient ratio in dementia setting and I was always hiding in the restroom crying after my 12-14 hours shift. Through my first experience I have learned a lot and taught me a lot of good and bad things for me to look out through my nursing career.

I wanted to ask to great nurses out there. What would you teach yourself if you can go back to years ago when you first started as a new nurse? I want to learn and get an advice from amazing nurses out there to learn "Things I Need To Remember" to be a great nurse.

I would highly appreciate your time.

Thank you and hope you have a great day! : )

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120:1?!? O.O

I would have told myself to triple check everything every time before I did it.

I would tell myself to make sure and research companies before accepting employment.

I would tell myself to be leery of a job that's too good to be true - especially one offering a huge sign on bonus.

I would have told myself to not wait over a decade to get back into school.

And, I would've told myself to take it easy, give myself some slack, and take some much needed "me" time consistently.

Good luck!!

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Don't bypass safety measures, no matter how behind you are or how sure you are about whet you're doing.

Don't feel intimidated "bothering" patients with their treatments and medications. Just let them know what to expect ahead of time.

Look for potential problems before they happen and prevent them ...or at least be prepared when they occur.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

If you are just now entering your bridge to RN program, your user name should not reflect an RN designation.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Find the bar that opens at 7am if you are going to be working nights. Some of the best team building and morale boosting happened after getting our teeth kicked in for the night at the bar following the shift.

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Sorry. I forgot to mention I have BSN in Philippines.

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Specializes in acutecarefloatpool. BSN/RN/CMSRN. i dabble in pedi.

- Keep work at work.

- Put just as much effort in leisure time as you do at work.

- Make your own health a priority. Eat whole foods, drink plenty of fluids, sleep well, and

keep moving!

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
Sorry. I forgot to mention I have BSN in Philippines.

BSN is a degree, not licensure.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Sorry. I forgot to mention I have BSN in Philippines.

A BSN does not make you an RN unless you've actually passed the licensing exam.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

Smile and say hello to everyone at work. Stop and chat for a moment. The few minutes it takes adds immeasurably to workplace relationships and teamwork.

The first pulse to take in a code is your own -- Samuel Shem in "House of God".

If you wear brand new shoes to work, you WILL get poop (or blood) on them.

If you've given your patient Mag Citrate, lactulose AND a glycerine suppository, do NOT put them into a chair and go to lunch. If someone does that and asks you to cover, they're not your friend.

Doctors are just people, too.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I don't believe there was ever a 120:1 ratio. That is absurd.

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