5 things you wish you knew as a new nurse

Nurses New Nurse

Published

I am about to graduate with my RN. I feel that I have a good knowledge base and that I am prepared for the job as a nurse. However, I often wonder what things I am going to learn the hard way. So for those of you who have been working for a while, what 5 things do you wish you knew as a new nurse?

Your new and your never going to know everything.. Changes are frequent in the medical field whether its a new type of procedure or treatment, or a small dosage change in a medication. Never be afraid to ask for help- even the senior nurses at my facility do.Stay out of drama, it's hard but definitely make your shift about your residents! Communication between shifts is so important- it really sucks to find something that the shift before should have told you in report.Be there for all coworkers- cnas, administration, housekeeping, activities, social services.. We all work together for the patient!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That you are going to feel dumb in the beginning few years. Doctors are going to talk to you and you will not always have the answer. You will go home and go through the day or night, making sure that you did everything correctly and charted everything correctly. You will have to stay late charting because you will be so overwhelmed with everything. There will be some days in which all you will like all you did is give out meds and nothing else. The number one rule is to always smile, even if you feel like you don't know what you are doing. (this does not apply if you are going to do something that may put a patient at risk) But if you are going to start your first IV, go in with a big smile and this will put the patient at ease. If you go in the room with a nervous look on your face, the patient will start to be nervous. A big smile has gotten me through many unsettling times. One last thing is to always ask for help, and never be afraid to ask questions. It is better ask two questions in order to do something right, than have to explain yourself when you did something wrong. Hope this helps any new nurses, and the biggest thing is to just smile!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

If you work nights turn off your phone, black out your room, disable your doorbell, and buy a box fan for white noise.

Some skills will come naturally to you. Others will not. Practice the ones you're not good at until you're good at them.

Protect yourself. Wear whatever PPE you think you need to do whatever it is you're doing.

Oil of wintergreen is the best damn thing in the world when gangrene is lurking about.

If you are sick, CALL OUT. Coming to work sick sucks, and while your coworkers probably like you, it's likely they don't want your germs. If you work in a place that encourages you to work sick, look for another job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you have a feeling your patient is going bad, ask another nurses opinion, never be afraid to call rapid response.

Drug seekers suck. Suck the life out of you.

Teamwork is essential, always be willing to help.

Be kind to your teammates, we are nurses, our jobs are hard enough without drama.

I had a nursing instructor tell us one time, the easiest way to avoid being sued is to be kind to your patients, if they like you, there is less chance you will get sued. The jury is still out on that one!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg.

I agree with everyone else.

1) You are not expected to know everything. If someone tries to make you feel otherwise, they are forgetting where they came from. Ask for help. Learn how to delegate. Ask questions. Use your resources. Own mistakes and learn from them.

2) DO NOT be afraid of doctors. I don't care how big of an a$$hole some of them can be. Stand up for yourself and advocate for your patient. Most of the time, your gut feeling is right. However, DO be prepared for conversations with the doc. Know your patient, have a recent set of vitals, know their meds, etc. Also, be prepared to deal with your opinion being taken under consideration and not having the power to change anything, because that will happen as well.

3) If you begin to feel that you are "burned out," look at other options. This may not mean you need to change jobs, it may only mean that you need to challenge yourself to new roles within your current job. (charge nurse? cross training? performance improvement team? further education?) But sometimes it means that you need to change jobs. Be flexible. Treat this as a career, and not as a job. Where do you really want to be? This is not alwys easy to decide, especially in something with as many diverse options as nursing.

4) Don't be defensive. Older nurses have been around for a lot longer than you have, and some of those who seem like they are "eating their young" at first will turn out to be your greatest allies and really good friends. They don't act like that because they are trying to put you down , they act like that because a lot of times nursing is a life or death situation and this is reality and you will not be coddled. Once you prove your ability to listen and learn however, they may learn something from you as well.

5) Don't whine. Don't talk behind the backs of other nurses. This is epidemic where I work. So annoying, doesn't help anyone. You have bad days, too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgical / Palliative/ Hospice.

1. It is about the patient, not you, your life, your schedule, your stress level. While you are at work, you are there to care for the patient, no matter who they are, what they did, or why they are there. Everyone gets a clean slate at the beginning of your shift, no matter what you were told in report.

2. You WILL make mistakes. You are a human in a high stress career. That's how you learn. Don't let it break you. Anyone who says they have never made a mistake is lying.

3. Be nice to CNA's, Unit Secretaries, and any other non-RN individuals who are part of the team. You are not above them, and you will learn a tremendous amount from them.

4. Always remain professional. You never know, that "lost visitor" might be the CEO of your facility. On that note, never assume the relationship between a patient and a visitor. That nice elderly lady may look like your patient's grandmother, but she could very well be his wife.

5. Terrible things will happen during your shift, but you have to let it go when you walk out the door.

What a great thread!! :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgical / Palliative/ Hospice.
When others are running around busting their butts, and you are sitting on yours, there is something wrong.

No one sits 'til everyone sits!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

That I would learn more the first year as a nurse than I did the whole time in school.

That the only "stupid" question is the one not asked.

To just keep my mouth shut at times - the drama can be too much at times if u let it.

Anne, RNC

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Dont judge others for the way they do their job. I get this all the time from new nurses, well if you did it this way itd be better attitude is not one to have. Remember everyone has their own style, and you will develop your own. Qnd always remember you are an important assest. You have a frsh new perspective that snaps some of us older nurses back into the feeling you have as a "newbie"!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

1. Buy three or four sets of your uniform scrubs, minimum. If you are anything like me, you don't feel like doing laundry on your day off.

2. Invest in GOOD shoes that work for your feet. Don't scrimp. Your feet, legs and back will thank you.

3. Get a routine down for when you come home and stick to it as much as you can. Unwinding from a good shift isn't a problem, but having a routine after a horrible shift (and there will be horrible shifts) helps the mind and body let it go.

4. Network with other nurses. This can be a heartbreaking, frustrating job and family members not in the medical field don't find the same things funny and don't enjoy talking about some of the gross things we have become immune to. They also don't understand the gut-wrenching ethical dilemmas we sometimes face. Debriefing and unwinding with other nurses has been some of the most meaningful, hilarious, wonderful times I have ever had and do a lot both for my self esteem and for my sanity.

5. Don't take it personal. If the little old lady you were so nice to calls you a name. If the doctor is brusque. If the co-worker isn't smiling at you today. If the PCT/CNA is surly. 99% of the time it isn't really about you.

6. Keep gum and/or breath mints in your locker or supply kit at all times.

7. Watch your weight. Seriously. Trucking up and down the halls with an extra 15+ lbs due to all the eating that happens at work? Contributes to exhaustion, body aches and your sense of being able to handle the job. Take care of yourself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you to everyone who has posted all of this insight! I'm going to keep all of this in mind when I start working as a new grad this winter. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As a nurse who frequently orients the newbies- these are my 2 biggest pieces of advice... 1- BE CONFIDENT!!!! You may have only done something once before, or never at all, but read the policy/procedure and talk with your preceptor before you start... But when you are in front of the patient - act like you have done it a million times! It helps the patient with anxiety levels and helps them trust you the most! 2- time management is what will make you or break you. Come up with a strategy that works for you. Spending an extra minute to organize yourself before going into a pt room can make a huge difference. Do as many tasks/assessments/meds as you can in 1 trip into the room. Good luck! I hope you love your job as an RN as much as I do!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment