Tips on how to be a great newly employed RN? Characteristics? Thanks

allnurses Guide · Mar 6, 2011

Show up on time, neat, clean and ready to work.

Say thanks to aides and secretaries alot.

Don't act like a know-it-all, ask how things are done here.

Answer call bells, your room or not.

Answer the phone, especially when the secretary is busy.

Check your orders often, keep up to date.

Don't chew gum.

Listen to your patients! Make eye contact and let them know how important they are in that moment.

Try to keep up with your charting, not an easy skill to learn with a large pt. load.

Welcome to the ranks!!

clarkonair · Mar 6, 2011

Expect the unexpected. Nursing is a tough job. What area of nursing you applied for? Make sure that the hospital has a preceptorship program that will be offered to new nurses. Preceptors can assist you in becoming a competent clinical nurse. Preceptors are expert in a certain nursing area. They can be intimidating but always put it in mind that they are trying their best to help you out with everything. I have been a preceptor myself and it is not easy. Its hard to teach someone who does not want to be taught. If you are not comfortable with your preceptor, ask for a replacement.

JBUDD provided you with good suggestions. As you go along, you will acquire other characteristics of a good nurse. Another important things is DO NOT STOP LEARNING...

Keep this in mind: Nurses learn from their mistakes, but it is always important to prevent having mistakes. It will keep you away from trouble.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 6, 2011

Show up, on time, with whatever you are supposed to have.

Do your job.

Keep your private life, personal opinions/beliefs to yourself.

Smile, maintain a positive attitude.

Keep learning.

That's it. Good luck.

tokmom, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2011

Don't pull out your cell phone unless on break. If your preceptor can't stop for lunch don't whine about not getting yours. Take any constructive criticism with grace and learn from it. She isn't trying to belittle you, she is attempting to help you learn and do your job to the best of your ability. She knows what it takes to survive. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Good luck and congrats!

Rathyen · Mar 6, 2011

Preceptors are expert in a certain nursing area.

Or they just need to preceptor someone for their clinical ladder. I have had 6 preceptors in my new job and only one of them had more than 2 years experience. Most of them graduated the year before I did.

As someone that just got off of orientation, let me tell you what I think.

1. No matter what you learned in nursing school, it is wrong. Evidence based or not. No one is going to change the way they do things based on a new grads information, whether it is right or wrong.

2. No experience you have in the medical field, such as EMS, CNA, Tech etc matters to your preceptor, you know nothing about anything.

3. Keep a smile on your face at all times, around patients, co-workers, managers etc.

4. Do not say anything negative ever, about the facility, the day, the weather, your sore feet etc.

5. Do show up on time, even if the rest of the staff does not.

6. Do thank your aides, secretaries, pharmacy, housekeepers, dietary etc. anyone that give you assistance. It takes more than just a nurse to care for a patient. The one scrubbing the toilet is part of patient care too.

7. Nurses DO eat their young.

8. Don't add anyone you work with to Facebook, MySpace etc.

9. Bullying exists, even in the professional world. Report it.

That's about it...Good luck in your new job and stick it out, the thanks you get from your patients makes it all worth it in the end. You're not there to please your co-workers, you're there to give the best patient care you can.

Oh, and remember that your patients are people, not a room number, not a disease process. I know your day is busy, but it's worth it to take the time to talk to them, and not just about the meds you're about to give them. My manager is amazed at the number of positive kudos they've received with my name on them already from patients and the only thing I do different is talk to them and listen.

willowRN · Mar 7, 2011

thank you so much for the advice, you guys are such great help.

carrotstix · Mar 7, 2011

Enthusiasm, willingness to learn...

Katie5 · Mar 7, 2011

Oh, and remember that your patients are people, not a room number, not a disease process. I know your day is busy, but it's worth it to take the time to talk to them, and not just about the meds you're about to give them. My manager is amazed at the number of positive kudos they've received with my name on them already from patients and the only thing I do different is talk to them and listen.

To you it may be the "only thing", but to them(patients), it means the world. People love to be heard. It never ceases to amaze me, how person opens up/ blossoms, right before my very eyes when you just take time to talk with them and listen.

Kudos to you. Your patients love you for it:)

mama_d, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

Know the protocols and policies for common situations on your floor.

Never roll your eyes or talk down to the experienced staff.

Just like in clinicals, try to avoid looking like you're clueless, even if you are. There's a world of difference in how you're perceived based on how you present yourself. That doesn't mean you shouldn't ask questions, of course...just be aware of the way you phrase it. If you come up to me and say "I don't know how to do XYZ" and just stand there, it tends to leave a poor impression. If you say "I'm not sure how to do XYZ, but this is what my best guess is..." or "I checked our P&P and it says this..." it shows that you are attempting to critically think and take initiative. It's the subtle difference between being someone who needs their hands held at every unfamiliar circumstance and someone who needs guidance but is trying to be independent.

Get involved in unit politics (in a good way). Be as active as time allows in unit council, various committees, etc. You don't have to open your mouth until you are comfortable doing so, but management loves it and it gives you an opportunity to create connections with your coworkers away from the hustle and bustle of the floor.

Take the time to learn the names of the ancillary staff that you see regularly. Be courteous to them as much as possible. We're all there for the patients.

Don't engage in shift wars or class wars. If there are issues along these lines that need to be resolved, be professional and polite, never accusatory or belittling.

Find out who the best of the best are and cultivate a relationship with them, so they're there to fall back on when needed. Don't alienate them.

Keep an open mind when receiving criticism or correction. We have several newbies on our floor now and those that don't let their attitude get in the way are floundering a whole lot less than those who do. The learning curve is steep, and the ability to learn from mistakes or near misses is essential. Do not attack those who bring them to your attention. I'm a bit of a stickler when it comes to making sure that my patients get good care, and there are those who hate it b/c they feel like I'm picking on them when I point out issues and those who appreciate it and learn from it. On our floor we'd rather handle situations nurse to nurse and not get management involved, but once you've established the pattern of behavior that you attack and discount correction, it becomes more likely that we'll move up the chain.

Organization skills at work are a must! My husband would be amazed if he could see me at work, since I'm completely disorganized at home.

Learn how to give a good report. What constitutes a good report varies from place to place, so I can't give any really specific advice.

When you make your first rounds, make sure that the rooms are as set up for the shift as is possible. Fresh ice water, butt cream available, note when you'll need a new bag of fluids, check IV for patency, etc.

Team up with your tech as much as possible by going in rooms together. Less interruptions for the patient, two sets of hands, and you're right there if anything funky is going on.

Sorry, that was way longer than I intended! Hope it helps some.