Tips for a new grad

I'm a SICU nurse- but I think my advice is applicable to any specialty. Find a nurse willing to teach and learn as much as you can from them! Hopefully you have excellent teamwork in your unit - it makes a huge difference! Admit when you don't know something and be willing to learn. Seek out difficult patients and learn as much as you can from them (whether you're their nurse or not). If you're not busy, go help someone who is and use the time to ask questions about their patient. Do you have a resource book? I like Fast Facts for Critical Care (by Kathy White). I keep it with me and use it to look up something I don't know - or just read it if I'm not busy. There are lots of good resources out there though - you're bound to find one that works for you! Basically- take every opportunity to keep learning and practicing!

Thank you for the advice. I actually have looked at the book you mentioned several times! Guess it's time to get it off my wishlist and put it into my hands!!

The book isn't cheap...but I've felt it's worth it! I wasn't a new grad when I went into critical care- but I still felt super overwhelmed and felt as if I was! It's worth it though! I love my job SO much now!! Good luck!!