Tips for nurses in their first year of nursing

Liddle Noodnik · Jul 10, 2005

Two words: Be tough! also, be a sponge and soak up all the knowledge you can.

Soak up the knowledge, but none of the chit!

amberc · Jul 11, 2005

Thanks what a great posting, thanks for great advice!!! :)

Ever have an "I wish I was told this" moment? Well, we all do as nurses regarding school. Here are some things I wish they told me nursing school (and some I wish they had emphasized more)----and what I told another new BSN nurse in a different thread (and it would be the same advice I would give any new nurse/grad):
You have achieved a great thing, graduating and earning your degree (BSN, ADN , LPN or Diploma). Now, the REAL learning begins......

Don't ever pretend to know what you don't. Be a sponge---watch and listen to what is going on around you. Take mental notes. Find mentors and emulate their good habits. Take note of the bad habits and avoid those.

Listen to your patients; they know their bodies better than you do.

Have integrity----be honest with yourself and others.

Stay out of the gossip game/circle. It goes nowhere and brings down morale, including your own.

Be on time! EVERYtime. When you are late, so am I. And I don't like to be late!

Stay organized as possible. Keep up on your charting and tasks as they come up. Dont' save it all for "later"---there may not be time, "later".

Do it right the first time, even if there IS "no time". Believe me, there is no time to "Do it over", either.

Plan for the worst; hope for the best.

Be someone they can rely on---and rely on yourself!

Take good care of yourself; eat well, exercise. It's the only body you got and you are gonna need it. Nurture the self. Nurses have a tendency to martyr themselves and neglect their own needs. Don't be one of them; it's a fast superhighway to burn-out.

Nourish the mind. Plan on spending a LOT of time investing in your continuing education as a nurse. The world of nursing/medicine is changing faster everyday. You are going to have to make a conscious and concerted effort to "stay abreast". It's more work than you imagine right now.....plan on it.

Learn assertiveness if you have not already. Lots of good books and conferences/seminars exist. Learn early-on you no are NO ONE's doormat. Also, know there is a difference between "assertion" and "aggression".

Work hard, yes, but don't forget to PLAY hard too! Have hobbies you enjoy. Your life is NOT your work, and while being a nurse is part of who you are, it need not *define* you.

Believe in your self and good instincts. Sometimes, "instinct" is what lets us know something is amiss or wrong with our patients. Never ignore that gut instinct. It's very often right! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!!!

After 8 years in nursing, these things are things I have learned the "hard way"; hopefully you don't have to.

Warm, hearty congratulations to you and all new grads here. I wish you all good things in your new careers.

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2005

thanks for allll the advice ,it's well needed

yes very much so! i'm so nervous...

tracey1963 · Jul 13, 2005

hi

I'm am just about to start three year training course in england, aand have read these disscussions with intrest. I must admit that the only thing taht is stressing me out is the maths.. the rest I know I will be taught. are there any tips out there please? pleaaseee!!!!!

francine79 · Jul 15, 2005

hi
I'm am just about to start three year training course in england, aand have read these disscussions with intrest. I must admit that the only thing taht is stressing me out is the maths.. the rest I know I will be taught. are there any tips out there please? pleaaseee!!!!![/quote
So far I haven't had much math to do, our pharmacy is really great about doing all math calculations for us (Even mcg/kg/min rates). The only math I have had to do is for any type of IV push med, although it says on our MAR how many ml's we need to administer. However, I would suggest keeping a notebook of tips to help you, and keep all the formula's you may need for reference in it. A lot of nurses aren't that great with math. When it doubt always check your calculation with another nurse if you can.

Ry bear · Jul 21, 2005

I am A new LPN, very nervous.These things will help me I hope. this is great

Forme · Jul 21, 2005

hello, iam in my last year in the nursing program for LPN I am really scared because there is a strict rule on our test that if we fail more than two we are bumped out of the program. I want this really bad and I really need a tutor or mentor that can help me focus on the main points that are on my test. We are soon to have a test on drug names and references, and on Healthcare delivery system and arenas of care. Everyone that I have tried to get to help me is realy prone to keeping their information to themselves. I study alot but most of what I study is not on our test. Please Help Somebody.

Ry bear · Jul 22, 2005

I am a brand new nurse don't know if I can help you but i will try. Pharm is hard memorization is the key. I found that trying to find something that relates to the drug and name .for example ace inhibitors are antihypertensives and most ace inh. end with pril like Lisinopril ect. My instructor wanted pretty much us to know a side effect that was significant. the generic and trade name and how it works in the body and what for. if I can help I will let me know. Ry bear

hello, iam in my last year in the nursing program for LPN I am really scared because there is a strict rule on our test that if we fail more than two we are bumped out of the program. I want this really bad and I really need a tutor or mentor that can help me focus on the main points that are on my test. We are soon to have a test on drug names and references, and on Healthcare delivery system and arenas of care. Everyone that I have tried to get to help me is realy prone to keeping their information to themselves. I study alot but most of what I study is not on our test. Please Help Somebody. Email if you can ***********

Forme · Jul 22, 2005

I am a brand new nurse don't know if I can help you but i will try. Pharm is hard memorization is the key. I found that trying to find something that relates to the drug and name .for example ace inhibitors are antihypertensives and most ace inh. end with pril like Lisinopril ect. My instructor wanted pretty much us to know a side effect that was significant. the generic and trade name and how it works in the body and what for. if I can help I will let me know. Ry bear

Thankyou for your help rybear. It did help me to know that ace inh ends in pril. i am very knew at all this and am probably the only one in my class that does not have any previous healthcare experience at all and then I look at all the things that are needed to learn and I know it is going to be hard to conquer it all. Thanks for your help, I hope you are available for future reference.

MedSurgeMess · Jul 23, 2005

I am a brand new nurse don't know if I can help you but i will try. Pharm is hard memorization is the key. I found that trying to find something that relates to the drug and name .for example ace inhibitors are antihypertensives and most ace inh. end with pril like Lisinopril ect. My instructor wanted pretty much us to know a side effect that was significant. the generic and trade name and how it works in the body and what for. if I can help I will let me know. Ry bear

and generic names for beta blockers end in -olol

hope that one helps you study a little better. pharm was not my best subject, but I made it my #1 priority and now do pretty good at it!

bemory · Jul 23, 2005

1. use the bathroom! dont hold it in

2. take good care of yourself- your feet especially

3. get some sleep

4. take a minute to take a breath

5. never leave a room saying you will be back in a minute...because that minute may never come

6. you are not going to be an expert at putting in an IV- I have seen some of the easiest veins under the toughest skin, and no veins that I have gotten in. IF they are on prednisone- watch out

7. look up the drugs that you are giving to see what the action is. Check the blood pressure before giving ace inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitropaste etc. check urine output before giving potassium

8. never never underestimate the power of golightly or lasix on an elderly patient. if they have to go, they mean it

9. rememeber that a conversation is better then medicine

10. remember that it doesn't matter if you are new or have 30 years of experience there is no reason for someone to make you feel incompetent. You graduated didn't you?

11. when someone codes and you feel paralyzed to help- remember Some- shock, oxygen, monitor, epi....

12 you are allowed to be human and cry, sometimes it will just get to you

13. remember when you are on the phone with MD's especially at night... get to the point...and most of the time these Md's dont know these patients so briefly tell them... ms. jones, chf, on tele, no pacemaker, just bradied down to 27. Usually runs in 50s asymptomatic.

14. the biggest lesson I learned was that nursing is always going to be a challenge because you are dealing with a dynamic field that is constantly evolving. Be scared. Be afraid but always look back and see what all you accomplished and its amazing. :)

Mister Chris, MSN, NP · Jul 26, 2005

1. use the bathroom! dont hold it in
2. take good care of yourself- your feet especially
3. get some sleep
4. take a minute to take a breath
5. never leave a room saying you will be back in a minute...because that minute may never come
6. you are not going to be an expert at putting in an IV- I have seen some of the easiest veins under the toughest skin, and no veins that I have gotten in. IF they are on prednisone- watch out
7. look up the drugs that you are giving to see what the action is. Check the blood pressure before giving ace inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitropaste etc. check urine output before giving potassium
8. never never underestimate the power of golightly or lasix on an elderly patient. if they have to go, they mean it
9. rememeber that a conversation is better then medicine
10. remember that it doesn't matter if you are new or have 30 years of experience there is no reason for someone to make you feel incompetent. You graduated didn't you?
11. when someone codes and you feel paralyzed to help- remember Some- shock, oxygen, monitor, epi....
12 you are allowed to be human and cry, sometimes it will just get to you Even for male nurses!
13. remember when you are on the phone with MD's especially at night... get to the point...and most of the time these Md's dont know these patients so briefly tell them... ms. jones, chf, on tele, no pacemaker, just bradied down to 27. Usually runs in 50s asymptomatic.
14. the biggest lesson I learned was that nursing is always going to be a challenge because you are dealing with a dynamic field that is constantly evolving. Be scared. Be afraid but always look back and see what all you accomplished and its amazing. :)

Love this list as well as the preceeding ones. Fantastic solid advice I wish had been around when I started out in nursing (back in the sixties!).

Yes - never forget yourself when out there battling for others, you are the most important person you will come to meet. You must be well to help other be well, or get well.

Lastly I will say be yourself, you are unique and special. Thank you for coming into what I call the most rewarding and testing profession in the world - caring for people.

Love you all,

Mister Chris :specs: