Tips for nurses in their first year of nursing

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Please share any tips you might have for our new nurses. Hopefully, this will become a great resource of nursing tips from all of our experienced nurses from around the globe.

Thank you so much. You have no idea how timely and helpful this all is.

I am at the end of my orientation at a busy LTAC and there is so much to learn - not only basic nursing skills but the whole social aspect of nursing communication with doctors, families, and patients. I have found that learning to say "no" with finesse can be a skill in itself. And why, oh why, does everything seem to fall apart toward the end of the shift when I'm trying to finish my charting? Patient's remote needs new batteries, pt wants to be unhooked from IV to smoke, pt's family wants to know why their Dad is getting candy from other pts!!!

Short rant but thanks again!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Love this!

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Make friends with your CNAs! Respect their knowledge and rapport with patients. And help them if/when you can. Help a patient get off a bedpan, chart a set of vitals, etc. CNAs can be a new nurse's best friend. :) And they can also make your life more difficult if they feel you are condescending to them.

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Specializes in Cardiac, ICU, ER.

"Don't beat yourself up. You are going to make mistakes, you're new at this and nursing school only gives you a small perspective on what to expect. I can't tell you how many times I went home crying because I felt like a failure. You will feel this way too, prepare yourself. And if there ever comes a time when you feel like you know everything...stay away from me and my family. No one knows everything and it's scary if you think you do."

This one just "spoke" to me, everyday is a challenge and I feel like I fail everyday. Hopefully this will get better . . . because It's making me feel like I made the wrong career choice.

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Specializes in ER, SANE, Home Health, Forensic.

well said KIMICURN

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Hi there. I have read many of your posts and they are wonderful. I just got my first job. And am nervous. I am willing to learn and NEVER afraid to ask. My Nurse manger seems so nice and says its a great floor to work and learn on. I am a person who likes things perfect, which I know is Not POSSIBLE and have dealt with this. I jsut want some comfort and advice. I dont wnt to make mistakes or I heard some stories of people getting fired. Than k you for your time to listen and hopefully to respond. I have always wnted to be a nurse and have gotten through nursing school and the NCLEX. I just want to do well at this and dont wnt people thinking I am slow just bc I am still learning and getting my nursing legs.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Perinatal, Endoscopy, IVF Lab.

I am only six months into Nursing but so far, my best advice given to me is:

1. Always remember: oxygen goes in and out, blood goes around and around, any deviation is a problem.

2. Remember teamwork: If you help out when your not busy, other nurses will be more willing to help you out and answer all of your questions.

3. Patient comes first: Remember why we are there; for the patient! Be caring, patient, and a good advocate.

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what do you all do about lateral violence? some nurses are not very nice to us new nurses and I feel abused at times. I am doing my best, but I am not perfect and I have a lot to learn. Why do some people feel the need to bring you down, when they should really be supportive and encouraging? I cant see myself EVER treating anyone the way I've been treated on my first job. These nurses feel the need to "tattle" on me instead of helping me. Its discouraging and I wonder if I didnt choose the wrong place to work. I know the first year is tough, I was prepared for that, but its a wonder anyone makes it through.

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I need it so badly. Just graduated this month.

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Awsome advice, this is such a good thread. I thought I was alone in feeling like a failure at times in my nursing career. These tips are very helpful for us new grads. thanks:D

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hi all,

I am 4 months into my grad year and have found these points helpfull (please forgive me if they are repeated elsewhere)!

No one expects you to know everything. The basics, yes. Everything, NO. So don't be so hard on yourself!

It is okay to say No. Sometimes hard to do, but remember to look after yourself (and your license first).

Do not hand over your clinical judgment to anyone else. If you think something is not right/doesn't make sense ask. And ask, and ask again until it is explained to your satisfaction. I had to ask 4 different people about a high dose of medication, the first 2 said yes order is correct, third said check with registrar. Registrar changed dose.

Do not gossip. Just don't. Nursing was a career change for me, and I'd worked in hospitality and finance. I was shocked by the amount of backstabbing and general nasty attitudes of some nurses. I have noticed the busier it is on the ward, the worse the backstabbing/gossiping is. No-one deserves to be treated like s***

If you are not getting the support you need, tell the NUM, Grad co-ordinator or DON. If you are struggling, let someone know sooner rather than later!

Remember, people want you to succeed! And if you find it's all getting to be too much, ask for some time off or go part time (if you can).

Everyday you learn something new. Keep at it :)

The above (and other comments on this site and others like it) is what got me through the first 3 months. I almost didn't make it. I was made to feel like an idiot, set up to fail by a particular nurse and generally felt unsupported. My confidence was at an all time low. I hadn't worked with my preceptor ONCE in that time. I went home crying almost every night. I finally spoke to the grad year co-ordinator and NUM. And the support I have had since then has been stellar. It is like a totally different workplace.

It does get better, hang in there!

:redbeathe

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Specializes in Pediatric Hem/Onc.

This entire thread is full of win :redbeathe

I'm thankful my preceptor welcomes all my questions and keeps everything positive. I'm never made to feel dumb by anyone other than myself! I'll be so glad when I get some confidence. She says I'm doing well but I can think of 1000 things I feel like I should know.

This site is full of win, too :) It helps me so much, whether I'm having a great day or just want to crawl under a rock. Thank you, guys. Seriously.

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