6 Tips for Success for New Nurse Graduates

dareese, MSN, RN

First of all, I want to congratulate all of the new nurse graduates. Choosing nursing as a career is the best decision that you could have made. You will always have a job.

I just wanted to offer you a few tips as you begin your exciting journey as a nurse.

Remember, you will always have loads of options in nursing.

If you are not satisfied with your job, there is a banquet of other opportunities out there for you outside of hospital nursing. There is no need to be unhappy in a position as a nurse. Set up a profile on LinkedIn, and you will be amazed at what offers come your way.

Nurses tend to "eat their young.”

Don't be too surprised about it or take it seriously. Even as a seasoned nurse in a new job, I was subject to the same problem. Find your own colleague friends and ignore those who take pleasure in being nasty. That is their problem. You will rise to the top despite staff who are less than friendly.

Remember to incorporate EMPATHY into every contact that you have with a patient or their family.

Try to place yourself in their shoes and feel how they feel.

A few examples of empathetic contact with patients are:

Always look your patient in the eye and greet them by name with a smile. Introduce yourself and that you are an RN, etc. You worked hard to become a nurse, so tell them so!
Always ask your patient something personal or, if they are not the type for this kind of conversation, remark about the weather, etc. Just TALK with them!
Always ask them how they are doing and feeling.
Never leave the room without asking them if there is anything else that they need.
Before finishing up each encounter, explain when you will be back and outline the schedule of tests, doctor rounds, changing of shifts, etc.

These tips seem so simple, but I can tell you as a nurse and patient, empathetic communication is all but forgotten many times in healthcare. So it bears repeating, especially at this critical juncture in your life.

Try not to complain.

Nobody likes a complainer. In nursing, I have to tell you there are many reasons to want to complain. But co-workers do not like to hear others griping all of the time. Try to stay positive and keep a light spirit. Keep your grievances to yourself unless they are harmful to the patient or environment. On the flip side, you will need to vent, but save that for those at home or your friends. I had a friend that no matter how hard our nursing job was, I never heard her complain. Her upbeat, enthusiastic personality made her a favorite among the staff and patients.

If you do need to take a problem to your supervisor, think it through prior to your meeting.

I had an administrator who taught me a fundamental lesson regarding problem-solving. She told me to come to her with all angles of the problem well thought out and with some ideas for solutions. From that day forward, I typed out an outline and came to every meeting well prepared. I am happy to pass that insight on to all of you.

Don't be afraid to ask for help.

You will avoid much frustration and possibly negative repercussion for yourself or patient if you just ask for help when needed. I remember silently sweating out many situations where I was afraid to ask for help as a new grad nurse. As an experienced nurse, I appreciated the young nurses coming to me with questions instead of just forging ahead, often incorrectly, and not knowing what they are doing. Questions are expected and not frowned upon, so ask away and help yourself by doing so.

I remember the excitement of starting out as a new nurse. Wishing you all the best. Now go get 'em new grads!