What are the huge "DO NOT EVER DO" things that new nurses need to know about? calling

Nurses General Nursing

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I am graduating in a few days, and off to be a new registered nurse. I would love to hear from experienced nurses about the "BIG" things that they need to remember or the things they try to avoid. Medication tips, or how to deal with patients...anything would be helpful, and thank you !!

Specializes in Diabetes ED, (CDE), CCU, Pulmonary/HIV.

The previous posts seem to have just about everything covered. The only thing I can add is don't say "OOPS!" in front of the patient.

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The previous posts seem to have just about everything covered. The only thing I can add is don't say "OOPS!" in front of the patient.

:lol2: Equally important is keeping the "OOPS!" look off your face!

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Follow the 5 rights of drug administration at all times. Check, recheck. Don't know how many recent news articles there have been, and how many screw ups I've heard about. This year and 10 years from now these rights should not be overlooked.

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Specializes in Hospice.

All of the above, plus ... NEVER accept responsibility for a procedure, piece of equipment or assignment of which you are unsure. I have had the experience of being expected to run a machine I've never seen before or floated to a specialty area in which I have NO training (ICU, yet!) ... supervisor became quite intimidating when I refused ... stand by your guns and never let them see you sweat ... just say no if you are untrained thus unsafe in a particular situation. You are responsible for refusing an unsafe assignment ... it's your license on the line and your patients that'll get hurt.

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1) use your resources; call pharmacy, lab, blood bank, central supply, to answer questions relavant to those departments.

2) Never assume anything.

3)CYA, document document, and document. When you write nurses notes, imagine that you are writing to the patient's lawyer.

4) Address real patient concerns ASAP. especially 'I just don't feel right' (complete set of vitals, assesment, pulse ox) and then refer to #3

If they think there sugar is low.. check it.

If they think there bp is high...check it.

If they think something is leaking...look

Etc.

5)Before calling the doc at all hours, read the progress notes; he or she may be already aware....

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Specializes in Critical Care,Recovery, ED.

The only really stupid question is the one you don't ask. Don't be afraid to ask about anything you are unsure of.

Remember well your feelings as a new RN so that when you mentor some one later in your career you will remember how it felt.

Be confident but also be aware of your limitation(s) and tell them to your preceptor. Telling someone that I have never done that is the correct action.

Also ditto to all the above posters.

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As a new grad...

Do not let anyone pressure you into doing something you know is wrong.

Do not accept an inappropriate assignment for your skill level.

Do not automatically trust the first person who is friendly to you on the unit. Wait to observe the unit dynamics.

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Always follow your gut. If it tells you that there's something wrong with what you're about to do, listen to your gut and stop. Better to be a few minutes late with something than to do something anyway and find out later you screwed up.

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Specializes in neuro, trauma, med-surg.

know your policies and procedures, such as when you are giving an IV drug for any blood pressure or cardiac issue, especially if you are on a med-surg unit. do not let the doctor try and slip something by you. Also, the first thing you do when you start work is check on your patients. Not sit down and organize your day, etc. When a new post op comes to the floor, go and see them immediately....introduce yourself to the patients and their families with a smile, your first and last name, who you are. Ask them if everything is okay, give firm hand shakes, this will instill their confidence in you!!!! If you don't know something, go and ask, as embarrassing as it may be!!!! Good luck!

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.
the previous posts seem to have just about everything covered. the only thing i can add is don't say "oops!" in front of the patient.

"oh, he!!" is another one to keep to yourself! :)

along the lines of the blank consents.....please, do not go back an "fill in" the blank spaces on a consent once it has been signed.....it is a legal document, and cannot be altered once signed.

and more about consents: please do not "bully" a patient into signing a consent. it doesn't matter if the order states "have patient sign consent for egd." if the patient doesn't want to sign, they don't want to give consent. this is an issue for the doctor and the patient. your responsibility for wittnesing a consent comes down to wittnesing the signature. it is the physician's responsibility to give the education and risks/benefits counseling. and if they have to talk to the patient more to answer questions, so be it. that's their job.

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Be nice to the housekeeping staff in the hospital.........and they know EVERYTHING that goes on with the patients & what goes on period......I didn't even think of this until a nurse friend of mine with a gazillion years experience said this to me while I was still in nursing school...so being the "smarty pants" I thought I was being , I actually asked one of the housekeeper ladies one day while she was mopping the floor....and lo and behold..she laughed and shook her head yes in agreement........

Also NEVER assume because a patient can't communicate that "they don't even know they're alive"..I can't tell you how many times I have personally heard this come out of people's mouths, and also from personal experience with my own child....... people can be extremely educated, but lack intelligence so to speak...it's very sad. And lastly, never forget where you came from...never look down upon people that have jobs at lower levels than you...such as the above....the housekeepers. They work their behinds off believe me...and so do the CNA's. Yes there are lazy people in every job that shouldn't be there but for the most part most people are hard workers.....be nice to the CNA's too because when you really need their help they will remember those who were nasty to them and nice to them...trust me...seen it many times.... if you are respectful towards them, they will go over and above out of their way to help you........and lastly have fun & enjoy your newfound career!;) Welcome to the world of nursing!:balloons:

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Do not ever think that this list will be complete, even after 15 years of nursing, I still find do not ever do things, that I wished I had known at the time.

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