What is the one piece of advice you wish you could tell yourself as a nursing student

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The topic says it all. What's the one thing you wish you could tell your younger self, either as a student, or as a newb nurse?

Ask questions! I'm most comfortable as a loner but I learned the hard way that asking questions is uber-important and does not mean I'm weak.:nurse:

asking questions is uber-important and does not mean I'm weak.

This is probably the singularly most important thing I've learned in my life, and I'm so glad to see it posted here. Thanks Duchess :)

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Have confidence in yourself! I lacked self-confidence as a student and a new nurse and that lack of confidence held me back personally and professionally.

It took me many years go grow some backbone and learn to stand up for myself. Now I choose my battles and sometimes I let things go, but I'm no longer a pushover. I would have been much happier in my career and in life had I figured this out earlier.

I love this advise.:yeah::heartbeat:up:

I have had to learn the same thing. It took me awhile and I'm glad that I'm learning it before I go into the medical field.

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Do as much as you can. Being scared of nervous held me and many class mates back. If anything, it will be scarier when you are a new grad and semi- expected to already be proficient in those skills!

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Go the extra mile in clinicals. Volunteer for more challenging patients. Go to open labs and practice, practice, practice!!

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My gut told me to walk away. I should have listened. People tell you, "you'll find your niche" sometimes there is no niche.

There is no shame in knowing that nursing school isn't for you. I should have done Health Records Technology.

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someone will inevitably try to demean you, intimidate you, browbeat you, etc.

do not take it personally.

iow, this is the time to develop a thick skin...

in preparation to the realities of your nsg career.

take any perceived negative, and turn it into a positive...a learning/growing experience.

you'll be glad you sucked it up in school...

one less stressor to worry about in your 1st job.

leslie

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Specializes in Psychiatry, ICU, ER.

Sometimes you just need to stop stressing the you-know-what out for once and have a beer.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, ICU, ER.

(I'm finding that the above is true no matter how long I've been in nursing... write that one down, kids.) ;)

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I felt that I had to be perfect at clinical skills before I graduated. In reality most of the learning took place once I graduated. My first job taught me more in one week than all my clinicals combined.

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Read the syllabus for all your classes and focus your attention on what you really need to understand from the course objectives. There is way too much to get! But if you understand the basics, you can build a solid foundation!

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Specializes in Primary Care and ICU.

Hide your lunch - someone will eat it, or toss it out.

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Specializes in Long Term Care, Pediatrics.

Practice using S-BAR alot; it will help you not sound stupid. Practice using it to explain everyday issues to your family, practice using it when talking with classmates, make it come so natural that it becomes your primary language.

Had I used S-BAR from the beginning, I wouldn't have felt stupid so many times talking to doctors and older nurses. Life would have been easier.

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