Words of Guidance to New Nurse

[MiladyMalarkey]

I'm starting on a Neuro Tele floor soon, and have gone through and have read some advice to other new nurses in past posts and have seen some very good tips. I suppose I'm looking for any other pointers or tips on transition from student to actual nurse that veteran nurses would feel are most important to know or reinforce the importance of. It can be anything, from how to adjust to night shift, working with a preceptor, dealing with the transition, talking to docs/other nurses, if I should review anything, etc. Any words of wisdom appreciated. Thanks.

[zbb13]

Only three things:

1. Take a small notebook and make a note of things you might forget later or when you go out on your own.

2. Don’t gossip. Don’t get involved with gossipers. Try to stay neutral. Don’t get dragged in.

3. Don’t give away much information about your private life. You have no idea who might use that information against you in the future. I’ve heard incredible things working nights. People lose their inhibitions when they’re tired or stressed or just because it’s dark and late and it feels safe. Wait until you’ve been on your unit for at least 6 months and you’ve figured out whom to trust.

I know that sounds like strange advice, but it’s advice I would give myself if I had to start again. Best of luck.

[BSN-to-MSN, ADN, BSN, RN]

8 hours ago, kaha2321 said:

Is it better to say "I was taught ______ way in school. In you experience is this applicable/a better way" etc? I am about to graduate and am doing my final rotation on an ortho med surg unit and when things aren't done the way they teach at school I just keep my mouth shut because 1) we are busy and I don't want to slow us down 2) I don't want to come off rude. I do want to learn best practice though.

Thanks

No, don't say that either. Keep mouth shut is a better advice here.

[Davey Do]

56 minutes ago, no.intervention.required said:

No, don't say that either. Keep mouth shut is a better advice here.

With all due respect, no.intervention.required, I beg to differ.

kaha's "...'I was taught ______ way in school. In you experience is this applicable/a better way' etc?" opens up an area for comparison, discussion, and an exchanging of perspectives if not presented in a challenging sort of way.

When orienting a new grad or employee to the facility, I will often say something along the lines of "They want it done this way, but I find it's better or more efficient if it's done this way".

As seasoned nurses, we have learned shortcuts to the textbook way. It's sort of like reading the directions on how to use an appliance and skipping the parts that read " 1) Take the appliance out of the box. 2) Remove the packing material. 3) Plug up the appliance. 4) Turn the switch to the 'on' position...".

With nursing interventions, in situations where seasoned nurses are quite familiar, we can hit the ground running in any portion of the intervention. With new nurses coming into an intervention which is in progress, can be confusing, like wandering into the middle of a movie.

Once again, being open to questioning the way in which an intervention is performed allows for comparison, discussion, and an exchanging of perspectives which can beneficial to all involved parties.

However, as a new nurse, I would advise to follow standard protocol until a different, prudent, and efficient process is realized.

[TriciaJ, RN]

You probably already know this, but do not cut corners with medication administration. Look at every medication 3 times before you actually give it, practice the 5 rights and ALWAYS scan or eyeball the patient's wristband.

Being busy is not the time to fudge on this, it's the time to make doubly sure you follow every. single. step.

[BSN-to-MSN, ADN, BSN, RN]

Sure, be open to discuss nursing skills and interventions, but if my preceptee started the conversation with " I was taught ------ way in school", I would have to use a lot of self control, haha, just rubs me the wrong way.

[Davey Do]

16 minutes ago, no.intervention.required said:

Sure, be open to discuss nursing skills and interventions, but if my preceptee started the conversation with " I was taught ------ way in school", I would have to use a lot of self control, haha, just rubs me the wrong way.

I hear you, no.intervention.required.

I gritted my teeth when a student nurse working as an employee on the unit said something like, "My instructor says to..."

"Fine", I replied, "When your instructor is here, do as she says. But for now, we're going to do it this way!"

[Davey Do]

1 hour ago, TriciaJ said:

do not cut corners with medication administration

We lost likes with the change, but I kept a thousand for you, TriciaJ!

[MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN]

On 8/14/2019 at 7:55 PM, Davey Do said:

As seasoned nurses, we have learned shortcuts to the textbook way. It's sort of like reading the directions on how to use an appliance and skipping the parts that read " 1) Take the appliance out of the box. 2) Remove the packing material. 3) Plug up the appliance. 4) Turn the switch to the 'on' position...".

Haha, this is a perfect analogy that I'll try to remember as I am struggling my way through trying to slowly read & follow the instructions word for word?

[MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN]

On 8/13/2019 at 11:08 PM, Bearcat-RN said:

I found that what helped me the most once I was officially on my own, was to not think "oh my god, I'm on my own and all by myself". I go into work with the mindset that I am still in orientation, and my preceptor (whether they are actually there or not) is on the other end of the unit if I need them. Meaning, I treat it like it's any other day, and if I need help or get lost, I can always ask for help. So much emphasis is put on "being on your own", when really you are never "on your own". Yes you will be the primary nurse responsible for patients, but there are always people on the unit who can help you.

Thanks for this advice especially, I think going solo on my own in the beginning is probably going to be one of the more anxious times of the transition & I'll try to keep this mindset as I go...help is just a call away should (more like when) I need it.