The first days up to the first year on the job can be overwhelming. When you’re a new nurse, meeting new people, applying textbook knowledge to real-life situations, and learning by doing each job-related activity can be equally exciting and terrifying.
A smooth transition from student life to RN life is any nurse’s dream. We have put together a guide with the best tips and tricks to help you achieve that. Let’s go through some of the best advice that will ensure that you not only survive your first year as a new grad nurse, but make the absolute best out of it!
Break the ice The first few days of a nurse job are pivotal for any new grad. As you step into your career, there are many new faces and names to remember and many people you’ll work with whom you should try to get to know.
Since nursing is not a solitary enterprise, an excellent tip is to take the initiative and get to know your coworkers. And we’re not only talking about your fellow nurses but also make a case of introducing yourself to all the people involved in the running of a unit or hospital: the physicians, the residents, the nursing assistants, the managers, the physical therapists, the nutritionists, and the cleaning staff. Knowing the people you work with will help you get more comfortable in your new environment faster. It’s also useful for the colleagues on the other side of the introduction because they are just as eager to make your acquaintance. Find a mentor Finding a nursing mentor, either someone who works in the same institution or someone from the outside, whose advice and expertise you trust, may come a long way in helping you adjust to a new career. A valuable mentoring relationship relies on you asking questions, taking notes, establishing goals, setting expectations, and developing clear objectives for yourself and your nursing practice. Your mentor can be a tremendous help in this process. Always ask questions. We cannot stress this new-nurse tip enough: Do not be afraid to ask questions! A patient’s treatment, recovery, or even life can depend on it. Going into a new job, nurses want to make a good first impression, and some may think that asking questions is a sign of weakness or an indication of a lack of expertise. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Learn to prioritize tasks One of the most important things you need to get the hang of as a new nurse is the art of time management. It’s definitely not easy to master, so you ought to be patient with yourself as you navigate all the intricacies of learning to prioritize. As a nurse, you have many tasks to manage: taking vitals, doing assessments, performing nursing diagnoses, administering medications – and all for multiple patients. At the same time, some patients are more critical, and some tasks more pressing. It’s crucial to find an organizational technique that works for you. Self Care is Key! Nurses tend to be some of the most selfless and dedicated people, always putting the needs of others before their own. But when starting this job, there’s a crucial piece of advice you should always keep in mind: you are your most important patient. In order to be the best nurse you can be, you need to prioritize your health, safety, wellbeing, and emotions. Take care of yourself. Take time to decompress when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Sleep well, eat well, stay hydrated, and exercise. Make sure you devote time to family, friends, and hobbies outside of work.
Comfortable shoes go a long way. The following piece of advice is more pragmatic in nature, but it is one of the most important, albeit often overlooked bits of information on this list. Always wear comfortable shoes! Nurses walk around five miles during an average 12-hour day shift. Some simple math and we find out that it only takes a little over five shifts to cover the marathon distance. As such, you must ensure you are most comfortable if you want to perform your best throughout your entire work day. Truly, genuinely, and wholeheartedly enjoy it! Brace yourself for the most noteworthy piece of advice we have for new, experienced – and all nurses in general: You’ve worked hard for it, and now you deserve to enjoy it fully. Cherish the fact that you are on the frontlines of saving lives. Find value in having followed your calling. Enjoy the paychecks, the benefits, and the growth opportunities. Take delight in the professional and personal relationships you develop. Enjoy clocking into work every morning and appreciate each shift’s challenges and rewards.
And most importantly, never lose sight of your ‘why.’ Why you became a nurse, why you keep at it, why you feel like this is your calling. As long as your ‘why’ is at the heart of your practice, you’ll always have a reason to genuinely and wholeheartedly enjoy what you do.
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