101 THINGS WE SHOULD TEACH EVERY NEW NURSE

It sucks to be a new nurse, but no one is immune to that period of adjustment. It may
take a year or two before you finally get the hang of the nursing practice, but you will
get there. Here are 101 essential survival tips every new nurse must know:

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1. Never be afraid to ask questions. There is always something to learn in the field of
nursing.

2. Learn to admit your mistake. If you plan to keep it forever, bigger problems may arise
in the end. You colleagues will understand if you admit your mistake, and they will help
you solve it.

3. Always clarify if you have doubts. Never hesitate to clarify a detail regarding your
patients care if you are unsure about it.

4. Always think before you answer. Whenever the patient, the relative or the doctor is
asking you some questions, think of the safest way to answer first. This is also the best
thing to do if you are not sure about your response.

5. Plan for the worst and hope for the best. You cannot always predict how peaceful or
how chaotic your shift will be, so always be prepared.

6. Keep up with your charts and task as they come up. If you save them for later, there
might not be enough time to complete them. Remember that you cannot fully anticipate
when you will be really busy.

7. Dont be too hard on yourself. If you need to pee, dont hold it as it will just take few
minutes of your time. If you need to hydrate yourself, drink before continuing with your
tasks. Most nurses delay the little things they need because they focus on finishing a
task but in reality, if you are too hard on yourself the work you do will be greatly
affected.

8. Stay away from negative people at your area. Being a nurse is already a tough job
and it will be helpful to have a positive outlook in your work.

9. Eat between tasks. Nurses are usually deprived of precious time to eat so learn the
trick of eating between tasks.

10. Before calling a doctor, always make a list of the things you need to mention. You
cant fully trust your memory when talking through a phone call especially when the
doctor is always in a hurry.

11. Invest in your footwear. You will walk a lot in your entire nursing career sowear
appropriate nursing shoes that are made for ultimate comfort and durability.

12. Always be on time. Being late is an addicting habit and you need to break it early.
No nurse wants to get home late keep that in mind when receiving the nurse from the
previous shift.

13. Learn to be assertive. You must be always confident with what you are doing even if
you have little idea about it. How can the patient trust you if you are not confident?

14. Avoid being involved in workplace gossips. It will do nothing good to your career as
a nurse.

15. Get some sleep whenever possible. Inefficiency at work happens when there is lack
of sleep. You are also more prone to medical errors when you dont have enough rest.

16. Never leave a room saying that you will be back in a minute. That minute might
never come as you cant predict when you will be busy.

17. If you are unfamiliar with the drug you are about to give, always take time to look it
up. The patient has the right to know about the drug he/she will receive so you should
be armed with the correct information and the precautions to take.

18. Keep in mind that a good conversation is better than medicine.

19. No one has the right to make you feel incompetent unless you allow them to.
Whether you are a new graduate or a veteran nurse with 20 years of experience, there
is no reason for someone to make you feel incompetent.

20. Make your statement short and precise when calling a doctor in the middle of the
night. These doctors are usually sleepy and you will need to relay your concern straightto-the-point so they can quickly understand you.

21. Extend a helping hand to your colleagues when they need it. You will soon realize
how helpful it is to have caring co-workers.

22. Dont fully trust an IV pump. Manually check the rate and volume of the IV fluid
during your rounds.1

23. When being assigned to a new unit, know where the emergency drugs and
equipment are kept. This is important so you can efficiently do codes in case of
emergency.

24. When mixing high-risk IV bags or medications, always ask an experienced RN to

watch you. This will give you confidence and security that you have prepared the right
medication.

25. Invest in continuing education as a nurse. This is helpful in updating and improving
your skills and knowledge.

26. Always carry a penlight in your pocket especially during night shifts. You will need it
for assessments.

27. Remain calm all the time. Do this to focus on the things that should be prioritized,
especially during stressful times.

28. Be careful with your charting. Remember that if it is not charted, it was never
done. Your charting will be very significant in case a lawsuit is brought against the
hospital.

29. Whenever you are about to do a procedure like dressing change or Foley catheter
insertion, bring two of everything. This will save you time and energy if something
unexpected happens while doing the procedure.

30. Use a lighted or glow-in-the-dark watch. You will need this in taking vital signs at
night.

31. Educate the patient and the patients relatives. Health education is an important
part of patient care.

32. Always get the right size of gloves for your hands. Gloves work better when they fit
your hands perfectly.

33. Maintain your nursing competency. Take trainings and certifications to update your
skills and knowledge.

34. If you feel that you are not growing professionally in your chosen field of nursing,
explore other options. You can move to forensic nursing if you feel that hospital-based
practice is not for you. There are lots of sub-specialties of nursing that you can explore
like school nursing, community health nursing and many more.

35. Know your scope of practice very well. Review your states laws in patient care as
well as the Nurse Practice Act. Your states Nurse Practice Act will guide you in your
responsibilities and limitations in working as a nurse.

36. Be a nursing ambassador. Just remember that wherever you go, you are
representing the nursing profession. Your actions, hygiene and attitude should reflect
the nursing profession you have worked hard for.

37. Never forget the reason why you became a nurse. Think about it whenever you are
feeling tired, down or burnt-out from work. It will help you go through the rough times of
being a nurse.

38. You will easily get tired if you start the night shift with a lot of sugar or coffee. Try
having a cup of tea instead. READ: 7 Super Snacks for Night Shift Nurses.

39. Constantly reassess patients pain. Learn to anticipate when you will need to have a
pain medication ordered especially if you are the night shift nurse.

40. Always appear calm and relaxed even though you are freaking out inside. You will
need this to calm down your patients relatives in times of critical conditions.

41. Keep these items in your pocket bandage scissor, tape, hemostat, alcohol swabs,
cotton balls and saline flush. These items are always useful in providing bedside care.

42. There are so many things that need to be done, but always dedicate at least 10
minutes of your shift for charting. Only pain meds and emergencies will disturb that 10
minutes allotted for chart work.

43. Treat yourself at the end of a tiring shift. This will give you the energy and
motivation to continue the next day.

44. Wear compression stockings. Nursing involves a lot of footwork and prolonged
standing. Take care of your legs early so you can avoid developingvaricose veins.

45. Bring bottled drinks, packed lunch and sandwiches. Do this so you will not need to
hurry down to the cafeteria whenever you need to reenergize yourself.

46. Be open to suggestions. If your senior nurse suggests an easier way to do a task, try
it. Experience is the best teacher and your senior nurses know it very well.

47. Look at the patient holistically.

48. When you are working under a preceptor, ask all the questions you have in your
mind. Your preceptors teaching style will not always fit your learning needs.

49. Organize the things you need to do. Writing them down in a piece of paper will help
you remember them. Prioritize which needs to be done first. You can also use it as a
guide in doing your shift report and charting. READ: 12 Time Management Tips
Every Nurse Should Know.

50. Group your tasks. Efficiency is a key in easing down your workload. For example,
when giving medications to a patient, you can also take his/her vital signs and do
physical assessment.

51. Get to know everyone in your unit. You dont need to make friends with them even
outside work but getting to know them will help you adjust to your assigned unit and
feel more comfortable asking for help.

52. Your first year as a nurse is the toughest. All nurses who are new in the profession
undergo the same period of adjustment, so be patient.

53. Avoid complaining. Complaining at work affects the mood of your co-workers so if
you dont want to be labeled, keep your complaints to yourself.

54. Find time to exercise. Exercising is a great stress-reliever and will help you stay fit
for work.

55. Delegate tasks. You cant do all the work alone and this is the reason why you have
nursing assistants. Delegate simple tasks to them in a respectful manner and ask their

opinions as well about patient care. Through this way, they will feel that they are an
important part of the healthcare team.

56. Develop your own support system. Its helpful to talk about your problems at work
with someone who understands it well.

57. Set goals. Where would you want to be in 5 years? Setting your career goals will
help you maximize your profession as a nurse. You should make room for growth.

58. Find something you enjoy doing which has nothing to do with nursing. A hobby will
help you direct your attention away from nursing while at home.

59. While you are still under the orientation program, watch every procedure you will
encounter in the unit. The more seasoned nurses have their own tricks in doing certain
procedures like Foley catheter insertion, dressing changes and bed bath. Always take
notes.

60. Learn to say No. If you know that your time will be compromised and you dont
really like it, refuse your co-workers request.

61. Leave your personal struggles at the door. Forget all your problems at home when
you are at your unit. Remember that medication errors usually happen when the nurse
is distracted.

62. When finding your first nursing job, dont just grab whatever is available. Imagine
the work burnout that you will experience if you will accept a job in a nursing home

when in fact, you are more inclined to pediatric nursing. If you want to stay long in the
nursing field, pick your first nursing job that you really like. READ: Top 10 Job Hunting
Tips for Nurses.

63. Have a work-life balance.

64. Find a mentor in your workplace. A supportive veteran nurse will help you go
through the tough times.

65. Get to know the extent of your job. Keep in mind the job description you signed up
for. It will help you know your responsibilities and limitations in the institution you are
working for. If you feel that you are out of the boundaries of your work as a nurse,
consult your institutions handbook of policies. You can also try talking with your nurse
manager.

66. Be flexible. If you are asked to float in another unit for extra help, accept it. You will
learn a lot from floating to other units.

67. When you have experienced all the hardships of being a nurse, you will have
nothing to fear for. If you run three codes in a single shift, the next time you have a
code you will know what to do very well. The same thing applies when inserting IV lines;
when you have done IV insertion hundreds of times, you will feel that it is now easy to
do venipunctures.

68. When talking with a doctor over the phone, write everything you hear. Theres an
old saying that we forget 80% of what we hear, so take down notes.

69. If you make mistakes, dont dwell on them. Whats important is you learn from your
mistakes and move on.

70. In your first nursing job, feel privileged if your orientation phase takes too long. Its
better to make mistakes with your preceptor than to commit those mistakes alone and
have no idea what to do.

71. If you are overwhelmed by the many things you need to do and you cant decide
which ones to prioritize, try singing a song. It will relax your mind and you will get more
focused to the tasks ahead.

72. Dont apologize for doing your job. If you need to call the attending physician at the
middle of the night, go ahead.

73. Before giving a cardiac medication, always check the patients vital signs first. The
same thing is true for diuretics.

74. When taking care of pediatric patients with complex illnesses, believe what the
parents say. Most of the time, they know more about their childs disease than you do.

75. When asking questions to your patients, always be specific and direct to the point.

76. No matter how tired or stressed out you are, always approach your patients with
positivity and a big smile. They are at the hospital because they have illnesses and they
will thank you for being the bright part of their day.

77. Join a professional organization.

78. After you finish your assessment during your rounds, chart it immediately. You might
forget what you have assessed when you are already preoccupied with other tasks.

79. Get to know your nursing assistants, UAPs, techs and housekeepers. They make
your tasks easier and can even teach you a couple of survival tricks to boot.

80. Go to staff meetings. You dont have to talk but you should appear attentive.
Through this way, your nurse manager and supervisors will remember you easily.

81. When youre faced with a crisis and you dont know what to do, always start with
the basics. Get the patients vital signs, ask their level of pain or assess their level of
consciousness. The other important assessments will stem out from here.

82. Go to social functions of your unit. Youll be amazed by the things you dont know
about the people you are working with.

83. Develop the habit of learning about the medication you are about to give. Look it up
on drug handbooks and watch out for drug interactions. Over time, you will soon
memorize the medications frequently given in your unit. READ:Top 10 Online Drug
Guides for Nurses.

84. Listen to your inner voice. Nurses have this gut feeling that they can trust if they
suspect that there is something wrong with the patient.

85. Invest in a good stethoscope. A stethoscope can last for a lifetime and it will be
your primary buddy in doing assessments.

86. Leave your work at the hospital. Go home with peace in your mind. It is unfair to
think about what you might have forgotten to do at work when you are already at home
with your family.

87. Maintain your integrity. Never do anything shady. If you gave the wrong medication,
report it. If your patient fell off the bed, report it immediately to your nurse manager.
Your patients life is always more important than anything else.

88. When the more seasoned nurses grill you at your report, dont take it personally.
Remember that they know more than you so take this opportunity to learn from them.

89. Never lift or move someone without asking for help. Always take care of your back.

90. You can use a BP cuff as your tourniquet when starting an IV line in an elderly
patient. Using a BP cuff as a tourniquet will let you control the pressure applied to the
veins. Elderly patients have weak veins that can easily blow when punctured under high
pressure.

91. When giving medications, double check everything. Remember the 5 rights right
medication, right patient, right time, right dose and right route. READ:A Nurses
Ultimate to Accurate Drug Dosage Calculations.

92. If you are not really sure about something, ask three people about it. For example, if
you are not sure that the ordered dose is correct, ask the opinions of your senior nurses.

93. Label your own stethoscope and pens. These two things usually get lost in hospitals.
It is easy to replace missing pens but you should take care of your stethoscope well as it
is expensive.

94. Never lie to your patient. If its awkward or inappropriate to say, find a way to say it
without lying. How can patients trust their nurse if you will lie to them?

95. Do physical assessment properly as it will serve as the foundation of your care.
Dont take it for granted; there are many health problems that you can detect by just
doing a complete physical assessment at the beginning of your shift.

96. Use proper body mechanics all the time. You might say that you are too young to
have your back or knees injured but in the long run, you will realize how important it is
in maintaining your physical stamina at work.

97. Always disinfect your stethoscope each time you use it. Remember that your
patients are sick and they already have weak immune system, so dont pass the
infection to them.

98. Always check for IV infiltration at the beginning of your shift. Is the patients IV site
is swollen? Does it hurt? You should be extra watchful for IV infiltration among pediatric
patients.

99. Always practice hand washing. If its time-consuming for you, do hand rubbing with
antimicrobial solution.

100. Be assertive but dont pretend that you know something very well in front of your
co-nurses. They will know if you are faking your skill. Be humble and ask them to teach
you.

101. If you feel like giving up, remember the reason why you decided to become a
nurse. Senior nurses usually advice to let a year pass before you decide to give up. That
one year is the adjustment phase; be patient and motivate yourself always!

Featured image courtesy of Walt Stoneburner via Flickr

About the Author: Je Abarra is a nurse by profession and a freelance writer by passion. She is
working as a staff nurse in the pediatric ward of a private city hospital for more than two years.
During her free time, she usually writes about her fascinations in health and nursing. She loves to
provide tips and fun facts about nursing and healthy living.