How to Survive First Year of Working as a Nurse

After passing your NCLEX the next challenge is how to survive your first year of Nursing. Here are some tips to make your life a little easier.

1. Know the Nursing department you are going to work with and what kind of patient population they have. Study about the diseases they normally have and what are the nursing interventions for a particular disease.

2. Study your orientee manual or your department policy book. They have all the information you need to know how to function as a nurse on a specific unit. Ask for a copy, they normally provide one for each employee, if not make sure you know where the Nursing Protocols are located at.

3. Bring with you a small Nursing Skill Book, drug book, I used my cell phone to write important things about nursing like abgs, normal values, nursing interventions common medications we used or find a computer that you can use for quick reference.

4. Find a mentor. You will have a preceptor who will train you on your first few weeks. Use them as a resource and don’t be afraid to ask. They will not let you go off orientation unless you are ready and you can always ask for extension for your orientation if you are not ready. You will never think you are ready until you are actually doing things on your own. Find other nurses to help you. Nurses help each other out.

5. It’s ok to feel scared. Even nurses who work for a long time don’t know everything. Just don’t be afraid to ask.

6. Always try to learn something new about nursing, brush up your skills by reading nursing magazines or book, attend nursing seminars. The hospital usually provides educational seminars to their employees or they normally pay you to attend a nursing seminar.

7. There will be times that things get though. The only way to survive is don’t give up, learn from your experience and move on.

8. Find a way to de stress your self. Stay healthy, and have fun.

9. Don’t forget to pray each day.