Training Wheels For Nurses: What I Wish I Had Known My First 100 Days On The Job: Wisdom, Tips, And Warnings From Experienced Nurses

Training Wheels for Nurses: What I Wish I Had Known My First 100 Days on the Job: Wisdom, Tips, and Warnings from Experienced Nurses

Nothing is more daunting than your first 100 days in a new profession -- unless you go in prepared. Who better to advise you on how to successfully make it through than hundreds of experienced nurses who have been successful themselves?Benefit From Their Wisdom:Never call a physician without all the facts -- vital signs, baselines, labs, meds, history, etc.! I now have all of my "ducks in a row" before calling the MD.Hospital staff nurseIt really doesn't matter how well you can give a shot or do a dressing change. Usually, the best medicine is a good conversation.Orthopedic nurseLearn from Their Mistakes:Be ready to let go of the false belief that you must "know everything" right away in order to be a good nurse. The imposter syndrome, while rampant among new nurses, doesn't serve us well!Long-term Facility Geriatrics nurseGo to the bathroom when you need to! (Nurses are notorious for "holding it!")Surgical nurseAnd Remember That Humor Conquers All:There's nothing like eating popcorn from an unused bedpan.Emergency room nurseI get to have as many free band-aids as I want!Medical nurseAbout the AuthorBarbara Arnoldussen, an honors graduate of the Marquette University College of Nursing, received an MBA from San Jose State University. She is the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Officer for the Research Compliance Office at Stanford University, ensuring that its human subject research studies meet national standards. She has also been a consultant to a NASA patient safety initiative, a hospital and a clinic quality manager, clinic director, online educator, research coordinator, and newspaper reporter.