Nursing tips to help new nurses find career success
You earned your degree, successfully got a nursing license, and currently work as a newbie nurse. So, what now? One only becomes a great nurse after some time. Every nurse has to start from the bottom and work their way up. More than just knowledge and intelligence, it takes experience, hard work, and grit to be successful. Here are some nursing tips to help new nurses find career success.
Do not be afraid to ask questions
No one expects you to know everything immediately, especially as a newbie nurse. In the healthcare industry, part of learning is to ask questions. Remember that it is someone’s health that you are taking care of, and in severe cases, life may be at risk.
Whenever there is something that you are unsure of, such as a procedure, medication, or treatment plan, do not hesitate to ask your colleagues or supervisor. It is always better to ask and clarify than to assume.
Build a positive relationship with your colleagues
No man is an island. In the case of a healthcare facility, even though you have patients assigned under your care, you still work with your colleagues. This is not limited to fellow nurses but includes doctors, caregivers, aides, and other medical staff.
Do not be a lone wolf. You can only do some things. That being said, befriend the people you work with. Keep it professional but also do not be afraid to open up. After all, you will be spending most hours of your shift together. Everyone in the facility has to cooperate for the betterment of the patients.
Lend a helping hand
The hospital or healthcare facility operates as a team. When you see someone too busy and need help, always be ready to lend a hand. Ask how you can assist. At the same time, when you cannot handle your tasks anymore or have challenges, ask for help from your colleagues.
Learn how to communicate with teammates
Communication is critical to a prosperous and harmonious institution. Among the nursing tips to help new nurses find career success is to study how to communicate with others.
Develop communication skills and practice active listening. Listen to what your colleagues have to say and communicate to them clearly what you want to tell them. It’s the perfect balance of talking and listening.
Do not be in a rush
Sure, many tasks need to be accomplished within your shift. However, if you are still a newbie, chances are, you still have not mastered the usual nursing tasks. Even with prior experience, take your time in fulfilling your responsibilities.
Avoid always being in a rush as this may lead to mediocre work being done. Be time-efficient but at the same time ensure that you are mindful of what you are doing. The goal is to provide quality care and service to your patients during your shift.
Group your tasks and prioritize
Many tasks may be overwhelming, mainly when you have limited time. The best way to maximize your shift is to organize your tasks and cluster similar activities together. This way, your assignments will not be all over the place.
What tasks are similar? What tasks can be done in one sitting? What tasks have the same venue or the exact requirements? When you bundle them together, you get a better view of what you have to accomplish and how to achieve them. This will also give you an idea of which tasks you must prioritize according to urgency.
Find a mentor and follow good practices
As a newbie, some nurses have more experience and knowledge than you. Use this to your advantage. If you find a colleague you see with good traits that you want to emulate, consider them your mentor. See their good practices and try to follow and do these yourself.
Discover learning opportunities
We can’t stress this enough: Never stop learning. Even seasoned nurses with years of experience are still open to learning new things. Science, after all, is ever-evolving and constantly innovating.
Aside from your firsthand experience at the hospital, you can learn through training, seminars, and other opportunities. When given a chance, take part in these learning activities. See how you can grow from the knowledge and skills you gain from these.
Consider taking post-graduate studies. Some institutions offer scholarships, so grab that opportunity when you can. Learning is essential to your career and professional growth.
Take care of yourself
With all the hustle and bustle of hospital work, taking care of yourself may be forgotten. One advice we can give when it comes to nursing tips to help new nurses find career success is taking care of oneself.
Your greatest capital and resource is yourself, including your mind and body. With this, you must take care of your mental and physical state.
Eat full meals even when there are many tasks to accomplish at work. Take time to nourish your body so that you have enough energy to get you through your shift. Pack light snacks that you can munch on from time to time. Of course, choose healthy options such as nuts, chocolate, and fruits.
Exercise regularly or take walks to keep your body in good shape. Make sure you are getting enough rest to power through the day. During weekends or your days off, catch up on sleep. Also, do things that make you happy such as hobbies and family time.
Find success in your nursing career
There is so much in store for you as a newbie nurse. Some nursing tips to help new nurses find career success include asking questions when needed, finding a mentor to follow and emulate, learning how to organize tasks, and most important part, taking care of yourself. Don’t be too hard on yourself. There is something new to learn every day.