So I have finally done what felt like the impossible, I’m graduating from nursing school in May. I was wondering if everyone could give me some tips on how to be a good nurse.
I don’t want to mess up and I want to be a great advocate for my patients but I know I have no experience so I have many things to learn. I would like if you could provide me with words of wisdom and some of your nursing experience.
-Pam
This question was asked in the nursing forum section.
S.L. Page says
Hi Pam! Welcome to the site! First of all congratulations on graduating in May 🙂 It is such an awesome accomplishment. Here are some of my words of wisdom.
1.) Try to take as many education classes offered during your orientation period as a new nurse. When I first started out I was in orientation for about 2.5 months and during that time the hospital I worked for offered new nurses several courses to help prepare us for the real life situations we would encounter on the unit.
2.) Find a mentor. This should be someone who you work with that you can go to with those hard questions. For instance, a mentor can help guide you in sticky situations you can’t find answers to in a book. A mentor is some one with nursing experience who has at one time been in your shoes.
3.) Give it time. At first you are going to feel really, really overwhelmed because of everything being so new. You will probably feel like you will never catch on. Give it 6 months and trust me you will feel so much better. Don’t get discouraged but be confident.
Pam, I hope you keep in touch with us and let us know how it goes. Thank you for your kind words in the email regarding my book. I hope others find it useful as you did.
Sarah
Pam says
Sarah, thank you for your response. I am definitely going to take as many courses as I can and for sure give things time. I already feel so overwhelmed especially since NCLEX is looming closer everyday. You are welcome for the comment about your book. I’m just so glad I found this site and the book.
I plan on keeping in touch because I know I will have more questions once I start working as a RN (can’t wait until I’m a official RN).
Pam