10 Tips for Starting a New Nursing Job Off on the Right Foot
Starting a new Nursing job is a time filled with promise and expectations, but it's also tinged with uncertainty. To help assure your success, heed the advice of experienced nurses. They can help you steer clear of potential missteps and suggest strategies that can help ensure a smooth transition to your new environment.
1. Leverage Your Orientation
Take advantage of every learning opportunity, urges Jean Mills, RN, MS, clinical instructor with the University of Illinois College of Nursing. Even experienced nurses actively engage in new employee orientations. At the end of your orientation, if you don't feel comfortable working without your mentor, or if you feel shaky in certain situations or with certain procedures, ask to be reoriented by the staff education department, Mills suggests.
2. Get the Max from Your Mentor
Work closely with your assigned mentor or preceptor to share in her wisdom. Mismatches do occur, so if you aren't hitting it off, speak to the unit manager about getting assigned to a new mentor. Once formal mentoring ends, seek out informal mentors. "Find seasoned nurses willing to take you under their wing," says Nancy DiDona, EdD, RNC, coordinator of the traditional program in nursing at Dominican College.
3. Stay Out of the Dirt
It's tempting to get caught up in unhealthy dynamics when you're new and trying to fit in. But don't do it. Step back, assess the situation and develop an appropriate professional response. Ask, "Is there a better way we can handle this?" Or say, "This is what I'm hearing." Both are positive ways of getting people to reflect on what is happening.
4. Bond with Your Team
Build good will by offering to help colleagues in a difficult situation. Hopefully, they'll return the favor. Get to know your coworkers. "Socialization is so important," says Patricia McLaughlin, MSN, staff nurse at the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. "You don't have to go out to lunch or send birthday cards, but at least find out about people." As a new nurse, you're vulnerable to being dumped on, so being a team player can help prevent that from happening.
5. Be Teachable
Don't ever be afraid to ask questions -- doing so can benefit both you and the person you're asking. "Sometimes questions from new people make you as the leader see things differently," McLaughlin says. Questions can also prevent mistakes, notes McLaughlin who recalls the time a question from a colleague prevented her from making a medication error.
6. Keep Your Eyes Open
Observe the experts on your unit or in your practice setting, suggests McLaughlin. You can learn a great deal by watching how they arrive at an agreement, handle difficult patients and interact with physicians. See what works and what doesn't.
7. Set Priorities
Learn to evaluate which needs are most critical and look for ways to delegate tasks that someone else can handle, such as transporting a discharge patient. Ask the senior people on the floor how they handle a situation or troubleshoot with management to find new ways of doing things. Often, as a new employee, you have a much clearer vision of what is going on and can (tactfully) question existing processes that may not be working.
8. Make Friends in High and Low Places
Nobody works in a vacuum. Befriend both support staff and management. Don't think you're above the maintenance staff, unit secretaries or patient-care technicians. "That's a curse that can come back and bite you," McLaughlin warns. "They can destroy you if you get on their bad side." And interacting with nursing managers who set policies will help you avoid the "us versus them" mentality.
9. Recharge Your Batteries
Take time to destress. It will make you a better nurse.
10. Give Your New Position a Fair Shake
When you get frustrated or discouraged, don't give up on yourself or the institution, thinking you made the wrong job or career choice. "All change is frightening, and you need time to adapt to your new role as a professional," DiDona says. "It takes a good six months to a year to feel part of a work situation."
I work as a pediatric nurse, and often have the painful job of giving shots to the children. One day upon entering the examining room to give a shot the little girl starting screaming “NO! NO! NO!” “Jessica” her mother scolded, “that is not polite behavior!” At that the girl continued to scream “NO THANK YOU! NO THANK YOU! NO THANK YOU!”
Hey nurses and nurses! We are giving away a a prize worth over $1,000 dollars! ScrubsInc.com is giving away a scrub set from Wonder Wink, Cherokee, Grey's Anatomy, Maevn, Lakhani, and Med Couture. Thats not all! We also have a fresh new pair of Dansko shoes and a Littmann stethoscope! HOW TO ENTER:
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Multiple entries allowed. Winners will be chosen at random and announced December 12th via Instagram. The winner or winners are required to submit his/her mailing address to marketing@scrubsinc.com by 5 p.m., PST *January 8th, 2015. *Winners who do not submit their mailing addresses as required by January 8th, 2015, after being announced as winners via www.scrubsinc.com, www.ascrublife.blogspot.com and or Instagram @ ScrubsNuniforms, forfeits his/her prize. Scrubs Inc staff and their immediate family members are not eligible to win. Participants are not eligible to win more than once. The contest is open for entry to residents 18 years of age and older in the contiguous United States only. No cash value. Shipping is not included. Scrubs Inc will be allowed to use the images, posts, and entrants name in any and all media formats without consent from the entrant and without expectation of compensation and will not be held liable for any damages resulting from such use. Scrubs Inc reserves the right to alter contest rules as necessary. Scrubs Inc is a distributer of scrubs and uniforms and cannot be held liable for any damage or misuse.
A lady came in for a routine physical at the Doctor’s office . “Here”, said the nurse, handing her a urine specimen container. “The bathroom is over there on your right. The Doctor will be with you in a few minutes.” A few minutes later the lady came out of the bathroom with an empty container and a relieved look on her face. “Thanks! But they had a toilet in there, so I didn’t need this after all!”
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Winner will be announced December 12th!
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Multiple entries allowed. Winners will be chosen at random and announced December 12th via Instagram. The winners are required to submit his/her mailing address to marketing@scrubsinc.com by 5 p.m., PST *December 19th, 2014. *Winners who do not submit their mailing addresses as required by December 19th, 2014, after being announced as winners via www.scrubsinc.com, www.ascrublife.blogspot.com and Instagram @ ScrubsNuniforms, forfeits his/her prize. Scrubs Inc staff and their immediate family members are not eligible to win. Participants are not eligible to win more than once. The contest is open for entry to residents 18 years of age and older in the contiguous United States only. No cash value. Shipping is not included. Scrubs Inc will be allowed to use the images, posts, and entrants name in any and all media formats without consent from the entrant and without expectation of compensation and will not be held liable for any damages resulting from such use. Scrubs Inc reserves the right to alter contest rules as necessary. Scrubs Inc is a distributer of scrubs and uniforms and cannot be held liable for any damage or misuse.
The right shoes can help nurses focus solely on their patients.
Healthy feet are among a nurse's most important assets. Working long hours on your feet make proper footgear not only helpful, but essential.
"The most important consideration for healthy shoe wear is the accommodation of the width of your foot," said Dr. Barbara Bergin, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in Austin, Texas. "The next consideration is arch support."
Your shoes should also provide ample support and fit the general shape of your feet well. Because feet needs vary, the brand that works for one nurse may not work for you.
Dansko Clogs
Photo Credit Photograph Courtesy Dansko
The ability to easily slip backless shoes on and off may seem appealing, but they are a major don't for nurses, according to Bergin.
"There are only two ways a backless shoe stays on your foot," she said. "Either it’s tight across the arch, or you have to use your toes to hold it on when your foot is in the swing phase of your gait."
A good alternative? High-quality clogs, said Bergin, who wears and often recommends to her patients Dansko clogs. Husband and wife team Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup created Dansko shoes with lasting comfort in mind.
"Your foot kind of floats in the shoe and seeks its level of comfort," said Bergin. "Because it stays balanced on your foot with the finger breadth of space, there is no compression on sensitive areas."
As of 2013, most Dansko clogs cost $115 to $145 at a variety of retail and online stores.
Therafit
Photo Credit Photograph Courtesy Therafit
"As a fitness trainer, I've got to have a power-house shoe, one that I can rely on when exercising or hitting the pavement to train clients," said Shawnee Harkins, creator and producer of fitness themed TV shows, including "Fit in the Street." She wears and recommends Therafit shoes, a line co-created by Dr. Lisa Masterson, an obstetrician/gynecologist and host of the TV show "The Doctors."
Therafit's patented Personalized Comfort System allows you to adjust the impact protection and cushion level to suit your personal needs and preferences. The wedge absorbs shock, and the outsole can be adjusted to increase or decrease impact resistance.
"Therafit [shoes are] the embodiment of a proper shoe for exercise, play and work," Harkins said, adding that they can help relieve muscle and joint pain while guarding against occupational injuries. Most Therafit walking shoes sell for $95 through the company's website. If your shoes don't fulfill your expectations, you can exchange or return them at no charge for up to 30 days after the purchase date.
Nike Free
Photo Credit Photograph Courtesy Nike
Nike Free shoes are designed to let your feet move more freely and naturally than typical athletic shoes. The company's website claims this freedom allows your feet to grow stronger over time.
"Nike Free is my favorite shoe for walking around in all day," said Heather Binns, a certified personal trainer and coach at Full of Life Fitness in North Hollywood, California.
While some shoes are best suited for narrow feet, Nike Free is designed for average-width and wider feet. Because you'll likely use muscles in your feet more than you're accustomed to, Nike recommends you make a gradual transition from your current shoes to Nike Free. Nike Free shoes are available at most online and brick-and-mortar shoe stores and sell for $95 to $160.
New Balance
Photo Credit Photograph Courtesy New Balance
Binns and Bergin both recommend New Balance as a suitable brand for nurses -- and you need not opt for walking-specific styles. Running shoes, for example, are designed for high levels of impact and activity.
"New Balance makes a high-quality running shoe," Bergin said. "In general, I think good quality running shoes make good work shoes."
As an added perk, New Balance stores are staffed with professionals who can help you make the best purchasing decision while allowing you to learn more about your shoe-fitting needs. New Balance running shoe prices range from about $64.99 to $174.99, depending on the make and model. They're available at most athletic shoe stores and websites.
A nursing assistant, a floor nurse and a charge nurse from a small nursing home were taking a lunch break in the break room. In walks a lady dressed in silk scarves and wearing large polished-stone jewelry. “I am Gina the Great,” stated the lady. “I am so pleased with the way you have taken care of my aunt that I will now grant the next three wishes!” With a wave of her hand and a puff of smoke, the room was filled with flowers, fruit and bottles of drink, proving that she did have the power to grant wishes before any of the nurses could think otherwise.
The nurses quickly argued among themselves as to which one would ask for the first wish. Speaking up, the nursing assistant wished first. “I wish I were on a tropical island beach, with single, well-built men feeding me fruit and tending to my every need.” With a puff of smoke, the nursing assistant was gone.
The floor nurse went next. “I wish I were rich and retired, and spending my days in my own warm cabin at a ski resort with well-groomed men feeding me cocoa and doughnuts.” With a puff of smoke, she too was gone.
“Now, what is the last wish?” asked the lady.
The charge nurse said, “I want those two back on the floor at the end of the lunch break.”
