For the first year, most newly qualified nurses will be thinking back to their studies, wondering if anything was missed. Transitioning from a student to a newly registered nurse can be stressful and overwhelming. We understand.
Each night, you’ll be going home worrying if everything you did was correct, thinking about your patients and being anxious in case you missed something out.
This is normal, but after a while, you’ll become more confident in your skills and gain plenty of experience.
But if only there was a guide for new starting nurses…
Well, we wish someone had created a list of tips to help us. This is why we’ve created this guide of 17 tips for newly registered nurses, all to get you started on the right path. Let’s dive right in!
Don’t be scared to ask questions.
Yes, it’s daunting, we know. But everyone needs to develop and your seniors will understand this. It is better to ask a question if you aren’t sure, rather than getting it wrong. Don’t be frightened to ask, because they have also been in your situation. No matter how stupid the question may seem, help will be provided.
Have a notepad or journal.
We wish we had a notepad for our first year! You’ll be learning every day and with so much information going in, without a place to write it down, it will likely be forgotten. Also, in your notepad you can plan your day, making you more prepared and less likely to forget important details.
Be a good team player.
Everyone loves a team player. If you don’t learn how to be a team player, you won’t survive in nursing. Teamwork is key for making sure the best care for patients. Below are some useful things to do, as well as things you shouldn’t do at work.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Do be honest and open with your teammates. | Don’t put teammates under pressure unnecessarily. |
| Do be considerate, ask questions and make suggestions. | Don’t knock others for their ideas. |
| Do keep each other motivated. | Don’t deflect blame or responsibility for your team. |
| Do be reliable and committed. | Don’t talk over someone who is explaining an idea. |
Keep hydrated.
Okay, put the coffee down. Ensure you stay hydrated throughout the day. It can be so easy to get caught up in the day that you forget to drink water. Shifts can be busy, so have a bottle easily accessible to keep on top of your water intake. This will help you to stay focused, decrease the likelihood of headaches and keep you at the top of your game.
Learn from mistakes.
Mistakes? We’ve made more than a few. Mistakes will happen, they are expected. However, you need to make sure you learn from the mistakes and make sure they don’t happen again. Don’t dwell on these mistakes, they can be learnt from and this is a huge part of becoming a better nurse.
Relax when away from work.
Downtime and chill. Your time away from nursing is important. Worrying about all your patients and everything you have done is natural when you’re in the early stages of qualifying. This will pass and you will quickly learn that you need to relax when you’re not at work.
Planning annual leave.
Get your sunglasses ready! Leading on from our last point, self-care is vital, so knowing when your time off is can be beneficial to your mental health. Having something to look forward to and time to rest will be much needed.
Be supervised.
This can be difficult, but make sure you have supervision times. Speak to your senior and receive protected time where you can reflect on your current practice, as well as ways you can improve. This will enhance your professional development.
Stay organised.
Always stay organised. This is crucial as work will become busy, fast. We recommend keeping a small bag or a pouch to keep some items in. Below are some things to keep, as well as other organisation tips.
| Things To Keep In Your Bag | Other Organisation Tips |
| Pens. | Keep a time sheet. |
| Notepad. | Note common medication used in your area. |
| Small cosmetics: lip balm, hand cream etc. | Plan your day. |
| Water bottle. | Review charts before seeing patients. |
Manners come first.
Please and thank you. Make sure to remember to thank people who help you. You are part of a team, this includes all members of staff, from the secretary to the drivers. An easy thank you can go a long way, creating good relationships with other departments.
Report mistakes, always.
Yes, we know, it is embarrassing. This may be scary, it always is. But this is what your team is for. Everyone makes mistakes, but you need to always report them. Not only will it be resolved, but you, as well as your team, can learn from this and improve.
Learn to say no.
N-o spells no. Creating a good work-life balance is important for nurses. Sometimes, you need to refuse extra hours and overtime. Of course, it can be great to use these extra hours to learn, but don’t become burnt out and fatigued due to overworking. Some examples of what to say are
- I would love to help, but I’m feeling a little overwhelmed and need some rest time.
- Can you keep me in mind for next time, the timing right now isn’t perfect?
- I’ve been feeling too busy at work lately and need to prioritise my family right now.
- Maybe next time, right now I just have too much going on.
Create a network.
Facebook at the ready. Your experienced team are a fountain of knowledge, ask them questions but don’t abuse their kindness. Having that support system that can understand and relate to your problems can be beneficial, as well as building positive relationships.
Don’t jump ship too quickly.
We know, the start can extremely tough. Things mightn’t start exactly how you envisioned. This is normal. An easy mistake is to change jobs quickly and move around. Don’t be too hasty, try your hardest to stick things out. You may be making the best decision of your life.
Never stop learning.
Social media away, library cards in. Every day is a chance to learn something new. The best nurses are always looking to advance their career and grow as an individual. This will help your path, as well as helping others around you.
Don’t rush things.
Breathe. There may be times when you are behind on your tasks. In these moments, don’t rush and panic. This is where mistakes are more likely to be made. If needed, ask for help, but don’t cut corners to finish a task. Remember how important safety is.
Enjoy yourself.
We think this is the most important tip! Finally, make sure to enjoy the ride. Surround yourself with like-minded, positive people who love their job. You’ve worked so hard for this opportunity, so take it all in and immerse yourself in the experience.