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Introduction
New nurses have accomplished something significant. That is graduating from nursing school. They also deserve a lot of recognition and accolades, considering their job is one of the most difficult ones around. Caring and treating sick patients is never easy. Yet, someone who decided to become a nurse and realizing what their role fully entails has a robust altruistic side.
However, brand new nurses will struggle to adjust to their new role initially. They don’t know the other nurses and doctors that will work with them. Facing difficult staff and patients is inevitable. They need plenty of help and guidance. Listed below are six tips for new nurses so they can adjust to their role quicker.
1. Purchase The Right Nursing Shoes
Nurses must realize the risks that they are facing when they work in a hospital setting. They’ll be on their feet for 12 long hours with a few breaks in between. They’ll be walking on slippery hard hospital floors. If they fall, then they’ll risk themselves for experiencing severe injuries. At the very least, they’ll experience foot pain and foot complications such as bunions.
Therefore, nurses must realize they must purchase the best nursing shoes to keep them safe from falling. Additionally, the right nursing shoes will keep their feet in good shape as they are on their long shifts.
2. Talk To The Other Staff
New nurses may become a wallflower when they first arrive at their new place of work, the hospital, or the clinic. They’ll see many nurses and doctors who they have never seen before. They’ll be feeling quite shy, and they will have a hard time getting to know the staff if they don’t open up and introduce themselves. They’ll want to be a wallflower and watch the other staff mingle.
The best solution for brand new nurses is to go up to a staff member and start introducing themselves. Even if they appear to be busy. Even if these nurses don’t like small talk, they can break the ice by telling the other staff members at the hospital who they are and that they are new. An excellent topic for new nurses to talk about is how much they love their new nursing shoes.
3. Find A Crew Who They Can Go To When There Is A Problem
New nurses will connect with some of the staff more than others. It boils down to chemistry among them and the other staff members. Some, unfortunately, may not get along well with some staff members, but they will connect quite well with others. The ones who they feel the most comfortable with are those who they need to stick to when a situation they need help with arises.
The staff members that the new nurses feel the most bonded to are the ones who will have their backs. However, at the same time, they are responsible for keeping up with maintaining the bond. Finding staff members who connect with them the most help the new nurses feel comfortable at their latest work setting quite fast as they begin to feel more adjusted.
4. Ask Plenty Of Questions
One of the essential tips for new nurses is always to ask questions. In fact, by not asking questions, you’re only putting yourself and your patients into dangerous situations. There is no shame in not knowing things, but there is shame in not asking about what you do not know.
Remember one thing. The healthcare industry is evolving rapidly, and your role as a nurse will be growing as well. Therefore, asking questions is something you’ll need to do for the rest of your nursing career. Begin asking important questions now as a new nurse, so you become used to doing so. Your patients and your nursing license depend on it. There are no stupid questions.
Here is an example of why it is necessary to keep asking questions. A nurse comes by and asks you, ‘can you come and help suction my patient at 19?‘. You’ll have no clue as to what she means by that. Instead of answering ‘yes‘, ask her what she means by that. Even if you feel foolish and have no idea what ‘at 19‘ means, ask anyway. Once again, your nursing license and that patient depend on that.
Another critical thing to remember is learning about hospital policies. In addition to that, know how to ask your colleges for the information you require. The simple solution to that is to be direct as well as being resourceful.
5. Cheating Is Important At First
You’re no longer at nursing school, where you have to rely on your memory for taking exams. You’re with patients that depend on you. Cheating is okay by looking up all of the medications before administering them. You’re not going to remember which drugs are safe to take with juice or water, or no food. Look it up.
Don’t perform any procedures before you refresh yourself on the skills. In addition to that, if you notice an odd rhythm on a monitor, ask another nurse to monitor it while you grab your EKG book to refresh your memory. Eventually, cheating won’t be necessary, and your mind will serve you. That is not the case in the beginning. Remember how tired you’ll be from standing all day. That has an impact on your memory.
6. Look After Your Needs Because You Are The Most Important Patient
You’re aware of the importance of investing in a good pair of nursing shoes. That is not the only way to take care of yourself. Many nurses fall ill during their first year of nursing. You can stay healthy by eating well, sleeping well, and practicing good hygiene, so you don’t get sick and end up with back pain.
The number of germs there are in a hospital is one thing you are aware of, which is why protecting yourself is highly relevant. Wear a mask and gloves in situations where the patient is coughing. Sanitize your hands each time you handle a patient that is sick or one of their items. Looking after your own needs and health is highly essential.
Conclusion
New nurses are overwhelmed by not knowing full what their responsibilities entail at the hospital. However, adopting important self-care habits is highly relevant in addition to getting new and ideal nursing shoes. In addition to that, asking essential questions to other hospital staff is critical. Forming bonds with staff members is also necessary so that new nurses begin to feel comfortable, this includes chefs as they will most likely be wearing slip resistant shoes as well, so you will have something in common to discuss!
They’ll form bonds with some of the staff that they can depend on and trust when they need help with something. New nurses can cheat as they no longer are in nursing school, where they have to rely on their memories for exams. By knowing that, a lot of the pressure becomes removed. Those are the critical tips for new nurses to follow.