10 Things Every Nurse Should Know

As a nurse, we will often experience a variety of emotions, thoughts, feelings, and perceptions towards our own practice and the nursing or medical profession itself throughout our careers. It is important to discuss these thoughts and to normalize them within our profession. While we may think that we are the only one’s personally having certain thoughts, doubts, or experiences, we often come to find that many other nurses think and experience similar things. Here is my list of 10 Things Every Nurse Should Know:

1. Never Be Afraid To Ask For Help

It should always ask for help when you need help. Delegation and teamwork are often necessary to succeed in healthcare, especially during busy shifts. There will be moments when it is simply not possible to do all of the necessary tasks that you have due at the same time. Imagine if you had three patients in your assignment. One patient that has a porter arriving to transfer them to the OR, another patient that is in 8/10 surgical pain and needs a PRN analgesic, and another patient who needs to use the bathroom urgently. It is not possible to be in all three places at the same time, therefor, it would be appropriate to choose one of the tasks to do yourself (typically the more difficult task), and delegate the other two (typically the easier tasks).

2. Mistakes Are Learning Opportunities And Not A Sign Of Failure

As a nurse, we will all make mistakes. What is important, is what we do about those mistakes to ensure that they do not happen again. Mistakes are opportunities for individuals and organizations to learn and grow from in order to improve the delivery of safe and competent patient care. Reporting mistakes or medical errors is important, as it will often lead to organizational review and policy improvement.

3. The Real Learning Begins When You Graduate And Start Working

The real learning begins when you begin your career. There are many nurses that graduate with close to a 4.0 GPA, however that theoretical knowledge does not always directly translate into an excellent clinical skillset. Many of the best nurses that I know graduated with an average GPA and continue to excel in the clinical setting, which is what matters most. As you begin to specialize in different areas of nursing you will learn more about the patient populations you will work with, the surgeries and medications specific to that area of practice, and you will learn and grow with the other medical professionals around you.

4. Remember That Your Top Priority Is Caring For Your Patients

This is not to say that other parts of your life or your nursing career are not a priority. This is simply meant to be a reminder that patients are your priority. At times you may find yourself in challenging situations, perhaps even disagreeing with other members of the medical team about a patient’s care. Above all else, remember that you are an advocate for your patients, and as long as you continue to do what is best for them, you are doing a great job as a nurse.

5. If You Don’t Know Something That’s Okay… Look It Up

It is normal not to know things in the medical profession. This industry is continuously evolving with new research, technology, medications, procedures, and diseases arising. If you don’t know something, simply look it up. Never perform a procedure or give a medication that you are unfamiliar with. You can always take a moment to have another staff member review a policy or assist you with a procedure, or to take a few moments to look up a medication that you have not given before. If you pick one or two things to look up each day, you will gradually learn more and more, while not overwhelming yourself with trying to know everything.

6. Invest In Comfortable Shoes

Depending on your shift, you may walk anywhere from 5,000-15,000+ steps a day. Your feet and back will thank you for investing in comfortable and supportive shoes.

7. You Get To Go Home At The End Of The Day

Being able to separate work from personal life is important. Some shifts will be better than others and that is the reality of working in any profession. During those difficult moments, often reminding ourselves that we get to go home each day can help ease the emotions or stressors we are experiencing. My drive home is my time to reflect on my shift with what went well and what could have gone better, and when I finally get home, I leave work at the door.

8. Know That You Are Making A Difference

At the end of the day, your patients and families will remember how you made them feel during their most vulnerable moments. Taking the time to get to know your patients or families, making them feel heard and listened to, and to sharing a genuine connection with them, can make a world of a difference to those you will care for. Being in the hospital can be lonely and cause a significant amount of anxiety or stress from the loss of control and unknowns of what to expect. How you make someone feel during those moments can help them navigate through these challenging circumstances.

9. Take Control Of Your Retirement/Investments

Being a nurse is an incredible career, not only for the rewarding work we do at the workplace, but also for the life that it affords us to do outside of it. Given that we receive a fair compensation and benefits, it is important to think about your future as well as your families future too. Speaking to a financial advisor or investor can help set you and your family up for success well into the future… Especially early in your career, time is a significant asset that you have, allowing you to save or invest small amounts over a period of time that could yield exponential results long-term.

10. Self-Care Should Be A Priority

Self-care should be a top priority in your life as a nurse. Investing into ourselves better allows us to care for others, which is especially important in our profession. Separating work from home life, exercising, meditating or doing yoga, going to the spa, spending time with family or friends, going to sporting events or concerts, or taking vacations, are just a few great ways to make self-care a priority.