The Ultimate Survival Tips For New Nurses
Choosing a career path within the medical profession can be a rewarding and quite frankly amazing thing. You'll be the first line of medical support for people around the country, and you could one day be responsible for saving another person's life.
If becoming a doctor isn't for you, and you prefer to be able to mix medical examinations with bonding and making patients feel comfortable; nursing could be the perfect option for you. Nurses are the ones who patients will talk to about how they feel, and you can put them at ease if they are nervous of being in the hospital. Nursing is not an easy profession; it takes years of training and experience to become confident in the role, which is why we've compiled a list of survival tips for new nurses working in the field.
Find A Mentor
It is much easier to learn and progress if you have someone to mentor and coach you through your shifts. You may feel nervous as a new nurse and need some guidance in familiarising yourself with the hospital and procedures involved in the job. Some hospitals offer a mentorship program, which means that you will be able to ask a senior nurse and get yourself some regular sessions with an experienced member of the team.
Don't Be Afraid To Ask Questions
Don't be that kid who always struggled in class because they were too afraid to ask the teacher for help. Asking questions is the best way to gain an understanding of the subject because you will be answered with an in-depth explanation. Particularly in the medical profession, it is better to ask a question than making a mistake.
Wear Sensible Shoes
Nursing shoes are an essential for anyone working on the wards. As a nursing professional you will be on your feet all day, and you will only get a small amount of time to sit down. This is why having practical and comfortable footwear is crucial. Otherwise, you could end up with sore feet and blisters, making it hard for you to concentrate on your day.
Lean Stress-Busting Techniques
One of the most annoying effects of working in a hospital is stressful. Being under too much stress can cause illnesses such as fatigue, anxiety and in extreme cases, depression. It is important to balance your work and home life in order to prevent this from happening. It is also advisable to try and perform relaxation techniques regularly. Try downloading a meditation app to your phone and practicing for 10 minutes each day. It has been proven to clear your mind and allow you to feel refreshed for the day ahead.
Jot Important Things Down
Always carry a small notebook around with you. As someone who is still learning, you will have a lot of new things to note down throughout your first months working at a hospital. It could be that you need to jot down the steps in a medical procedure, note down the effects of certain drugs or just use it for general notes. Writing things down can help you to retain information for longer, as well as allowing you to refer back to the information at a later date when you may need it.
Plan Ahead
You will have a lot of different tasks to complete each day, which is why it is so important that you learn how to prioritize and order you jobs depending on your deadlines and urgency. Having a plan to hand will make things much easier and ensure that you don't forget anything crucial during your shift.
Meal Prep
Working long hours and nights can mean that you eating routine can be somewhat odd. But instead of reaching for a bowl of ramen at 3 am, instead try to incorporate meal prep into your routine. Spending 1 hour each week to cook off a bulk amount of rice, veggies, and meat can save you a tonne of work during the week and allow you to eat nutritious foods for a healthier body still. Consider also investing in a smoothie maker for those days when you need a quick breakfast or lunch.
Make Time For Me Time
Finally, working in the medical profession can take a huge chunk of your time, so don't forget to dedicate a little time for yourself each week. An hour or two to allow you to run a relaxing bath, read your favorite book and sip a glass of wine is good for your physical and mental health.
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