Let’s talk about the stuff no one tells you in nursing school: the unwritten rules of the job. You won’t find these in a textbook or policy manual, but you’ll learn them fast once you’re on the floor.
Some of these rules keep the unit running smoothly… and some just keep the peace (and keep you from being side-eyed at the next holiday potluck).
Here’s my non-exhaustive list of unofficial nursing rules:
🍲 1. Don’t bring something lame to the potluck
You know what I mean. No single bag of chips still in the grocery sack. Potlucks are sacred in nurse culture so bring something you’d actually want to eat after a 12-hour shift. Bonus points if it has cheese or chocolate.
💧 2. Don’t let your drips run dry for the next shift
Before clocking out, make sure patients have enough fluids to last awhile, especially in the ICU or for those who could crash if their drips run dry. Keep an eye on those pumps before you clock out.
🆘 3. If you’re caught up, check on others before taking a break
We all have those shifts where the stars align and you’re miraculously caught up. If that happens, see if someone else is drowning before you head to the break room. I’m sure you would want someone to do that for you!
🫣 4. Messy job? Handle the business end
Need help cleaning up something particularly unpleasant? You take the end that… well… requires the most bravery. (I think you get the picture here.)
🚶♀️ 5. Don’t disappear from the unit without telling anyone
We’ve all had that “Where’s so-and-so?!” moment. Even if you’re just running to the bathroom or grabbing supplies, let someone know!
📱 6. Don’t constantly kick it at the nurse’s station on your phone
It’s just not a great look. Constantly scrolling at the desk while others are running around is a quick way to earn the wrong kind of reputation.
Wish Your 12-Hour Shift Had A Map?👇
This course helps you turn a messy 12-hour acute care shift into a clear, structured rhythm. You’ll learn how to organize your day after report, prioritize when everything feels urgent, recover when something throws you off track, and give a stronger end-of-shift handoff. No fluff, no vague advice. Just a repeatable system you can use shift after shift. Designed specifically for med-surg, stepdown, and ICU nurses who are tired of feeling behind. No fluff. Just practical training you can use on your very next shift.
See What’s Inside Shift OS →
💬 Want more of these?
If you want to hear me and a few other experienced nurses share even more of these unspoken rules (and laugh through some stories), check out the FreshRN Podcast episode: The Unwritten Rules of Nursing.
🎧 You can also listen or watch on Youtube below ⬇️
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