So you’ve just started your new job as a new graduate nurse. You have a great preceptor, you like your unit, and your manager seems pretty cool. But you dread going to work. You get report and you’re already an hour behind. You’re already an overwhelmed nurse. There are so many things to do right this second that you shut down. You can’t do this. It’s too much. You struggle through each day, just trying to get to the end of the shift. You are elated for days off. You dread going back. Is this really what you signed up for? Will this EVER end?
New Nurse
The new nurse on the block has a lot to learn. Clinical skills, emotional intelligence, resilience, and communication are just scratching the surface. To thrive as a new nurse you have to constantly learn and evolve and take things with a grain of salt. But you don’t have to wander around the new nurse desert aimlessly, we’ll be your guide and ensure you get plenty of water and encouragement on your journey.
Ready to enjoy your time as a new nurse?
A nurse residency program guides your first year and helps you to deal with the emotional weight of being a new nurse. A self-guided holistic residency will help you feel confident sooner and love your nursing career, all while learning how to both live and work as a nurse.
Star the New Nurse Master Class: a Self-Guided Nurse Residency
How Hard Is It to Become a Nurse? (2022 Guide)
There are quite a few steps involved in actually getting your nursing license and working as a registered nurse. Let’s walk through the steps
How to Talk to Your Nurse Manager
If you’re a new nurse and not sure how to talk to your nurse manager, this post outlines some important considerations when approaching your new boss.
What’s the Difference Between CNA and RN?
What’s the difference between a CNA and RN? While there is some overlap with responsibilities, these roles are very different. Let’s go over the specifics!
Nephrology Nursing – A Day in the Life
Nephrology Nursing consists of dynamic, diverse, and holistic care that is both challenging and rewarding.
What is the Difference Between an LPN vs RN vs BSN
What is the difference between Lpn Vs Rn Vs Bsn? If you’re currently employed in a hospital or healthcare facility, consider getting your BSN.
Often Overlooked IV Tips For Nurses
No matter how much experience you have, IV insertion can be a challenge. Here are my top often overlooked IV tips for nurses.
What’s it Like to be a New Nurse
Wondering what it’s like to be a new nurse? Here are four helpful tips from an RN to help you navigate the new job
Healthy Eating For Nurses
Working 12 hour shifts can really it difficult to stay on track with health and wellness, but healthy eating for nurses is a critical component of overall wellness. A reader asked what I do to focus on healthy eating while working long shifts: I’m about to start my grad year and was just wondering- what do you usually take for meals? I […]
Discharge Planning Tips for New Nurses
Discharge planning can be a challenge for any nurse, let alone a new nurse. I’ve discharged many patients since I became a nurse in 2010 and would like to give you some discharge planning tips!
How to Trust Your Nursing Judgment
I’ve received a lot of questions from new nurses saying that one of their biggest struggles is when they’ve learned a lot but are having trouble learning how to trust your nursing judgment. You think you know what you’re doing, but you’re not sure…
35+ Nurse Hacks That Will Save Your Sanity
You’ve heard of Life Hacks? Well, here are 35+ clever nurse hacks that will save your sanity on those really long shifts. Nurse Hacks That Will Save Your Sanity I have some life-changing nurse hacks that you’ll definitely use. You might not use all of them, but I bet you’ll find at least one or […]
My First Bed Change
Read and laugh along with me – a nurse – as I share the very real story of my first bed change. We’ve all been there, it’s so relatable!
How To Master Nursing Delegation
This is so important! Nursing delegation frees up your mind so you can focus on the most important tasks first. Here’s how to master it.
Organization Tips for New Nurses
Feeling frazzled? These organization tips for nurses will help you maintain your sanity and stay in control.
I know how it feels when it seems like everything is spinning out of control. Life is moving on and you are just holding on, trying to keep up. And it happens to all of us, not just the new nurses!
Best Nursing Jobs for New Nurse Grads
What jobs should new nurses look for? What are the best nursing jobs for a new grad nurse? Knowing where you want to work is helpful, but all’s not lost if you don’t know. Please don’t think that if you don’t get your dream job right away that you’ve failed, that you will never work […]
Overcoming Anxiety – Top Tips for New Graduate Nurses
Beat the first year nurse anxiety. These top tips for new graduate nurses will help you learn how to become more confident.
The Hierarchy of Nursing
This post was updated on January 1, 2020 Traditional healthcare settings, including hospitals, operate under a hierarchy of nursing to define the structures of order and organization. Nurses are ranked according to levels of license and education, and by years of experience. This can be kind of confusing to the new nurse walking into the […]
Why We Freeze When a Patient Codes
I’ve heard so many people mention how they just freeze when a patient codes. Many look back with shame or embarrassment that they didn’t know what to do in an emergency… especially since they’re the nurse and should know what to do. I get it. I did that the first few times and was really […]
10 Unwritten Rules for Nurses
You won’t learn this in nursing school, but your life will be so much better once you read (and follow) this list. These 10 unwritten rules for nurses might seem like common sense, but someone had to say them.