Top tips for grad nurses
In the coming months, it’s so exciting to think of all the young and enthusiastic nurses about to hit our wards for their grad year. In light of this, I have decided to share my top 10 tips for grad nurses.
Receive Handover
Seems simple but note the wording. ‘Receive’ be alert, mentally present and focused during handover. Don’t just ‘listen’.
Include patients in the care
Take a minute to think about how you would like to be treated as a patient and then use that to guide your work each day. Don’t expect a patient to meet your schedule, make a schedule with them.
Use shift planner
I used a handwritten shift planner for all of my grad year. I wrote my patients across the top, times down the side and filled it with the care required for each patient. I loved being able to tick things off as I went and it helped me to not forget important tasks.
Read up on things you don't know about it
If you come across a med that you do not know then please look it up. If you are caring for a patient who has a condition that you do not know, then please look it up. I have no issue with people looking things up. I have BIG issues with people pretending to know stuff.
Ask for help and offer
If you are losing control of a shift and feel like you are drowning then please ask for help. Ask your in charge, your NUM or the CNE. As above I have no problem with people asking for help. I have BIG problems with people who don’t ask for help and patient care suffers.
Reflect on shifts
This is something that I still do today. I reflect most days on what went well, what felt good, what felt clunky and note where I can improve. This one is NOT optional. You should be doing this every day, especially as a new grad.
Sleep
Simple. Prioritise it. Yes, the lure of Netflix is huge. Answer me this: will watching 2 hours of TV benefit you or will 2 hours extra sleep benefit you more? There is a time and a place for TV but this year I beg you- sleep!!
Get outside
I go outside for a quick walk most workdays. There are some exceptions to the rule. But I do make it a huge priority of mine to get outside and feel the breeze on my face once per shift. This small act of self-care will energise you. Promise.
Take your breaks
Be sure to take your tea break and your meal break. It can feel clunky and awkward to take them when others aren't, BUT missed breaks have been shown to decrease quality of care and increase nursing errors. Don’t be that person. Be the nurse who looks after themselves and provides stellar care.
Use formal support
I wish I had done more as a grad and into my first few years. I wish I had used more formal support from the hospital EAP to help me learn coping strategies to deal with what I saw and dealt with daily. There is no shame in using formalised support. Nurses who admit they need it have my utmost respect.
Do you know we have ‘The Autonomic Companion’?
This book is full of nursing work situations and provides advice and guidance on how to handle them. This is a perfect resource for a new nurse who could do with a little friend in their pocket to help navigate this year. Click here to learn more.