You might think obtaining a healthcare degree is tough. You may often think that things will get better once you toss the graduation cap in the air during your education period. However, the first year at your nursing job is always the most challenging yet the most rewarding. You’re uncertain about most things even though you’ve spent a great amount of time studying all of them. Also, you realize that there is a lot more in healthcare than what’s taught. Bridging the gap between healthcare education and practice is all you’ll be doing in your first year as a nurse.
All of us are familiar with the pain of starting a new job. It will take every ounce of your will to step out of the car in the morning when you begin your shift. You’ll begin to question why you ever considered healthcare as a career when you could’ve just become a cashier at a gas station and have it way easier. You’ll be determined to take longer breaks than the designated time. Don’t go down that road. Your first year is pivotal in shaping the future of your healthcare career. Your executives and administrators judge you on your performance; therefore, it’s key to leave a good first impression.
To keep your head during your first year, remind yourself why you picked nursing as a career from a trillion other careers. Was it passion, monetary benefits, the scope of work, parents’ dream, or something else? If you’re here for career growth prospects and good salaries, you should consider an FNP degree. No matter what reason, you might have some questions about an MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Online. Is it that low-cost? Will I have a flexible schedule? Well, yes. Moreover, the Bureau of Labor Statistics regards FNPs as the 9th fastest-growing occupation in the US. Continue reading for some tips that’ll help you survive the first year in nursing.
1. Build Reliable Connections
There is more uncertainty in healthcare careers than we can state here. You’ll often be confused, stuck between making decisions, questioning yourself before ordering diagnostic testing, or vice versa. You’ll need reliable coworkers to help you through this difficult time. If you look for answers yourself, you’ll get left behind in the fast-paced hospital environment. It can have consequences for your patients and leave a very bad first impression of you on the board.
Therefore, it is highly recommended you approach coworkers to help you through difficult times. To do that, you must first have good ties with them. Be nice, confident, and if necessary, buy them coffee. Most importantly, observe a person before you list them down as your ally. Not everyone is thinking in your best interests. Watch out for the black sheep. There are some of them in every job you’ll ever do.
2. Observe And Listen
Even if you’re not being talked to, listening and observing will help you learn more. When you’re not doing anything else, accompany a coworker when they’re seeing a patient. You’ll be tempted to sit in the café and do nothing but going around learning new things is a better path to take. Observe how other nurses interact with patients.
Half of the patient’s health and progress is determined by how you connect with them and how reassuring but not overly so. Learn from your colleagues’ decisions and the route they take to reach that conclusion. Half of your job will include critical decision-making. Taking a lot of time with every decision will stagnate your career.
Besides observing your coworkers, listen to your patients. No one knows the situation better than the patient. If something doesn’t feel right to them, take the opportunity to investigate on your own to unravel new facts. Even if you don’t find something helpful, you can reassure the patient that you tried.
3. Take Time To Recharge
You won’t be of any help to your patients if you don’t help yourself first. Your job will be exhausting during the first year, especially because you’re not used to the hustle and bustle of healthcare. Take short breaks during your shifts. Not too many and not for too long. A good five minutes will work too.
Ensure you go away from the stress of your colleagues and patients. You don’t necessarily have to exit the hospital to do that; you might not even have time for that. Find a nice and quiet spot. Have coffee, listen to music, do breathing exercises, or read a book. Reflect on what needs to be done after your break. Don’t crave going home; you’ll find yourself counting minutes and seconds, and honestly, which will only slow downtime even more. Not taking out time for your well-being will only lead to burnout. Eventually, you’ll not perform up to the mark.
4. Try To Create A Healthy Work-Life Balance
Initially, your life will be too overwhelmed by your nursing job. You’ll feel like it’s all you do in a day, or it’s the only thing you ever think about. Taking out time for you, family or friends will seem like an impossibility.
However, it is important to balance your job and your personal life. Once your shift ends, de-link yourself from your job. Forget about it, or at least try to.
Time your days. It’s not necessary to make plans with friends and family. Too much social interaction can further exhaust you. Instead, make time for gym, yoga, or jogs. Ensure that you’re eating full and healthy meals. Never skip a meal.
Most importantly, try to get a full 8 hours of sleep. Keeping your circadian rhythm on track can sort out half of your life for you. You’ll wake up fresher in the morning and be more productive throughout your day. Always be well prepared for the day ahead.
The Bottom Line
The first year of your nursing job is always the most difficult one. It also happens to be the year that shapes your destiny in your nursing career. To get through this year without losing your mind, you must step out of your comfort zone and connect with reliable people who can help you during a time of need. Besides that, observe and listen more. It will only open doors to new knowledge for you. To avoid burnout, take a few minutes off and recharge. Finally, try to create a healthy work-life balance. Go to jogs, eat fuller meals, and go to bed on time.
