You’ve already learned how to become a successful nurse

If you are in nursing school or newly graduated, you may feel overwhelmed with everything you have to learn to be a successful nurse. You may also be confused by the contradictory advice and behaviors of others. “Be professional” yet you see how nurses sometimes treat each other.

I know how you feel.

Even as a seasoned nurse and business owner, I sometimes question my decisions and advice others give me. One person says, “do this” yet another person says, “no. Don’t do that…do this!” Ugh. It’s a struggle sometimes to make good decisions and always do the right thing…especially when others don’t.

Good news! If you get overwhelmed about what to do or get confused by how to behave, just remember the words of Robert Fulgham.

10 Action Steps to Survive and Thrive Nursing School

I’ve been a nurse for more than 23 years yet I can remember almost every detail from nursing school (mental scars). Getting through my program was probably one of the most stressful and challenging periods of my life! The expectation of mastering a mountain of information, always being “tested” by your instructors, the constant worry that you’re going to make a mistake and the never-ending list of demands from your school – it’s a wonder that anyone graduates!

But we do. We somehow manage to survive.

Nursing school doesn’t have to leave you with mental scars. You and your classmates can do more than just survive school…you can thrive!!

Follow these steps for nursing school success:

Magnesium: Potassium’s Little Sister

Did you ever care for a patient with hypokalemia who despite multiple runs of KCl and countless mixes of Klor, the potassium level hardly moves? If so, check the patient’s magnesium level.

Why?

New Nurse Success Tip: Seeing patients beyond the bed

I recently took care of a 50-year-old woman who suffered a brain injury. The woman in the bed was almost bald, had a spastic left side, severe expressive aphasia, and was incontinent and unable to eat. Initially, I saw her as cognitively impaired, helpless, and requiring a lot of work on my part. 

But then I truly SAW her for who she really was.

Tips for Student and New Nurses: Developing your critical thinking skills

I am smart – I mean “book” smart. From my first nursing degree in an associate program to end of my doctoral program – I’ve never gotten a B in any class. However, when I was in my undergraduate program, I was so overcome with fear that I wouldn’t be a good nurse. 

Why? 

Because although I’m book smart, I have no common sense! Heck, even my Dad still calls me an airhead!

You see, to be a good nurse, you need both – smarts AND a dose of common sense. This common sense I talk about can be considered “critical thinking skills” and I had to work to develop mine.

Top 10 Quotes to Inspire Student Nurses

I recently finished a doctoral program. I had been in that program for 5 years!! I truly believe that when you enter into a program, that it’s a journey – not a destination. That you focus on how each class teaches you something you didn’t know before and how each class can change your practice if you look at it that way. But, if I’m being 100% honest, all I could think about during my last semester was finishing!! It sure felt good to be done – journey or no journey!!

If you’re in nursing school, I bet you can relate. You may even have a calendar that you cross off the days until graduation! I don’t know why it is but it seems like the last semester is the toughest. For me, I kept saying that I only survived though the grace of God and an amazing husband. Well, and my evening glass of wine if I got my work done!

New Nurse Success Tip: The best predictor of competence

In my business, I spend a lot of time helping organizations successfully onboard new nurses. From their first interview, first day of work, and clinical orientation to independent, competent professional nurse, the question is always the same - "How do we help new nurses become competent and independently care for patients?" 

As a new nurse, you may be asking yourself the same question. 

What determines new nurse competence?