Nursing can be an extremely rewarding career. However, don’t expect an easy ride. Every workday will present its own set of challenges. Here are the eight things to know before starting a career in nursing.
Don’t underestimate the workload in school
Nursing school is a lot harder than many of your pre-nursing friends will make it seem. Don’t be surprised if you have to pull all-nighters or work through the weekend in order to get everything done.
It’s a lot harder than you think
Getting the grades and graduating from nursing school doesn’t mean that you’ll be an above-average nurse. You might find yourself struggling to pass NCLEX or ace your first year on the job after graduation. The workload is much different from anything you’ve faced in college before. Things will get better, though.
Find the right specialization for you
After graduating from school, try to find a good orientation program for new grad nurses. In some hospitals, new RNs have the opportunity to shadow several different kinds of nurses before finding a specialization that suits them best. This is also a good time to ask around and see what kind of nursing jobs are available in your area. You may find that you hate the night shift or long hours. Or, you may find yourself excelling at a new kind of nursing. It’s important to know where your interests lie so you can avoid being unhappy with your job and potentially making a change down the road.
You need the right footwear for you
There is a good chance that the first time you go to work as a nurse, your feet will be killing you. High heels are not the best choice of footwear for nurses. You should invest in a high-quality pair of running shoes or comfy sneakers. You can find whatever kind of shoe works best for your hospital’s dress code.
You don’t have to work in a hospital
There are about 3.8 million nurses in the US and less than half of them work in hospitals. The rest work for public health agencies, 24 hour home care providers, doctors’ offices and clinics, prisons, and schools, as well as nursing homes and assisted living centers.
Have a system for memorization
Nursing school will test you in so many ways, but one of the most common types of tests is multiple choice. You’ll want to develop a system for memorizing all those individual bones and muscles.
Learn to manage your time well
One of the most important qualities in a good nurse is the ability to manage time well. Patient care shouldn’t suffer due to you finding yourself swamped with work on your desk or running around from one side of the hospital to the other. Make sure that you schedule each night’s work before leaving for home so that, when bedtime rolls around, you won’t find yourself finishing up paperwork in your bedroom instead of resting.
There will be difficult days and rewarding days
Every workday is different. Some days you’ll look forward to going into the office while on other days it might feel impossible. Be patient with yourself and know that every challenging day brings a great feeling of accomplishment when it’s over.
