Transitioning to a registered nurse after being a student nurse may be more of a challenge than you expect at first. Nursing is both a demanding and rewarding profession that comes with a unique set of new and complex challenges. The good news is that there are plenty of resources available to help nurses meet these challenges and succeed in their career.
One of the biggest challenges nurses face is the increasing demand for their services. With the population aging, more people require nursing care. In addition, nurses must be able to deal with the emotionally demanding nature of their job. They often see patients at their most vulnerable moments and must be able to provide comfort and support.
Every day after work, you may worry about patients and wonder if you missed anything or did everything correctly. However, as you become confident in patient care, these worries will subside. Continuing education opportunities can help you stay up to date on the latest advancements and be more confident in your work.
How can advancing your nursing education help?
There’s a lot to learn as a nurse, and you may be wondering how you can keep your skills current. Between work and family obligations, it can be difficult to find time to continue your education. However, if you take advantage of continuing education classes and seminars in nursing, you can quickly fill in the gaps and keep your knowledge up to date so that you can be as effective as possible.
Education is the single biggest advancement nurses can seek as it gives them a leg up when trying to advance their careers. Studying in one of the online accelerated BSN programs provided by institutes like Rockhurst University offers an opportunity for aspiring nurses to complete their degrees in as little as 16 months. The online format allows students to complete all of their coursework at their own pace and stick to their own schedule.
The curriculum for many online accelerated BSN programs is identical to that of on-campus programs, and students will be given the opportunity to participate in clinical experiences in their local community. Upon completion of these programs, students will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam to become registered nurses.
If you are interested in furthering your education and career in nursing, you should aim to obtain a master’s degree in nursing after completing a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree provides nurses with many advantages, including higher pay, increased responsibility, and better job prospects.
Tips for newly registered nurses
Nurses are responsible for providing care to patients in a variety of settings, and they must be able to manage their time, workload, and stress levels. To cope with these issues effectively as a newly qualified nurse, it is important that you adhere to the following tips.
Remain organized at all times
From the moment you leave for work until you return, it is important that you stay organized. There are many different things that could distract you during your shift, and it is essential that you focus on what is important. Your patients will likely need various treatments or procedures performed during your shift, such as dispensing medications or administering them via intravenous drips.
To avoid losing track of these tasks, it is essential that you have a well-organized record of everything related to patient care. This will allow you to fully concentrate on your job and do everything that is asked of you.
Always ask for help
There are many things that you could be doing that require assistance from your colleagues. An important part of your job is assessing each patient, and it is likely that you will need to ask for some assistance. However, you should not wait until the end of your shift to request help.
Instead, as soon as you are interested in something new or need advice, bring up the issue to your colleagues so that they can offer their assistance accordingly. That way, you can be assured that the care of your patients will be handled effectively and professionally.
Build a nursing network
Building a nursing network is essential when you are in the workplace as you could find yourself in a situation where you need to call on another nurse to perform an important function. Therefore, it is useful that you have someone you can trust and depend on for help during your shifts.
When searching for a person to assist you, it is important that you take into account their availability, reliability, and professionalism to ensure that the person assisting you in performing tasks will make your job easier and more efficient.
As you work in various locations, it will be important to develop a professional network. This can reduce the stress associated with not knowing what to do if an emergency arises, and it will help you to focus on what is important instead of feeling pressured or stressed.
Always treat patients with respect and courtesy
To build relationships with your patients, you must treat them as you would your own family and friends. This includes showing respect and being courteous at all times. As you provide treatment, it will be important to fully explain the process while keeping the patient informed of everything that is being done. This will give them a better understanding of what is happening, which can help them feel more at ease during the process.
Look for new opportunities to further your career
As you strive to further your career and gain experience, you should look for new opportunities that can help in your growth. These could be as simple as speaking at conferences, volunteering at nursing homes and hospitals, or opening a community health program. As you continue to improve your skills and knowledge, you will find yourself being sought out by other employers who are seeking highly-skilled nurses.
Always enjoy the moment
As a newly registered nurse, you may feel pressured to provide the best care possible. However, it is important that you don’t forget to enjoy yourself and focus on the present moment. If you are not enjoying your job, it will be difficult to provide quality care and treatment.
By taking steps to increase your enjoyment of nursing, such as enrolling in advanced education courses, you can improve the experience and reduce stress levels.
How to cope with challenges in nursing
Despite the challenges that are inherent to nursing, it remains a rewarding profession. Nurses who can learn how to manage these challenges and maintain a positive outlook can expect to develop both professionally and personally as they advance in their careers.
Many nurses can attest that despite the long hours, difficult patients, and demanding shifts, they feel they have made the right decision in becoming a nurse. Nurses often find working in healthcare to be extremely rewarding because of their ability to make a difference in people’s lives regularly.
Here are some tips that can help you work optimally as a nurse.
Put safety first
Nurses must always put their patients’ safety first and remain vigilant to their needs. The safe care that a nurse provides will help ensure their patient’s overall health; this also helps safeguard the nurse from any potential liability.
