10 Words of Wisdom for New Nurses

1. You will not kill anybody.

Unless you do something spectacularly idiotic, which is very, very, very rare, you will not kill anyone. You have people looking out for you—this is true throughout your nursing career—and every action you’re expected to take has gone through a number of people more experienced than you.

2. Remember the First Rule of Nursing: If you have to jack with it, it’s wrong.

That one little rule will save you every time. Hospital and clinic work has been streamlined and perfected over the years so that it’s practically tired-new-nurse proof. Therefore, if you find yourself having to improvise or make things up to get something done, take a good look at what you’re doing. The likelihood is that you’re either doing the right thing wrong or the wrong thing altogether.