<p>There are a lot of things that you will encounter as a first year Registered Nurse that you haven’t done as a trainee. Take administering intravenous injections, for instance. Mustering up the confidence in front of a patient when you’ve only done it previously under the strict supervision of your superiors is a nerve-wracking event! That being said, help yourself to thrive throughout your first year as a professional with these tips!</p>
<h2>Tip no. 1: Get plenty of sleep</h2>
<p>Most people discount the importance of a good night’s sleep when it comes to improving the quality of your day. Your mood is great from the get go, you’re clear-headed, and you won’t suffer from the lack of focus that sleep-deprivation causes. Take care of yourself first, so you can take care of your patients better.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_124923512-1.jpg" alt="First Year Registered Nurse" class="wp-image-10516" title="First Year Registered Nurse" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_124923512-1.jpg 1000w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_124923512-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_124923512-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>
<h2>Tip no. 2: Befriend your co-workers</h2>
<p>They’ve been around the block, they have seen things and know stuff that you can only encounter in the wild, I mean in the wards. Don’t be afraid to mine their experience and ask questions. You can’t discount how good camaraderie saves a horrendous shift when you experience loss for the first time. Being friends with your co-workers will also give you a reason to go on when you feel that you want to give it all up.</p>
<h2>Tip no. 3: Leave it all at the hospital</h2>
<p>I had a friend who would replay the events of her shift over and over when she went home, causing her to second-guess her actions which affected both her sleep and her appetite. She did not last the first year as a registered nurse. Your shift is already stressful enough – leave it all behind and enjoy the rest of your day. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_558725626-1.jpg" alt="First Year Registered Nurse" class="wp-image-10518" title="First Year Registered Nurse" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_558725626-1.jpg 1000w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_558725626-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_558725626-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Stop wondering if you’ve read the chart correctly right when you’re going to bed.</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Tip no. 4: Aim for a work-life balance</h2>
<p>Don’t sniff and laugh under your breath. It is possible. My Aunt (who’s now retired) managed to play tennis, stan Steffi Graf, go on vacations, and enjoy life whilst doing full-time shifts at the hospital. She’s still close with her co-nurses in Boronia Ward in NSW, Australia and that was part of her secret. Her colleagues were also her friends and they all enjoyed going out after their shift.</p>
<h2>Tip no. 5: Look straight ahead and achieve your goal</h2>
<p>What was your career goal and why did you become a nurse? For most of us in third-world countries, it is our ticket to getting a job abroad. Some of us just want to help others, while some just love the profession. Whatever it is that you set out to do when you became a trainee nurse, set that front and center whenever things on the ward get tough. </p>
<p class="has-small-font-size">The International Council of Nurses has announced that the theme for International Nurses Day 2020 is <strong>Nursing the World to Health</strong>, and it focuses on the true value of nurses to the world. For more healthcare professional tips, read our <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blog</a>.</p>
<h4>If you have not yet signed up to <a target="_blank" href="http://trueprofile.io/" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrueProfile.io</a>, sign up now! </h4>
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