Open letter to the soon-to-be "not new" nurses

Dear New Nurses,

Can you believe you've been signing your name with RN behind it for nearly a year? We can't either. It's always nice to have new people on the unit.

Don't forget...

Speed will come. It gets even faster as you go along.
You will still learn something new every day. That's why K., the charge nurse, who's been here 30+ years is still here. Never a dull moment.
Your new ideas are still new and fresh. Keep learning and don't forget to share what you know.

Just remember...

This is work. Not an after-school gathering at a watering hole as some people seem to make it. Yes, work is a four letter word. Not a bad one, just happens to have four letters. Work never killed anyone.

Help is also a four letter word. Don't be shy. Ask people if you can help them when you're free (which, incidentally is also four letters). Feel free to do stuff people like, but don't always have time to do--stock supplies, get iced water, empty urinals and report the results.

Don't be a slug. We already have one (two, three...) already. That job is already taken, and will not endear you to management. It may not get you much at all, outside of acquiring a bad habit and an eventual pink slip.

Dream and dream big. Make your plans and go for them, be it climbing mountains, climbing the stairs, or even going into management. This may mean more work and/or school or liberal combinations of both, but don't rely on your youthful looks forever. 

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” Greg Anderson

I'm glad you're here to do it with us.

Sincerely,

RehabRN

Welcome to my little blog!

Howdy all!

I'm a recent graduate of a large private institution in the Midwest. My other blog described my trek through an accelerated nursing program, but since I'm no longer a student, I thought it would be better, to start fresh in a new blog.

I hope you'll enjoy this adventure along with me.