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College of Nursing Newsletter
Summer 2010
One Year and Counting
A new grad shares her advice
By Sherry Palmer (BSN ‘09)
As a student I was always counting down: 1 week until holidays, 3 exams left or, the ever-present, xx number of years left until I’m a “real” nurse. Now I count up. I have been a “real” nurse for almost 16 months and I still have so much to learn. However, I have learned a few things since I graduated.
1. No one person knows everything. If they think they do, beware!
2. Everyone forgets something. To help you remember very important things put systems in place that will help you modify your behaviour. I love lists. They work well for me!
3. Death is inevitable. This past week I lost 3 patients. One was expected by family, one was expected by us, but not family, and another was expected by no one. Dealing with loss of life is one of the hardest emotional issues I have had to face. Having the time to deal with your emotions and at the same time needing to go on to the next emergency is tough. I have found that a good way to deal with a situation like this is to take my next break by myself. This alone time gives me the space I need to deal with the thoughts in my head. Sometimes however, you can’t deal with these things by yourself and that is when it is good to ask one of your senior nurses, “What could I have done differently?”
4. Don’t be afraid of change. I am in the midst of leaving my ward to work in an Emergency department! Terrified? Yes. Excited? Extremely! I will be able to stretch my mind, will, emotions and body in ways I could never imagine. I know that there are nurses in jobs that they don’t like. Change your area of Nursing if you no longer remember why you’re there. Don’t be afraid to change departments, specialties, etc.
5. Nursing in medicine wards can be extremely rewarding. The rewards of medical nursing are the patients. Holding someone’s hand as they pass away or hugging a granddaughter who has just lost her granddad unexpectedly. My favourite memories are the little ones that visit. One little visitor said, “I think you are beautiful.” Five minutes later she said, “You must do your hair everyday ‘cuz it’s so pretty.” Her granddad died a few days later. I was uplifted by her compliments that came in the middle of a very long shift.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to ask for help and to be responded to in a professional manner no matter where I worked.
Sherry Palmer is looking forward to a bright future in Nursing
7. Get lots of rest. I found that when I first started working full time, I was always exhausted. I made sure that especially on my days off I got extra sleep. I decided that in my first year of nursing, events and friends would become secondary to getting a good foundation in my field.
8. It’s very important to treat yourself. Take a few hours when possible to do something that is fun and inspires you. Figure out what is important to you and do it. It has been a very rich and fulfilling first year of Nursing, and I have learned so much. I have a greater understanding of the depth of the ability of nurses to display “grace under fire”.