For many RNs, their first year of nursing is a rapid learning experience, transitioning from the structure of academic lessons to the fast pace of clinical settings. The good news is that no one expects you to know everything right out of school. But they do expect you to be proactive about growing your skills and take the initiative to be a well-rounded team player. We asked experienced RNs, nurse educators, and online forums for practical new grad nurse advice they wished they received in their first year. Use our guide to learn good documentation habits, ways to grow your clinical judgment, and ways to learn from mentors. Recently graduated from a nursing program? Find CNA, LPN, and RN jobs across Virginia’s hospitals.
12 New Grad Nurse Advice for First-Year RNs
- Do What You Can Well Instead of Trying to Do Everything
- Learn Where All of the Supplies Are
- Strive to Be a Team Player
- Document Everything in Real Time
- Practice What to Do In Emergencies and How to Call for Help
- Ask Questions When You Don’t Know
- Find a Mentor to Help You Learn
- Find Ways to Save Time While Staying Accountable
- Trust Your Instincts and Solve Problems Proactively
- Don’t Take Things Personally
- Set Boundaries and Invest in Self-Care
- Don’t Be Afraid of Doctors
1. Do What You Can Well Instead of Trying to Do Everything
When working in a hospital as a new nurse, tasks can seem endless, and it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly behind. But spreading yourself thin and rushing to complete tasks can lead to mistakes that compromise patient safety.
The goal is to strive for perfection but not to expect it.
Be realistic about what you can complete and keep a checklist to stay organized with your time. You might not get to everything on your checklist—priorities may shift or you might be pulled into other tasks—and that’s okay. Instead, complete the tasks you can do correctly and carefully. You’ll gain efficiency over time.
For tasks you can’t complete, communicate clearly with coworkers and delegate as needed. Go over what still needs to be done with the next nurse during the bedside shift report. If they ask you questions, respond with “I didn’t get that far” instead of, “I don’t know” to be accountable for your work.
2. Learn Where All of the Supplies Are
Knowing where all the supplies are in the hospital, including your unit and other units, is handy during emergencies and generally makes your shift easier. That may mean borrowing supplies from other units, too. To reduce stress in high-pressure situations, make a habit of keeping critical emergency supplies at the bedside. New grad nurses we spoke with said they were advised to keep these items on hand:
- Suction canisters
- Oxygen delivery devices (e.g., nasal cannulas, non-rebreather masks, etc.)
- Ambu bags
Staying prepared can make all the difference in a code or respiratory emergency.
3. Strive to Be a Team Player
Networking as a new grad nurse doesn’t start with the people you know but rather building your reputation as a competent and reliable RN.
“Your goal isn’t to be everyone’s friend,” one nurse commented. “It’s to be the one that people wouldn’t mind working with again.”
Successfully treating patients in a hospital setting requires strong teamwork. Focus on being kind to other RNs, doctors, medical technicians, and other staff. Offer to help techs reposition patients or answer call lights alongside them. Not only does it show initiative, but it’s also a great way to build assessment skills and earn trust. People remember who has their back, and nursing is much easier when you’re part of a supportive team.
4. Document Everything in Real Time
Learn to document everything accurately in real-time, from interactions with providers and medication administration to condition changes and interventions. Many experienced RNs prefer to chart at the bedside or take quick notes to update reports later. This helps avoid errors and missing information, making it easier to provide continuous patient care.
Real-time charting also encourages you to take ownership of your patient care decisions and protects you legally. If you’re documenting a concern, remember to include what you did to address it and notify the relevant people.
5. Practice What to Do in Emergencies and How to Call for Help
Knowing what to expect is key to reducing your fight-or-flight response and keeping calm during emergencies (an interview question you’ll often get when applying for new grad nurse jobs). The good news is the more you practice and prepare, the more confident you’ll feel!
First, learn what the different alarms and monitor sounds mean and understand how to assess what’s happening. What makes vitals go up or down? Who do I call for help? Have I completed the ABCs? During codes or rapid responses, even knowing where to find and how to use emergency equipment makes a difference.
Familiarize yourself with how to activate your hospital’s rapid response system and who responds. Run through mock scenarios in your head or with preceptors. The more you practice, the better you’ll be at staying calm and acting quickly in real situations. Emergencies are part of the job. Being prepared helps you protect your patients and yourself.
6. Ask Questions When You Don’t Know
Asking questions is one of the fastest ways to learn and helps keep your patients safe. No one expects you to know everything, but hospital staff expect you to be proactive about learning. Having said that, there are more professional ways to behave when asking questions. Follow these new grad nurse tips: •When possible, try to offer your thought process first and have an idea of what the answer could be. This helps develop your clinical reasoning.
- Take notes and review them regularly so you don’t have to ask the same question twice. People are more willing to help if you make an effort to retain what they share.
- Identify the right resources at the start of each shift, whether it’s an experienced RN or a healthcare administrator. Knowing who to ask to get the right answer is just as important as asking in the first place.
Asking questions doesn’t make you look weak—it shows you’re engaged and committed to safe patient care.
7. Find a Mentor to Help You Learn
Official or unofficial, working with a mentor is an effective way to learn on the job while laying the groundwork to advance your nursing career. The best nurse mentors are practical and invested in your growth.
Try working with different nurse preceptors and observe how they operate. Each nurse has a preferred approach to time management, prioritization, and communication. By studying multiple nursing styles, you can start to identify what works best for you. Remember, nursing isn’t one-size-fits-all, so stay flexible as you develop your workflow.
8. Find Ways to Save Time While Staying Accountable
Time management can feel impossible as a new nurse, but there are shortcuts that don’t sacrifice care. Even simple tweaks in your workflow can free up time and reduce stress. When talking to precepting RNs, we often hear these new grad nurse tips to increase efficiency:
- Do a five-minute full-body assessment right after receiving your report or early in your shift to check for fall risk, pain, and medication needs. The questions go by quickly and help you catch even small changes.
- Group similar tasks together by urgency, effort level, and location. This prevents time lost from task switching by keeping you in a flow state. You may find completing several easy tasks helps you build momentum or tackling larger challenges at the height of your energy is more effective.
- Coordinate with your fellow RNs and CNAs to delegate as needed. Hospitals run on teamwork, and you’re not expected to handle everything yourself. Knowing when to ask for help keeps the patient safe.
- Chart as you go in the patient’s room to save time and maintain accuracy. Good documentation habits will help you stay accountable and protect you from liability risks. It’s also the basis for measuring the effectiveness of ongoing patient care. Try adapting to existing reporting templates your peers use before searching for one that works for you.
9. Trust Your Instincts and Solve Problems Proactively
If you notice a change in your patient’s condition or something seems off, it’s your responsibility to advocate for the patient and raise the concern. It’s better to say something—even if it turns out to be nothing—than to stay silent and risk harm.
But being proactive doesn’t stop there. You need to take the initiative to address the problem, whether that means assessing the issue to find the root cause or working with an experienced RN to determine the next steps. Avoiding responsibility for the problem simply passes the issue to someone else and doesn’t help. Take ownership to grow your nursing skills.
10. Don’t Take Things Personally
Healthcare environments can be intense. Emotions run high, especially during stressful situations, and sometimes patients or coworkers may say things out of frustration. It’s important to remember that these moments are not about you. Don’t internalize every negative comment or raised voice.
Instead, focus on your role and what you can control. De-escalate when needed, and if something truly crosses the line, report it. But for everyday stress, try not to take it to heart. Your job is challenging, and you’re doing your best. Give yourself some grace.
11. Set Boundaries and Invest in Self-Care
A more fun yet equally important new grad nurse tip is to establish work-life boundaries to maintain your well-being. On the shift, that means tending to your basic needs such as taking breaks, eating properly, and going to the bathroom. Outside of work, it means investing in fulfilling activities like hobbies and personal relationships.
RNs in Virginia also have access to resources like SafeHaven, a program that offers confidential support for healthcare workers experiencing stress or burnout. SafeHaven connects healthcare professionals with dedicated mental health services, virtual peer coaching, and practical perks. The app reminds healthcare workers to make self-care a part of their routine, not an afterthought.
12. Don’t Be Afraid of Doctors
The doctor vs nurse culture is a persistent healthcare myth that harms workforce collaboration. The reality is that nurses and doctors are on the same team and share one main goal: to care for the patient. RNs look to physicians for medical expertise while physicians rely on RNs to understand their patients and report on reactions to treatment.
Don’t be intimidated by doctors. Instead, leverage their knowledge while using your perspective to advocate for the patient and share critical observations. Structure your calls using the SBAR format: •Situation – Describe why you’re calling the physician. What is the patient’s current status? Why is the situation critical?
- Background – Include relevant context such as medical history, recent clinical updates, and notable vitals.
- Assessment – What do you think the problem is? If there are multiple possibilities, mention what you need to rule something out.
- Recommendation or Request – Suggest the next steps to correct the situation and include what you’d like the physician to do.
First-year RNs may rely on the charge nurse to call doctors, but with enough practice, your voice will get stronger.
Find New Grad Nurse Jobs at Virginia Hospitals
Your first nursing role will be full of growth, challenges, and learning opportunities. Our guide can help you navigate the initial onboarding hurdles, but ultimately, it’s up to you to grow your skills as an RN.
If you’re looking for a supportive team and a great place to start your nursing career, explore RN opportunities at hospitals across Virginia. Our frequently updated job board lists first-year RN jobs at reputable hospitals across the state. Find your home in healthcare!
