Confidence doesn’t come from suddenly knowing everything. Sometimes it comes from simply getting involved. Ask for help when you need it. Watch how experienced nurses handle situations you haven’t seen before. And when someone else needs a hand and you can jump in — do it. Every patient, e

Being nervous as a new nurse is normal. Honestly, I’d be more concerned if you weren’t. You are not expected to know everything. But when patient safety may be involved, guessing isn’t acceptable. I would much rather answer ten questions than find out later that you were afraid to ask one.

Before Your Next Shift actually started with my daughter, Ava. 🩺 She’s a nursing student who already works on my unit as a unit clerk and patient care tech. Watching her move closer to becoming a nurse made me think about everything I wish newer nurses could hear before walking into their next s

Before Your Next Shift started long before it had a name. 🩺 Years ago, before walking into a 12-hour ICU shift, I started arriving about 15 minutes early and sitting quietly in my car. I used that time to clear my mind, mentally review my patients, set my intention, and prepare myself to be c

I’m 53 years old, I’ve been a nurse for decades, and I still get nervous before some shifts. Not because I don’t know what I’m doing—but because I know how much can change in 12 hours. Nerves don’t always mean you’re unprepared. Sometimes they mean you understand the responsibility and genuin

You know that feeling. Something is going sideways, you look up, and there’s a certain nurse walking into the room. And you immediately feel a little better. Not because they know everything. Because you know they’re going to help. Be that nurse for somebody else. You don’t have t

Calling a physician can feel intimidating, especially when you’re new. Preparation changes everything. Lead with why you’re calling. Have the pertinent vital signs, labs, medications, and recent changes ready. Then paint a clear picture of what is happening and why you’re concerned. You don’t

You don’t have to know exactly what is wrong before asking for help. Look at your patient—not just the monitor. Compare what you’re seeing now with what you saw earlier. If something seems different, grab another nurse and ask them to take a look. Noticing a change is clinical judgment. Askin

Asking for help doesn’t mean you can’t handle the job. It means you understand that patient safety comes before pride. The strongest nurses aren’t the ones who carry everything alone. They’re the ones who recognize when they need another set of hands, another set of eyes, or a second opinion.

Before Your Next Shift started long before it had a name. 🩺 Years ago, on my drive to a 12-hour ICU shift in Washington, D.C., I started arriving about 15 minutes early and sitting in my car before walking inside. I used that time to clear my mind, mentally review my patients, set my intentio