Coping With First Day Jitters in the Nursing Profession

It is like when actors are about to perform in front of a crowd. They get sweaty palm, butterfly in their stomachs and rapidly beating heart. These symptoms are what we know as nervousness. Many people experience this especially when they are embarking into the unknown. The same is true with the nursing profession; a nurse feels the same way. When it is your first time to start your nursing profession you will feel some apprehension and fear. The good news is that most of us feel this way when we start. The second good news is that we can find ways on how to overcome the first day jitters. Sleep early It would be useless to worry at something that has not happened yet. The best thing to do is get enough sleep so that you will feel well rested when you start you nursing profession. This will help you be alert and more optimistic on what is in store for you. Eat a Hearty Breakfast Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I understand that you may be too nervous to even take a bit of toast but it is important that you make sure that your stomach is not empty. Think that you will have many tasks ahead of you so you better have some nourishment that can keep you energized until lunch. Arrive Early and Be Prepared Get the feel of the environment you will work in so go there a bit early so you can observe first. Also, you need to be prepared and ready to do the tasks given to you. Being prepared can be easier for you and your new colleagues because it can save some time for them to attend to patients instead of teaching you. However, if there are things that you are not sure ask question or clarify. Smile This may seem like a lame advice but as they say you gain friends with just a smile. Remember that you and your colleagues are both feeling each other out. If you feel shy, they may also feel the same way. The great way to break the ice is to smile at them. Let them know that you are there to help them. They say that the first day of work is always the hardest. There are adjustments but once you get the groove of things then you can perform your job well.