Becoming a nurse is one of the most fulfilling things you can do. With every role, there are aspects you may underestimate or not consider. Sooner or later, you will need to learn the hard way to navigate these challenges.
Caring for something is perhaps the most noble thing anyone can do. However, if you want to become a nurse, you’ll be under no illusion that there’ll be hard days. Nursing is a fantastic career, but it can also come with some unexpected challenges.
Experienced nurses will know these challenges all too well. However, if you are interested in your first nursing job, it’s a great idea to know what to expect. This will allow you to anticipate potential obstacles so you can better cope when they arise.
Time Isn’t Your Friend
With patients, medication and documentation, there are many things to handle as a nurse. At the start, you may think you have a handle on how to manage all your tasks. However, you will quickly find out how quickly your best laid plans can get thrown out.
The day will always throw curveballs, such as the condition of a patient changing suddenly or perhaps a lab result coming back unexpectedly. Procedures such as administering contrast for a CT scan can end up taking more time than you planned for.
Trying to cope with the lack of time will always be improved with experience. This included prioritising things that need immediate attention above those tasks that can be saved for later. At the start, the chaotic shifts may be more common than the smooth ones, but that will change over time.
There is also the desire to impress when you are new on a job. You want to do as much as possible to show you are capable and competent. One of the hardest things to accept as a nurse is that you can’t do everything at once.
The Paperwork Never Ends
Paperwork can be a frustrating part of nursing. It’s vital to ensure everything is documented for patient safety, but it can feel like you spend more time filling out paperwork than caring for patients. It’s a part of the job that simply needs to be accepted.
Sensitive procedures, such as radiology prep for MRI scans or X-rays, need accurate patient charts. Missing information can have severe consequences. It can be hard to accept that meticulous documentation is required, but it’s vital for both patient safety and accountability.
You may make mistakes at first, but it’s important to own up and correct them at the earliest opportunity. Over time, it will become second nature, and you’ll develop better systems to cope and organise your workflow.
You Can’t Control Everything
As a nurse, you may feel the outcome of a patient is entirely in your hands. In reality, care for a patient is always going to be a combined effort. If something goes wrong, it can feel like you’ve lost control of the situation.
Even if you are the greatest nurse in the world, things will always go wrong at some point. All you need to focus on in the moment is doing your job as well as it can be done. Becoming flustered or doubting yourself won’t serve a patient well.
You’ll also quickly see the value of interdisciplinary communication and your place within it. For example, if a patient needs to be prepped for an urgent CT scan, different departments need to communicate this without any delays. Over time, you will not only learn how to ask for help, but also demand better communication from others.
The Emotional Weight Is Real
This is a lesson any new nurse will be told, but experiencing it is a different thing entirely. You’ll encounter human beings, both patients and families, at one of the worst moments in their lives. The weight of their pain and vulnerability will be overwhelming.
Even cases that may seem simple can be emotionally taxing. For example, a patient may go for imaging for a suspected tumour. Even if there is a low possibility, they will be scared. Nurses can be a huge emotional support at such times.
There is more support than ever for medical professionals dealing with the weight of their jobs. Using such support should never be seen as a sign of weakness. Instead, it should be seen as a means to keep a clear head for your daily tasks.
Experience Is Everything
You probably have everything it takes to be a fantastic nurse. However, there will never be any substitute for experience. Patients are unpredictable, the emotion becomes real and situations become nuanced.
With every passing shift, you’ll learn how to do your job a little better. Whether that is giving the right emotional support or checking post-procedure vitals, it gets easier with time. Nursing is one of the most revered and rewarding professions in the world. Having a better understanding of the challenges will allow you to grow into the job more quickly while you build your experience.
Disclaimer
The content provided in Lessons Every New Nurse Learns the Hard Way by Open MedScience is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional training, medical advice, or institutional policies. Nursing practices vary depending on country, healthcare setting, and regulatory requirements. Readers should always follow the guidance of their employers, professional bodies, and relevant healthcare authorities. Open MedScience accepts no responsibility for any outcomes resulting from the use of the information contained in this article.
