You’ve been accepted to nursing school and are on your way to earning a BS in Nursing – congratulations! Now that you’re about to become a nurse, there are some phrases you should familiarize yourself with before coming to the University of Colorado College of Nursing at Anschutz Medical Campus.
1. Wash Your Hands
Rule #1 of being a nurse! Always wash your hands when entering a patient’s room and practice good hygiene. You don’t want dirty hands that could harm a patient (or get your colleague sick) and vice versa. As a nurse, you’ll also be handling medications and medical equipment, which need to stay clean for patient safety.
2. Assess the Patient
This is the first step in what’s called the nursing process. The nursing process is a patient-centered approach ensuring high-quality care. Assessing the patient includes gathering information about a patient. This could be asking questions about the patient’s health history, observing and examining the patient, reviewing their medical records, and taking data from the patient (pain levels, symptoms, etc.).
3. Be Kind
Treat everyone you meet – whether it’s in class, clinicals, a hospital, or in life – with respect. Being kind is essential in providing compassionate care, whether it’s working with patients, talking to their families, or working with fellow nurses.
4. Nursing is Caring
Follow Dr. Jean Watson’s (a CU Nursing Living Legend) nursing practice framework called The Theory of Human Caring. The Theory of Human Caring focuses on human connection, preserving a patient’s dignity, and creating a healing environment.
5. Allow Space to Learn
You’re not going to know everything the moment you step onto campus, and that’s okay! You’re starting to learn what it takes to become a nurse, and you’ll be learning a lot of new information. Keep an open mind and allow yourself to grow with the new knowledge you’re learning. Use every class, study session, or clinical as a learning experience so you can take away the good (and the bad) from every situation. Learning never stops once you earn your degree – stay curious and stay up to date with evolving nursing trends and techniques.
6. Clinical Practice Takes Practice
It takes time and practice to understand nursing skills and techniques. CU Nursing requires a certain number of clinical hours and different clinical rotations, allowing you to feel comfortable with your nursing skills. You’re also paired with a preceptor, a nurse who will guide you and answer questions. You’ll also have a chance to practice scenarios in our simulation lab, allowing you to practice nursing skills before you see patients.
7. Take Care of Yourself
As a nursing student (and a nurse), it’s critical to set aside time for yourself. School and work can be stressful, and everyone needs an outlet to take their mind off things. Schedule time to see family or friends, go outside, read, or watch TV. CU Nursing has this helpful article called Mental Health Matters about ways to de-stress and self-care tips.
