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Updated by Meagan Hollman on Mar 14, 2013
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10 Things You Can’t Learn at a Nursing College

You need to attend a nursing college in Utah to prepare you for your dream job, but there are some things you won’t be able to learn until you start your nursing career.

1

How to Keep Up with the Other Nurses.

How to Keep Up with the Other Nurses.

It’s good to ask questions and get help when you need it (in fact, you should), but keep in mind that the more experienced nurses are just as busy as you are and can’t hold your hand all day. You were well trained at a Utah nursing college; now it’s time to prove it.

2

Good Time Management.

Good Time Management.

You will be asked to carry out hundreds of tasks per day. You’ll have to learn on the job how much time to assign to each task in order to complete the day’s checklist.

3

How to Prioritize and Multitask.

How to Prioritize and Multitask.

You probably prioritized all of the homework you were given in Utah at the nursing college, but when you finally get into the field of nursing, your checklist will triple in size. You will be required to complete multiple requests from doctors, shift leaders and patients; you’ll need to learn which tasks are vital and need to be completed first.

4

How to Never Make a Mistake.

How to Never Make a Mistake.

It’s inevitable that you’ll make a mistake on the job, but you can’t beat yourself up over it. Document it, learn from it and don’t do it again.

5

How to Work With Demanding Doctors.

How to Work With Demanding Doctors.

Doctors are stressed out, sleep deprived people who endlessly rush from patient to patient. Forgive them for being a little brusque with you.

6

How to Handle Cranky Patients and Families.

How to Handle Cranky Patients and Families.

Back at the nursing college in Utah, you learned how to please professors. In nursing, you won’t always be able to please patients or their family members. You will be nagged about the health of loved ones and asked repeatedly whether you’re “doing enough” until you want to scream. Keep calm and carry on.

7

How Exhausted You Will Be.

How Exhausted You Will Be.

Sometimes your shift will last for 12 hours and you will be on your feet the entire time. Snack and potty breaks will be scarce. Your back will scream and your feet will feel like they’re going to bleed. You will be sleepy, hungry and cranky. You’ll wake up the next morning and do it all over again.

8

How to Deal with Death.

How to Deal with Death.

There isn’t a nursing college in Utah or any other state that can prepare you to deal with death. You will become attached to certain patients under your care, and when they pass away you may take it personally.

9

How to Comfort Yourself and Others.

How to Comfort Yourself and Others.

Comforting others is an art that can only be learned through experience.

10

How Much You Will Love Your Job.

How Much You Will Love Your Job.

Nursing is stressful. It’s hard. It’s emotional. But every time you see the health of a patient return, or receive a heartfelt thank-you from a patient’s family member, you won’t regret your career choice.