Experienced Nurses Share Advice for New Grads (Podcast)

More than 227,000 new nurses entered the U.S. workforce last year, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. As a growing number of graduates embark on their careers this summer, Cleveland Clinic nurse educators reflect on their own professional milestones and provide compassionate advice for navigating the healthcare field.

"Your first year as a nurse isn't about having all the answers — it's about building the confidence to keep asking questions, learning from those around you and growing with every shift," says Carol Pehotsky, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CPAN, Executive Director, Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Surgical Services for Cleveland Clinic and Senior Director of Surgical Nursing at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus. "I encourage new caregivers to remember the compassion and purpose that inspired them to enter this profession, because those qualities will prove to be just as important as their clinical knowledge. My advice is to trust yourself, lean on your team and remember that every experience is helping shape the nurse you're becoming."

In this special episode of Nurse Essentials, podcast host Pehotsky and other accomplished nurse leaders describe the things they wish they'd known early in their careers. Their advice offers reassurance for new nurses and highlights habits that can support long-term professional growth.

Click the podcast player above to listen to the episode now, or read on for a short, edited excerpt. Check out more Nurse Essentials episodes at my.clevelandclinic.org/podcasts/nurse-essentials or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast excerpt

Pehotsky: In preparing for this episode, I reflected on my own career and what I wish I'd known in my first year as a nurse. About 10 years ago, I had a really fabulous opportunity to be the commencement speaker at a nursing school graduation. I'd like to share some of my words with you today. I'm struck by how true they still are for me, and I hope you feel the same way.

"As you leave the familiarity of school and transition to a career as a nurse, I would like you to consider three thoughts: Take care of your patients, take care of each other, and take care of yourselves."

Audience, if you've listened until the end of our previous Nurse Essentials episodes, you know I say that same thing every time: Many of our patients are very sick. They're scared. They feel helpless and alone, even when surrounded by supportive loved ones.

They need us as nurses to meet them where they are, to advocate for them — not just with our knowledge, but with empathy, compassion and respect. No matter who you are and where you're listening from, we all have one thing in common. At some point in our lives, we will be the patient — or someone we value most in this world will be the patient. Remember that...through the rest of your career.

The call lights are all going to be ringing. You'll be trying to find five minutes to organize your thoughts and prioritize what needs to happen next. Your back might be aching...your feet might be tired...you're hungry...you're dehydrated. Maybe the tears are flowing, and they might even be yours. Just remember that patients are counting on us to be their advocate. And no matter what type of nursing you pursue — no matter what specialty — these things will happen, and they will happen often.

But when they do, remember this: Our patients often give us gifts they don't necessarily want to give. It's a period of time, anywhere from a few minutes to days or months, when they're very much dependent upon us. They're counting on us to be their eyes, their ears, their advocate. Honor that gift, and treat it with care and respect. What kind of nurse will you want when you or your loved one is in need of care?