{"id":1099,"date":"2023-12-15T12:55:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T12:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=1099"},"modified":"2026-02-24T17:22:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T01:22:44","slug":"expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like","title":{"rendered":"Expectations vs. Reality: What being a nurse is really like"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like\/#1_My_Education_Is_Complete\" >1. My Education Is Complete<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like\/#2_I_Wont_Have_to_Do_the_%E2%80%9CGrunt%E2%80%9D_Work\" >2. I Won\u2019t Have to Do the \u201cGrunt\u201d Work<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like\/#3_A_Three-day_Workweek_Is_the_Best\" >3. A Three-day Workweek Is the Best<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like\/#4_Ill_Always_Work_%E2%80%9CBy_the_Book%E2%80%9D\" >4. I\u2019ll Always Work \u201cBy the Book\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like\/#5_I_Have_to_Work_for_At_Least_a_Year_in_Med-Surg\" >5. I Have to Work for At Least a Year in Med-Surg<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like\/#6_Ill_Only_Be_Asked_to_Work_my_Pre-scheduled_Shifts\" >6. I\u2019ll Only Be Asked to Work my Pre-scheduled Shifts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like\/#7_Providers_Are_Rude_or_Mean_to_Nurses\" >7. Providers Are Rude or Mean to Nurses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like\/#8_Everyone_Knows_Exactly_What_Nurses_Do\" >8. Everyone Knows Exactly What Nurses Do<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like\/#9_I_Have_to_Be_a_Nursing_Expert_Once_Orientation_Is_Over\" >9. I Have to Be a Nursing Expert Once Orientation Is Over<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like\/#10_I_Have_to_Write_a_Formal_Care_Plan_for_Every_Patient\" >10. I Have to Write a Formal Care Plan for Every Patient<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/expectations-vs-reality-what-being-a-nurse-is-really-like\/#Authors\" >Authors<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Today on the Osmosis from Elsevier blog, we explore the realities of becoming a new RN, including debunking some persistent myths and sharing some helpful tips for what to expect throughout your nursing career.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A number of challenges and rewards come with working in the nursing profession. As a nursing student, you likely have some pre-existing beliefs about the field from television, movies, social media, experience in giving or receiving care, or even from well-meaning family members or friends. <strong>Let\u2019s demystify some common misconceptions surrounding nursing!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_My_Education_Is_Complete\"><\/span>1. My Education Is Complete<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following graduation, you may ask yourself, \u201cWhat more could there possibly be to learn?!\u201d Don\u2019t throw your computer and books in the fire just yet. There\u2019s so much more to learn as you begin your first nursing job!\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/ultimate-guide\/nclex-rn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The <strong>NCLEX-RN<\/strong><em>\u00ae<\/em><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 which is the exam nurses must take to obtain their <strong>registered nurse<\/strong> license \u2013 is designed to test whether a nursing program graduate is\u00a0<em>minimally\u00a0<\/em>competent to practice nursing safely. However, none of us go through nursing school just to be \u201c<strong><em>minimally\u00a0<\/em>competent<\/strong>.\u201d More likely, you want to be excellent and qualified nurses for your patients!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on your facility, there\u2019s typically a formal orientation period of several weeks or even a credentialed nurse residency program. And even after that,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/2023\/06\/26\/how-to-navigate-your-nursing-career-paths-progression-and-opportunities\"><strong>your education isn\u2019t done<\/strong><\/a>! It usually takes a few years in the same or similar job to move from beginner to competent, and 4-5 years to reach expert level. If you decide to change specialties, like moving from the cardiac ICU to an orthopedic unit, note that you won\u2019t completely start over, but there will be an adjustment period and more learning to look forward to.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_I_Wont_Have_to_Do_the_%E2%80%9CGrunt%E2%80%9D_Work\"><\/span>2. I Won\u2019t Have to Do the \u201cGrunt\u201d Work<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may think that since you\u2019re a <strong>registered nurse<\/strong> now, the nurse\u2019s aids and care techs will do all of the bathing, toileting, and patient turning. While this may generally be the case, there are a few things to keep in mind. Nurse\u2019s aids and care techs, sometimes called <strong>unlicensed assistive personnel or UAPs<\/strong>, are not always available. Not all units employ UAPs, and sometimes units may be short-staffed. Or there may just be 1-2 UAPs for an entire unit, so, at times, they\u2019ll be busy with other patients when you need them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note that in all cases, the nurse is ultimately responsible for patient care, even if some tasks were safely and appropriately delegated to a UAP. Additionally, performing these tasks rather than delegating them provides excellent opportunities to gather valuable information about your patient\u2019s strength, sensation, ability to perform\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Basic_care_needs_and_activities_of_daily_living\"><strong>activities of daily living (ADLs)<\/strong><\/a>, and skin integrity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_A_Three-day_Workweek_Is_the_Best\"><\/span>3. A Three-day Workweek Is the Best<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In many healthcare facilities, full-time nurses only work three days per week for 12-hour shifts, which you may have already experienced if you worked as a nursing assistant during nursing school. This schedule has its perks, but let\u2019s break it down a bit further. If you\u2019re working three days per week for 12-hour shifts, you likely arrive at the unit 15 minutes before your shift starts to receive a handoff report. Additionally, you may have a significant commute, shortening your \u201coff\u201d time. Some days, you\u2019ll need to stay late to complete your charting or wrap up care tasks. Pretty quickly, a 12-hour day can turn into a 14-hour day or longer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, keep in mind that 12-hour shifts tend to be\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/2020\/10\/14\/the-ultimate-guide-to-wellness-in-your-health-professional-program\"><strong>mentally and physically exhausting<\/strong><\/a>. Once you\u2019re home from work, you\u2019re probably not going to get much done other than eating a quick meal and sleeping, which means the chores of daily life, such as cooking, cleaning, and exercise, will likely need to be done on your non-working days. Last but not least, remember that most businesses are open during a traditional work day or work week (Monday-Friday, 8-5 PM), So if you\u2019re working weekdays, weekends, or nights, it can be difficult to make appointments or even socialize!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, while a <strong>three-day workweek<\/strong> <em>sounds <\/em>like a dream come true \u2013 and it definitely has its benefits \u2013 it\u2019s not always as amazing as it may appear to be at first glance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Ill_Always_Work_%E2%80%9CBy_the_Book%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>4. I\u2019ll Always Work \u201cBy the Book\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may be comfortable being a strict rule follower due to the nature of your nursing clinical hours, but some days, nurses live in a world of gray rather than black and white. Try to resist the feeling of shock and surprise when your clinical situations or patients don\u2019t always follow what your textbook says. For example, your patients may not always\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/nursing-student-resources\"><strong>react to medication<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0as you expect them to, or they might not always follow recommendations or instructions about diet or smoking cessation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, keep in mind that some of the nurses you work with might not always follow the rules either! For example, if a non-urgent medication was due at noon but your patient just fell asleep after a long sleepless night, it\u2019s likely fine to wait to administer it until they wake up. There may be special circumstances when it\u2019s better to allow family to stay past visiting hours. As you begin your work as a nurse, your <strong>clinical judgment<\/strong> will help you decide whether working \u201c<strong>by the book<\/strong>\u201d is completely necessary.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/rn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/learn-faster-and-retain-more-nursing-knowledge-banner.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1102\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/learn-faster-and-retain-more-nursing-knowledge-banner.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/learn-faster-and-retain-more-nursing-knowledge-banner.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_I_Have_to_Work_for_At_Least_a_Year_in_Med-Surg\"><\/span>5. I Have to Work for At Least a Year in Med-Surg<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your peers, former students, and teachers may recommend that you work in an acute care medical-surgical unit (known as <strong>Med-Surg<\/strong>) right after graduation. While <strong>Med-Surg<\/strong> is a great setting to learn a variety of skills such as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/events#time-management-2023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>time management<\/strong><\/a>, <strong>communication<\/strong>, and <strong>patient care<\/strong>, it\u2019s likely a dated misconception. In fact, there are so many settings to work in right out of school that you don&#8217;t have to plan to work in <strong>Med-Surg<\/strong> or even in a hospital at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/2021\/04\/12\/how-to-become-a-nurse--the-osmosis-ultimate-guide\"><strong>exploring your career options<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and interviewing for positions, be sure to ask about the facility&#8217;s orientation process. Some hospitals have a new graduate residency program that provides new graduate nurses with training, guidance, and mentorship. Some residency programs even allow new nurses to work on multiple units within the first year to see where they fit best. So, if you\u2019re interested in working in a specific area like pediatrics, community health, or research, you should go for it! After all, it\u2019s totally up to you where you work, and you should choose a job that will make you happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Ill_Only_Be_Asked_to_Work_my_Pre-scheduled_Shifts\"><\/span>6. I\u2019ll Only Be Asked to Work my Pre-scheduled Shifts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As mentioned earlier, your work schedule could be three shifts per week. However, many healthcare facilities are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or offer extended times such as evenings and weekends. Therefore, you may get messages from your manager or administrator asking you to come in early, stay late, or work on your days off. Your co-workers may also ask you to switch shifts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even though you\u2019re scheduled for a certain number of work hours per week, there are likely many chances to <strong>work overtime<\/strong>. And, while the opportunity for overtime is abundant and can be lucrative, make sure to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/osmosis-university.teachable.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>prioritize your mental and physical health<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and say no when you need to. On the other hand, you may also notice that there are days when your unit has a \u201c<strong>low census<\/strong>\u201d or too many nurses and not enough patients, so your manager may ask you to leave early or cancel a future shift.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Providers_Are_Rude_or_Mean_to_Nurses\"><\/span>7. Providers Are Rude or Mean to Nurses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may have heard horror stories about providers (doctors, nurse practitioners, or PAs) being mean and rude to nurses. (We\u2019re looking at you,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/woobox.com\/nkixhn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Gregory House, MD<\/strong><\/a>!) For example, some institutions used to require nurses to stand up and offer their chairs to physicians when they walked onto the unit. The good news is that, in most cases, this is an outdated practice. As healthcare has evolved and progressed, medicine has become a <strong>team sport<\/strong>. Providers (doctors, nurse practitioners, PAs, et al.) couldn\u2019t do their jobs without the vital work and support of nurses. Therefore, most providers are thankful and kind to nurses and value their input. Of course, no matter what profession you work in, there will always be some bad eggs. Do your best not to take it personally. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Everyone_Knows_Exactly_What_Nurses_Do\"><\/span>8. Everyone Knows Exactly What Nurses Do<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Going into nursing school, you may think that your family members, non-nurse friends, and even patients have a good idea of what nurses do. However, as you progress through school, you may notice some interesting misconceptions about the profession popping up. For example, some patients may be confused about the role of all of the care team members coming in and out of their room; some people think that all nurses do is change diapers or give out pills. Others may have a skewed perception based on television, movies, or social media.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This confusion about roles may also be the case if you go back to school to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/2021\/04\/12\/how-to-become-a-nurse--the-osmosis-ultimate-guide\"><strong>pursue a master&#8217;s degree or doctorate in nursing<\/strong><\/a>. Given the many entry points for nurses to enter the workforce (<strong>unlicensed assistive personnel<\/strong>, licensed practical nurse, diploma program, associate degree, or bachelor&#8217;s degree), those outside of the field may be ignorant of the critical role of a <strong>registered nurse<\/strong>. When you have the time and energy, it\u2019s important to educate individuals when you notice they have misconceptions about nursing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_I_Have_to_Be_a_Nursing_Expert_Once_Orientation_Is_Over\"><\/span>9. I Have to Be a Nursing Expert Once Orientation Is Over<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As your orientation period comes to an end, you may be anxious and scared of working independently, which is normal and expected. However, it\u2019s important to note that you\u2019re not expected to be a nursing expert. As mentioned earlier, nursing is a team sport, and you certainly can&#8217;t and won&#8217;t know everything there is to know about nursing after school is done (or even when orientation is over). You&#8217;ll learn\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/2023\/08\/14\/new-to-nursing-20-tips-for-early-career-nurses\"><strong>new things daily<\/strong><\/a>, and you\u2019ll need to ask your co-workers and team members to help you along the way (and also be prepared to help them).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, depending on where you work, you&#8217;ll have a policy and procedural manual to outline the steps you should take to perform certain skills that you\u2019re unfamiliar with. At the end of the day, it\u2019s better for <strong>patient safety<\/strong> for you to ask a question about something you don\u2019t know rather than assume and make a mistake. Even if it doesn\u2019t always seem so, every nurse has been in your shoes before and knows what it\u2019s like to be brand new.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_I_Have_to_Write_a_Formal_Care_Plan_for_Every_Patient\"><\/span>10. I Have to Write a Formal Care Plan for Every Patient<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One large part of clinical paperwork in school is writing up formal care plans, so you might wonder, \u201cWhere do care plans fit into my nursing workday?\u201d Although the experience of <strong>care planning<\/strong> will inform your patient care, you likely won&#8217;t be expected to create formal written care plans for each patient every day. More commonly, you&#8217;ll incorporate some <strong>care planning<\/strong> aspects while documenting in the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/2022\/12\/12\/the-anatomy-of-a-chart-how-to-read-and-interpret-an-ehr\"><strong>electronic health record (EHR)<\/strong><\/a>, but it may look very different than your clinical paperwork. Despite that, the skills you obtained from writing care plans (e.g., prioritization, organization, evaluation) will make you a better nurse and benefit you in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take note that the path to nursing is different for everyone, and each experience is unique. Some of these misconceptions may apply to you, and some may not, which is okay! Here at <strong>Osmosis from Elsevier<\/strong>, we\u2019re excited to help you navigate the path from nursing school to your nursing career. Contact us at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:support@osmosis.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>support@osmosis.org<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0with any questions or recommendations for ways our study tool can better fit your study needs. We\u2019re here to help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Authors\"><\/span>Authors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/paige-randall-695b86b7\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Paige Randall, MS, RN,<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/paige-randall-phd-ms-rn-cne-695b86b7\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> CEN, CNE<\/a>,<\/strong>&nbsp;Script Writer and Editor at Osmosis from Elsevier, has been a Registered Nurse for ten years with a clinical background in cardiac, emergency nursing, and nursing education. Paige is currently working on her PhD in nursing at Duke University. At Osmosis from Elsevier, Paige works as a scriptwriter and editor. She lives in Raleigh, NC, with her husband and their dog, Bocelli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/profile\/liz-lucas\"><strong>Elizabeth Lucas, EdD, RN, CNE,<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0has been an\u00a0RN\u00a0since 2008 and has an\u00a0Ed.D. with Emphasis in Nursing and Health Professions Education. Liz\u2019s clinical background is in oncology, and she later transitioned into nursing academia where she taught in a pre-licensure nursing program for several years. Liz feels passionate about building a strong nursing workforce through increasing education accessibility and believes in the role of technology in that pursuit. Liz currently lives near Baltimore, MD, with her husband, two sons, and dog.nd around the fire pit, roasting marshmallows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/login\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/become-the-best-nurse-banner.png?w=700\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1101\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/become-the-best-nurse-banner.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/become-the-best-nurse-banner.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Try\u00a0<strong>Osmosis from Elsevier<\/strong>\u00a0today! Get your\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/rn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free trial today<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and find out why millions of current and future\u00a0<strong>clinicians and caregivers love learning by Osmosis<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We&#8217;re debunking common myths and sharing practical tips on education, workload, mentorship, and professional growth to help new nurses thrive in today\u2019s demanding healthcare environment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":196,"featured_media":3022,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6,10,867,30,32],"tags":[2072,489,84,2833,1515,2831,2832,462,149,311],"class_list":["post-1099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career-advice","category-clinical-skills","category-lpn","category-np","category-nursing","tag-burnout-prevention","tag-clinical-reasoning","tag-medical-education","tag-new-nurse","tag-nursing-career","tag-nursing-myths","tag-orientation","tag-osmosis","tag-patient-care","tag-residency"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - 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Paige is currently working on her PhD in nursing at Duke University. At Osmosis from Elsevier, Paige works as a scriptwriter and editor. She lives in Raleigh, NC, with her husband and their dog, Bocelli. Elizabeth Lucas, EdD, RN, CNE, Senior Content Manager, has been a Registered Nurse since 2008. She received an Ed.D. with Emphasis in Nursing and Health Professions Education program from Bryan College of Health Sciences, an MSN in Nursing Education from Drexel University, and a BSN from Duquesne University. Liz\u2019s clinical background is in oncology and includes time spent working in a Medical Oncology Unit, a Critical Care Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, and a Hematology\/Oncology Clinic. Liz has experience writing questions for the Oncology Nursing Society, which helped her discover a love for nursing education and assessment. Later, Liz transitioned into nursing academia, where she taught in a pre-licensure nursing program for several years. 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