First Year Nurse: Wisdom, Warnings, and What I Wish I'd Known My First 100 Days on the Job

by Barbara Arnoldussen

*Valuable advice and personal accounts from experienced nurses *Tips on subjects from time management to avoiding burnout

Genres: Nursing, Nonfiction, Medical

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Matthew Gatheringwater · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't what I was expecting. Instead of the first-hand account implied by the subtitle ("My First 100 Days on the Job"), it turned out to be a collection quotations from a number of anonymous nurses, offering (often conflicting) advice, gathered into themes by an editor. Each section of the book starts with some general advice from the author and a "dos and don'ts" list.

The anonymity of the quotes undermined the authority of the advice. How experienced are the nurses who were quoted? Why are their opinions authoritative? Are they at the top of their field? What kind of training have they had? The reader has no way of knowing. Also, some of the quotes referenced antique nursing equipment and practices; how old are these quotes, anyway? Information about the nurses and how their advice was obtained would make the book more informative and trustworthy.

Some of the Websites referenced in the book were helpful, but others were already dead links or out of date, which made me think this book would have really been better off as a Website or a blog. (This is the 2009 edition.)

I think First Year Nurse would make a nice present for a nursing student, but it isn't the first book I'd turn to for real-life guidance for new nurses.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10 - Not entirely sure how to review a book that’s 90% quotes 🤔 Lots of sound advice that I think would be beneficial for new nurses, but some of the points were questionable (like don’t cry when describing your side of the story during a confrontation, like this is something that can be helped). Another review said they would have liked more context about the people making the quotes, or how they were obtained, which I agree with. But I made a lot of highlights I’ll have a look back on before I start 😊

[Gaby Montes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot too offer. Almost too much. With quotes from nurses all around the country this book was a vast wealth of knowledge, comfort, encouragement, and insight. That being said, there was a lot of sections in this book that delve into feilds or sides of nursing that aren't seen in those first 100 days. To be honest the first four chapters were the ones that gave me what I needed. The rest...I can always go back to and read again once my career advances. For now though, those sections only served to stress me further. Other than that, this book has many wonderful, inspirational thoughts, tips, and pointers that would be great for any new nurse.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for any new nurse fresh out of nursing school! It provides many great tips through surviving your first nursing profession. I enjoyed reading all of the funny stories and little tidbits that experienced nurses provide in the book. What's nice is that there are nurses from all specialties, so you will get a wide array of comments and experiences from many types of nurses. I recommend this for any nurse (new or experienced) who might need a good laugh or a reminder of why they became a nurse. This would be a great gift for any graduating nursing student!

[Janine Alexandra Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, easy, light read!! I enjoyed the tips and website resources the book offered! While reading this book I amazoned a good quality nursing shear and I put on my "to buy" list a good stethoscope to invest in:)

It has good advice on the mindset I should have as a nurse whether it's towards doctors, technicians, mentors, or other fellow nurses:) I have already started drafting a thank you letter to my mentor because of this book:)

It also inspired me to make a nursing career goal list that I can update and revamp throughout my journey as a new grad and in my career!

[Dy-Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a book of anon quotes with outdated information.
It wasn't a bad read but I was hoping for more of a personal account of one nurse's new grad journey.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is basically: “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” for new nurses. Awesome! Comforting, informative, and fun!

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as a gift for graduating nursing school. Fun & insightful opinions from practicing nurses.

[Matthew Rabishaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a few quotes from nurses where I live so that was kinda cool.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It also has useful tips and advice for experienced nurses starting a new job or nursing role.

[Maddie Merath]

It's a very good book it's very interesting and gives me good info about being a nurse.

[Thais Maldonado · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wholesome read for a new grad nurse

[Jo Matey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight and practical do’s n don’s on daily issues for new health professionals. Will update my review after feedback from new RN daughter’s feedback.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who already works in a hospital but is just now starting school to become a nurse, this book really didn't teach me anything I didn't already know.

I felt like it was a nice thought of a book but doesn't get into all the nitty gritty of actual hospital life. I would have loved to see it dive deeper into the topics of burn out, workplace bullying, patient to staff verbal and physical assault, holding someone as they pass, and those moments where you literally say WTF is happening right now this person cannot be serious. I would have loved to see a more comprehensive guide to how to handle your work-life balance and overall mental health.

I would have also appreciated more practical tips too the only one I really can recall was about writing all the notes you took in report in one color ink and all the new things you learned in your shift in another. More practical stuff like that would have been great too.

[Gizzard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a free ebook from Kaplan. I'm not a nurse, won't be one, etc. But the subject is interesting and I'm interested in other's lives and careers. Not sure if the advice in this book would really be all that hepful though. I would NOT recommend that people buy it for the nurse in their life as it didn't seem to have much to it. 100 page of snippets of advice, would be better off as headers in a diary or journal than as a true advice book.

[Daria Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I'm at a point during the semester where I am doubting everything I've learned so far and my competence as a nurse, so reading these quotes helped me remember that I am capable of being a fantastic nurse and that I am not alone in feeling overwhelmed. It also helped me remember why I wanted to go into this profession to begin with. I look forward to reading this in the future because I know I will need the encouragement of these nurses again.

[Anastaciaknits · Rating 3 out of 5]

Instructive

I thought this book was going to be more of a narrative; instead it is a series of quotes from various sources grouped around a similar topic.

It is geared towards a beginner nurse starting her new job. I thought it was going to be stories about being a nurse, not instruction in how to be a nurse.

Why three stars? The book isn't what I thought it would be but is still well written. There are inspiring, knowledgeable quotes throughout.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems like it would be a nice book, but I can't seem to get through it because it's mostly snippets of quotes from nurses and lists of things to do, and there's not a lot of flow to it. But the advice is decent.

[Kerri Belgrave]

"Let your care be driven by your knowledge, softened by your compassion, and guided by your heart"

[Katelin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally just a book of quotes. I learned a few things, but some were also just basic fresh grad, first job kind of notes. But seriously how do you review a book of quotes?

[Cameron Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

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