Things I wish I Knew Before Starting Nursing Part 2

 Things I wish I knew before embarking on my nursing career part 2

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Hey lovelies I am sorry that this post is a DAY late ..... oops , I assure you this will not happen again ! Be here every Monday for a new post <3

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Dress code : Nursing in Ireland is not like nursing in America bruh. I love how the nurses in America and other parts of the world get to pull in in the prettiest pink scrubs and that is NORMAL over there. In Ireland registered nurses typically wear a light blue tunic and dark trousers. My dream is to be a pink scrub wearing nurse, it will happen (Say Amen with me).

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Social Media : Social media policy in Irish hospitals is quite strict. I understand GDPR and professionalism etc BUT in such a digital age I think the social media policies in Irish hospitals could be reviewed while of course still ensuring patient , staff and workplace confidentiality. On the brightside this has forced me to think outside the box with nursing content and I am glad you guys are loving it. It is also one of the reasons I started this blog , to give you all a deeper insight into the world of a nurse ! 

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It is not like TV shows and movies : Medical TV shows are so over the top. They really be exaggerating the hospital setting. I remember in my Emergency Department placement back in second year I was expecting to see the craziest cases and patients and the resus room , fortunately for patients , this was not the case.

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Your baseline is tired : I do not remember the last time I was FULLY rested. Okay stretch but my point is 70% of the time I am so so exhausted , in fairness that could be my low iron levels , I better go book repeat bloods stat. Take your iron ladies ! Get your full 8 hours of sleep , exercise , drink your water, be intentional about your rest etc etc sure you know yourself.

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Weekends / Public Holidays/ STORMS ? What are those ? Before starting nursing I didn't really realise how my working days and hours would differ from my non healthcare friends working days and hours. Weekends and holidays are just ordinary days for ward nurses. While my friends are enjoying Easter / Christmas etc I am clocking IN ! Although I cannot deny it : The Sunday and Holiday premium pay definitely makes it all a bit more worth it. During the last storm we had in Ireland (Storm Eowyn) healthcare staff were literally sleeping in the hospital or in a nearby hotel so they could make it to work before the storm started…. And that's on patient centered care.

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Essential worker discounts : Did you know that you can avail of 50% of dominos pizza and 20% off Nandos and SO MUCH MORE , just because you work in healthcare? I am doing a series on my Instagram and Tiktok (@jennyfa_x) called “Essential Eats” and I am so excited to discover and share places that healthcare workers can avail of discounts. We deserve it , in fact go ahead and treat yourself RIGHT NOW ! 

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Signing Out ,

RGN to Be

Jennyfa x

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