Becoming a nurse starts from the moment it’s a thought in your mind right up until you complete your degree. Once you’ve donned your graduation gown and waved goodbye to that one textbook that gave you grief, it’s time to start working in the real world.

But for nurses who have worked in the industry for a while, there are often lessons or pieces of advice they wish they were aware of before starting. We spoke to four nurses about things they wish someone had told them before they began their nursing journey and scoured the internet for some more advice.

Let’s hear it from the nurses

Everyone’s nursing journey looks a little different. Some immediately feel at home, while others are sometimes left questioning if they’re in the right career. We spoke to some nurses, and here is what they had to say.

· “I wish I knew it was okay to look after myself too. When I first started nursing, I became so obsessed with working to better the lives of others without paying attention to my needs. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and the best thing I did for myself, and my patients, was to take time to enjoy things that made me happy it made a world of difference, and my patients noticed a much happier, more positive change.” - @midwifezoe

· “LOOK AFTER YOUR BACK! Raise the bed, pull up a stool, and get comfy, ESPECIALLY when you’re taking bloods or cannulating - it may take that extra 10 minutes, but chronic back pain is... well, chronic. I always thought, hey, I’m young. I’m a dancer - I’ll be fine. I won’t get a sore back. I WAS WRONG. And now I’m paying for it. So be kind,back yourself before backing others.” - @thatnursehannah

· “I wish I had been told about all the wide options that nursing offers. I wish I had been told that I could craft a meaningful career that changed as I changed and that I wasn’t stuck at the bedside if I didn’t enjoy that type of nursing.” - @autonomic_nurse

· “I would have loved to be told more that you do not need to know everything. You never will know everything. There is ALWAYS something new to learn. Any nurse that claims to “know it all” is a dangerous nurse.” - @the.healthynurse

· “Apply for jobs you’re interested in. Even if you think you’re not “qualified”, I have personally done this and have benefited from always, always applying. You never know unless you try!” - @the.healthynurse

· “There’s lots of talk about burnout these days. But it really is so important to know the signs and to know what works for you to prevent it.” - @the.healthynurse

· “The most important thing I’ve found is getting your sleep routine under control. When you’re not sleeping properly, everything else in life is more difficult.” - @the.healthynurse

Other things to keep in mind

Now that you’ve heard first-hand from those working on the frontline, here are some of our tips on things to keep in mind when you choose to become a nurse.

You’re not just a nurse

When you work as a nurse, you take on a lot of other roles – roles you didn’t intentionally sign up for. These include a patient advocate, waitress, housekeeper, technology expert, and mediator between families, doctors, and patients. Sometimes you’re all these things for just one patient! Signing up to work on the frontline isn’t an easy task – you’ll be faced with all sorts of tasks that no textbook prepared you for – but if you know what you’re in for, it won’t come as too much of a shock when you’re expected to know how to fix the tv in someone’s room or serve someone their dinner!

You’ll never be prepared

Nursing sees you dealing with illness, and with illness sometimes comes death. No matter how many deaths you see, you’ll never get over dealing with someone who is dying or has already passed. Everyone deals with death differently, so ensure you have someone on your side who you can talk to when things are difficult.

You WILL make mistakes

You’re only human – and because you’re only human, you’ll make mistakes. Mistakes aren’t always a bad thing. They provide learning opportunities to ensure you don’t make them again. Be prepared to ask a lot of questions – even ones that you think are silly. Learning to rectify your mistake will make you a better nurse.

You’ll become a walking, talking advice giver

When you become a nurse, everyone automatically assumes you know everything. Your mum will call you about that strange rash she saw on her arm the other day, and your friends will often expect you to take care of everyone on those drunken nights out. Be prepared to be inundated with texts asking for nursing advice!

Make sure this is a career you want

Nursing is often a very underappreciated job. You’ll more than likely develop a love-hate relationship with the job and its hours, conditions and staff, who will come to feel like family. Sometimes you’ll leave work in tears after an especially tough day, while others, you’ll be grinning from ear to ear, knowing you made a difference in someone’s life. When the tough days come, remember the good times you’ve had to help get you through.

Invest in comfy shoes and scrubs

Nursing is a surprisingly physical job. You’re constantly on your feet and exerting yourself physically by lifting patients, helping to move them around and much more. You need to invest in good-quality shoes and scrubs to ensure you’re comfortable throughout your shift. The Biz Care range of scrubs is designed with comfort as the top priority. They are designed to move with you and wick sweat and moisture from your body.

A career as a nurse comes with many challenges and triumphs. There are days where you won’t be able to stop smiling and others where you’ll burst into tears. Make sure you do your research before becoming a nurse, as it isn’t an easy job. If you’re on your way to becoming a nurse, head to your closest Biz Care stockist today to grab your new (or first!) set of scrubs.