The transition from nursing school to clinical practice is both exciting and challenging. As a new nurse, you're expected to juggle real-world demands, prioritize care, communicate effectively with patients and healthcare teams, and build professional confidence, all while delivering safe, compassionate care.
You may feel overwhelmed by the steep learning curve, shifting responsibilities, and the pressure of making sound clinical judgments. It's natural to feel unsure, but it's important to understand that growth comes through both success and failure.
Mistakes are part of the learning process, but being aware of common pitfalls can help you navigate them and grow into a competent, confident clinician. With proactive strategies and supportive mentorship, you can avoid many of the most common errors that new nurses face. This awareness helps foster resilience, supports personal and professional development, and contributes to better patient outcomes.
Whether it's improving communication, managing time effectively, or maintaining emotional health, each challenge presents a new opportunity to learn. To help make this learning curve a little shorter, let’s review 12 common mistakes new nurses make, plus some advice on how to avoid them.
Tips for New Nurses Guide
Download Now1. Not asking questions
The mistake
Hesitating to ask for help out of fear of seeming incompetent.
Why it matters
Nursing is complex, and no one expects you to know everything right away. Delaying a question can compromise patient safety and your own learning. In high-pressure clinical environments, small uncertainties can escalate quickly if not addressed. Many new nurses fear judgment, but silence can be more harmful than asking for help.
How to avoid it
Embrace the mindset that asking questions is responsible and necessary. It shows initiative and a desire to provide the best care possible. Develop a supportive relationship with your preceptor and identify team members who are approachable and willing to guide you.
Write down questions throughout your shift and review them with a mentor when appropriate. Use staff meetings or shift huddles to ask broader questions that benefit the whole team. Every question you ask not only adds to your knowledge base but also builds confidence and improves team communication.
2. Skipping double checks
The mistake
Failing to double-check medications, dosages, patient identification, or physician orders.
Why it matters
Medication errors can cause significant patient harm and have legal consequences. Even seemingly minor missteps, like administering a drug to the wrong patient or misreading a decimal point, can result in serious adverse events, prolonged hospital stays, or worse. These errors also place emotional and professional strain on the nurse involved and can undermine the trust of patients and families.
How to avoid it
Follow safety protocols consistently, regardless of how routine the task may seem. Use the five rights of medication administration (right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time) every single time. Leverage tools like barcode scanning systems and always verify verbal orders using read-back communication.
For high-risk medications such as insulin, anticoagulants, and opioids, or for processes like blood product administration, collaborate with another licensed nurse and have them double-check your work. Then document what you’ve done clearly and promptly. Lastly, you can help to cultivate a culture of safety by speaking up if something doesn’t seem right and encouraging your peers to do the same.
3. Poor time management
The mistake
Acting reactively instead of proactively during your shift.
Why it matters
Disorganization can lead to missed tasks, delayed care, and burnout. Without a structured approach, nurses may find themselves constantly responding to issues as they arise, rather than anticipating and preventing them. This reactive style contributes to stress, missed priorities, and can compromise patient safety. Consistent disorganization may also affect professional evaluations and lead to decreased confidence.
How to avoid it
Start your shift with a clear, actionable plan. Review your assignments thoroughly during report and take time to set priorities. Use brain sheets, planners, or digital tools to create a checklist of essential tasks for each patient. Schedule time-sensitive responsibilities first and leave buffer periods for unexpected needs.
Check in with your team periodically, especially your charge nurse, to realign when things get busy. Building in time to reassess allows you to adapt to patient changes and unit demands. Learning to anticipate and manage your time not only improves patient outcomes but also enhances your sense of control and satisfaction at work.
4. Trying to do everything alone
The mistake
Avoiding delegation or refusing help.
Why it matters
Nursing is a team effort. Refusing assistance leads to inefficiency and missed opportunities. New nurses sometimes fear being seen as incapable or lazy, so they take on too much. This not only increases the risk of errors but also creates unnecessary stress. When nurses try to manage every detail themselves, important priorities may be missed, and teamwork suffers.
How to avoid it
Learn what tasks you can delegate safely based on your scope of practice and facility policies. Develop trust with your colleagues, including CNAs, unit secretaries, and other support staff. Understand that effective delegation is not about avoiding work, it's about ensuring that patient care is delivered efficiently and by the right person.
Before delegating, assess the complexity of the task, the skills of the team member, and the patient’s condition. Communicate clearly when assigning tasks and always follow up. Delegating appropriately frees you up for clinical decision-making and assessments, helps build team morale, and ultimately leads to safer, more effective patient care.
5. Not advocating for patients
The mistake
Staying silent when something doesn’t feel right.
Why it matters
Nurses are often the first to notice subtle patient changes. Failing to speak up can delay critical interventions, potentially worsening patient outcomes. New nurses may hesitate because they lack confidence or fear being wrong, but silence can lead to serious consequences. Advocacy is a core responsibility in nursing practice, and ignoring your instincts may result in missed opportunities to escalate care when needed.
How to avoid it
Trust your assessments and recognize that your clinical judgment is valuable, even as a new nurse. Use the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) communication tool to organize your thoughts when speaking to physicians or charge nurses.
If you notice a change in condition or something that doesn't add up, don't wait, speak up promptly. Document your findings clearly and objectively. If your concern is initially dismissed but you still feel strongly, continue to advocate. Know that raising concerns respectfully and persistently is part of professional responsibility and patient safety.
6. Documentation errors
The mistake
Charting late, inaccurately, or incompletely.
Why it matters
Incomplete or delayed documentation affects care continuity and carries significant legal and clinical risks. Nurses' notes are not only a communication tool but also a legal record of the care provided.
Inaccurate or vague entries can lead to treatment delays, misunderstandings among care teams, and potentially poor outcomes. In a legal setting, your documentation could be used as evidence of your performance, so thoroughness is essential.
How to avoid it
Chart in real time or as close to the moment of care as possible to ensure accuracy. Be factual, objective, and specific; avoid assumptions or subjective opinions. Use approved abbreviations and ensure you’re familiar with facility-specific charting practices and electronic health record (EHR) systems. Incorporate relevant details such as patient responses, interventions performed, and communication with other healthcare providers.
If you make an error, correct it according to protocol without attempting to conceal the mistake. Regularly reviewing your own documentation habits and seeking feedback can also help you improve over time.
7. Neglecting self-care
The mistake
Skipping meals, neglecting hydration, not getting enough rest, or ignoring emotional support.
Why it matters
Neglecting yourself can lead to burnout and affect patient care. When basic needs are overlooked, physical fatigue, cognitive decline, and emotional exhaustion quickly follow.
Chronic neglect of self-care can reduce your ability to think critically, increase your risk of illness, and diminish your capacity for empathy. Patients rely on nurses to be alert, focused, and compassionate, none of which are sustainable without adequate self-care.
How to avoid it
Prioritize your well-being as an essential part of professional responsibility. Schedule regular hydration and snack breaks, even during busy shifts. Pack balanced meals ahead of time and carry a refillable water bottle. Use your breaks to step away, breathe deeply, and mentally reset. After work, establish a calming routine that includes adequate sleep, exercise, hobbies, and time with loved ones. Short, structured routines after work — such as journaling, walking, or listening to calming music — can also help to transition out of “work mode.”
Don’t hesitate to set boundaries around your time off to preserve your energy. Remember, a healthy nurse is a safe and effective nurse, not just for a single shift, but for a sustainable career.
8. Overlooking emotional support
The mistake
Ignoring your emotional needs or mental health.
Why it matters
Emotional exhaustion can compromise your ability to provide compassionate care. When emotional needs are neglected, nurses may become desensitized, impatient, or disconnected from patients. This emotional blunting can affect clinical judgment, communication, and morale. Over time, unresolved stress and compassion fatigue can contribute to anxiety, depression, or even departure from the profession.
How to avoid it
Talk to trusted colleagues or mentors who understand the demands of nursing. Normalize emotional check-ins and don’t be afraid to admit when you’re struggling. Take advantage of employee assistance programs (EAPs), mental health counselors, or peer support groups if available. Make time to reflect, journal, or engage in debriefing sessions after emotionally challenging events.
Creating a routine that includes emotional processing is just as important as any clinical skill, and it keeps you grounded and capable of providing the empathetic care your patients deserve.
9. Misunderstanding scope of practice
The mistake
Performing tasks beyond your legal role or responsibilities.
Why it matters
This can put patients at risk and jeopardize your license. Scope of practice is defined by your nursing license, state laws, and facility policies. Crossing those boundaries, whether by administering medications you're not authorized to give or performing advanced procedures without proper training, can result in patient harm, disciplinary action, or even legal repercussions. It can also create tension with other members of the healthcare team who rely on clear role definitions to coordinate care.
How to avoid it
Know and understand your state’s nurse practice act and your facility’s policies and procedures inside and out. During orientation, ask specific questions about what is expected and permitted in your role. If a task is unfamiliar or feels outside your training, speak up and seek guidance before proceeding.
Always verify orders, especially if they seem unclear or unusual, and clarify whether you're the right person to carry them out. Staying within your scope not only protects your license but builds trust and ensures safe, high-quality patient care.
10. Comparing yourself to others
The mistake
Measuring your abilities against more experienced colleagues.
Why it matters
This can erode confidence and hinder growth. When you constantly compare yourself to seasoned nurses, you may begin to feel inadequate or question your competence. This mindset can create unnecessary pressure, diminish motivation, and even cause you to withdraw from valuable learning opportunities. It's important to remember that every nurse's journey is different, and experience comes with time and repetition.
How to avoid it
Focus on your progress, not perfection. Set personal goals and track your development over weeks and months. Celebrate small victories, whether it’s inserting your first IV independently or having a successful patient education conversation.
Learn from experienced colleagues by observing their techniques and asking for advice, but use their skills as inspiration, not a measuring stick. Remind yourself regularly that they were once new, too, and that confidence and proficiency are built over time through persistence and practice.
11. Avoiding feedback
The mistake
Becoming defensive when receiving constructive criticism.
Why it matters
Feedback helps you grow and improve. Being defensive can block valuable insights and discourage future guidance from peers or supervisors.
When feedback is dismissed or met with resistance, it can strain professional relationships and hinder teamwork. Constructive criticism is intended to support your development and improve patient care, not to criticize you personally.
How to avoid it
Accept feedback with an open mind, even when it’s difficult to hear. Take a moment to breathe and avoid responding defensively. Listen actively and try to understand the perspective being offered and take notes during feedback sessions Repeat back what you heard (“So what I can work on is…”) to confirm understanding.
Ask clarifying questions if needed and thank the person for taking the time to help you improve. Reflect on the feedback later and identify concrete actions you can take. After receiving feedback, set one measurable action (e.g., “I will practice bedside report three times this week and ask for input after each shift”). By approaching feedback as a growth opportunity, you’ll demonstrate professionalism, build resilience, and develop stronger clinical skills over time.
12. Ignoring policies and protocols
The mistake
Skipping protocol reviews or assuming you already know procedures.
Why it matters
Procedures can vary between units and facilities. What is standard in one hospital or department may be completely different in another. Relying on previous experience rather than reviewing current protocols can lead to clinical errors, delays in care, and even disciplinary action. Updated protocols often reflect the latest evidence-based practices or regulatory standards, so missing them can impact both patient safety and your own compliance.
How to avoid it
Review policies regularly, especially during orientation and whenever you change units or facilities. Ask clarifying questions about unfamiliar processes and never assume that past routines apply in your current setting. Bookmark your facility's online policy portal or keep a printed copy of commonly used procedures for easy access.
Participate in policy review sessions or team updates and take notes during in-services. Prioritizing policy literacy helps you stay aligned with expectations and reinforces your role as a safe, competent nurse.
Building confidence as a new nurse
Confidence takes time but can be developed with intention and consistency. As a new nurse, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by new environments, complex patient needs, and unfamiliar workflows. Rather than aiming for instant mastery, focus on steady progress and intentional habits that build your competence over time, which can include these actions:
- Set small, achievable goals for every shift, such as initiating one IV, improving handoff reports, or practicing a new documentation technique.
- Participate in learning sessions and ongoing education to expand your clinical knowledge and stay updated on best practices.
- Keep a journal of successes and challenges to reflect on your growth and identify patterns in your learning.
- Practice mindfulness and self-compassion to manage stress, increase focus, and avoid negative self-talk during difficult moments.
- Seek feedback and mentorship regularly, treating every piece of guidance as a steppingstone toward mastery.
Learning from daily experiences transforms beginners into strong clinicians. The more you reflect and intentionally adjust your approach, the faster you grow in confidence, skill, and resilience.
Final thoughts to consider
Mistakes are part of every nurse's journey. What matters most is how you respond, learn, and move forward with intention and resilience. Rather than letting mistakes define you, let them refine your practice. Use every experience, even the uncomfortable ones, as a lesson in critical thinking, communication, and clinical judgment.
With awareness, support, and a commitment to continual learning, you can thrive in your first year and lay a strong foundation for a rewarding career. Surround yourself with mentors, engage in ongoing education, and be open to feedback. Take pride in your growth, however small it may seem.
Remember, every experienced nurse once stood where you are now, uncertain, eager, and determined to make a difference. Stay curious, stay kind to yourself, and embrace the process. Your commitment to learning and compassion will guide you toward becoming the nurse your patients trust and your colleague's respect.
