--- title: The top 10 things you’ve learned on the job description: Scrubs Mag asked their Facebook fans for the number-one thing they’ve learned on the job as nurses for newly graduated nurses. image: http://scrubsmag.mindovermediallc.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/LearnOnJob.jpg --- ![](http://scrubsmag.mindovermediallc.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/LearnOnJob.jpg) ### The top 10 things you’ve learned on the job *Posted By* Alycia Sullivan Fri, Jan 17, 2014 @ 10:10 AM - - - BY [SCRUBS](http://scrubsmag.com/author/Scrubs/) ![describe the image](http://scrubsmag.mindovermediallc.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/LearnOnJob.jpg)The day has finally come: You’ve graduated from [nursing school](http://scrubsmag.com/how-do-i-get-enough-sleep-in-nursing-school/), passed the [NCLEX ](http://scrubsmag.com/nclex-practice-exam-2013-series-part-5/)and finally landed [your dream job](http://scrubsmag.com/5-things-you-need-to-give-up-to-get-a-nursing-job/). Now comes the tough/awesome/rewarding part—actually working as a nurse! When you’re just starting out, it can be tough to know who to listen to and what advice is actually relevant to you. So we asked our [Facebook fans](https://www.facebook.com/scrubsmagazine) for the number-one thing they’ve learned on the job as nurses. Check out their smart, funny and inspiring responses—then let us know what you’d add to the list. **The top 10 things you’ve learned on the job** **1.** Never pass up an opportunity to eat or pee. *—Sylvia Moose Garza* **2.** You can have a nurse title if you pass state boards, but you can only be a real nurse by having empathy, compassion and treating your patients as individuals—not room numbers or bed numbers. They are humans with their own souls. *—Vicky Kelly* **3.** If it’s open, it could squirt. *—Melissa Thomas Goodson* **4.** Never underestimate the value of listening to a patient and their troubles for a few minutes. Sometimes your ear can make all the difference in somebody’s day, year, situation or sleepless night. *—Diane Byrne* **5.** Nursing is 10 percent skill and 90 percent communication. *—Becky Peters Lay* **6.** Stay calm and don’t panic—98 percent of what you do can’t kill or hurt anyone (I got this piece of advice from a 35-year vet nurse who was my proctor on my first day!). *—Anne Marie Dzmura* **7.** Never, never, ever assume ANYTHING! *—Demita Crofford* **8.** A little teamwork goes a long way! *—Kacy Elisha Holland* **9.** Always be an advocate. Never be afraid to speak up for your patients’ best interest! *—Monica Springhart* **10.** Don’t take life for granted. Stop and smell the roses. Enjoy the simple things, like the ability to take a shower or the human touch. *—Kendra Ringuette Jenkins* What’s the number-one lesson you’ve learned as a nurse? Source: [Scrubs Mag](http://scrubsmag.com/the-top-10-things-you%E2%80%99ve-learned-on-the-job/) Topics : - [new nurse](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/new-nurse) - [advice](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/advice) - [nursing school](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/nursing-school) - [learn on the job](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/learn-on-the-job) ### Recent Posts [![](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/GettyImages-1428257600.jpg) ##### Advancing Mental Health Equity for Every Community Thu, Jul 02, 2026 @ 09:34 AM Every July, the United States observes National Minority Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the unique mental health challenges experienced by racial and ethnic minority... Read More ](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/advancing-mental-health-equity-for-every-community) [![](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/GettyImages-2196910512.jpg) ##### Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Nursing School and Beyond Wed, Jun 24, 2026 @ 01:29 PM There's a moment almost every nursing student experiences. You're standing at the bedside, maybe it's your first clinical day, maybe it's your first week on the floor as a new grad, and a small, cold... Read More ](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/overcoming-imposter-syndrome-in-nursing-school-and-beyond) [![](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/GettyImages-2173000043.jpg) ##### We're Still Burning: A Nurse's Take on the 2026 Burnout Statistics Wed, Jun 17, 2026 @ 10:33 AM I've been a Nurse long enough to remember when "burnout" wasn't something we talked about openly. You pushed through a brutal shift, grabbed a lukewarm coffee from the break room, and did it all... Read More ](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/were-still-burning-a-nurses-take-on-the-2026-burnout-statistics) #### Subscribe to Email Our Newsletter [![Education_Award_Square](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Education_Award_Square.jpeg?width=485&height=317&name=Education_Award_Square.jpeg) ](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/education-award)