Creating “me” time is a highlight of working in the gig nursing industry. Yep, that’s right; working as a per diem nurse means you will enjoy a considerable amount of schedule flexibility, which will actually allow you enough time to enjoy hobbies outside of your profession. This type of flexibility can also mean having a preference on where you want to work. Thus, moving around as a per diem nurse is often the norm. Whether you choose a different facility for each shift or have a favorite you go back to time and time again, making a great first impression on your first per diem shift at a facility will most likely also involve making a good first impression on your new director of nursing (DON). Eek!
We get it: Being a PRN nurse means you will have a lot of last-minute shifts. This means meeting new people and managers over and over again. And while many PRN nurses love the excitement of mixing things up, it also can be intimidating to change your work environment. Luckily, there are plenty of ways per diem nurses can break out of their shell and present their best foot forward on shift days.
With that in mind, below are some smart tactics for coming across as genuine, compassionate, and committed on the first day of your PRN shift.
The Early Bird (Nurse) Gets the Worm: Be On-Time
Some assume that nurses don’t need much sleep and are all early risers. We can tell you this isn’t the case. In fact, there are plenty of nurses who experience occupational fatigue. Occupational fatigue happens when nurses experience critical sleep deprivation due to hectic hours and long shifts. If nurses don’t give themselves sufficient time to recover, they may experience decreased mental focus and ability to perform their jobs safely. That being said, one of the great perks of per diem nursing is being able to build your schedule around your life, maybe even around your sleep. This can mean not scheduling yourself for night shifts, or allowing at least 10 hours before scheduling your next shift.
Okay, so what does getting enough sleep have to do with impressing your DON? Well, if you haven’t heard, good sleep not only has a positive effect on your mind (think mental power), but it can also help you get up on time, which — you guessed it — means being on time for work. Managers love their nursing teams when they show up on time. Therefore, punctuality is the first step toward impressing your DON. If you can arrive at work a few minutes earlier, even better! Planning to arrive early to work allows for any unexpected delays such as those caused by traffic, getting lost, or your barista taking longer than normal while preparing your Pumpkin Spice Macchiato (worth the wait). In short, be on time, and show your DON that you are rested and prepared for a high-pressure workday.
Smile Like You Mean It and Be Compassionate
You know that big cheeky grin that some people have that can literally light up a room? Okay, so while not all of us have been blessed with a resting “happy” face, putting your best smile forward and flashing some pearly whites will show your colleagues and your DON that you are approachable. Additionally, showing compassion as a nurse is one trait that flows nicely alongside a smile. This means dealing with challenging situations, either with patients or other coworkers, with empathy and authentic listening. That being said, stay true to yourself: If you are an introvert or a more serious person, you don’t have to flash a smile every time you turn a corner. What's more important is that you maintain a positive outlook while at work. Moreover, try on a smile when you feel it’s coming from an authentic place. As Justin Beiber once said, “You smile, I smile”.
Dear Nurse, Go Ahead and Show Off Your Skills
Are you a PRN nurse with specific expertise? Don’t be afraid to show off your wingspan and put your nursing skills to work. Maybe you have extended knowledge of preventative care strategies, or perhaps you're excellent at providing compassionate and crucial information to patients regarding their illnesses. Either way, putting your knowledge on display will certainly appeal to your DON. That’s because managers look for nurses who are confident and proactive. While it’s always important to ask questions, independence and problem-solving are also great skills to show your manager. At the end of the day, exemplifying your knowledge as a nurse can help get you a great referral from your DON. And this means having a better chance at being the selected candidate to work your next PRN shift.
Be Confident, Be You
Authenticity is perhaps one of the most effective traits in leadership. As a matter of fact, being authentic at work may even help you perform better at your job. While in the past being all- obeying and compliant were regarded as admirable traits in the workforce, nowadays, showing your true personality scores better with managers. That's because demonstrating authenticity shows that you have a clear idea of who you are. On top of that, displaying authenticity marks vulnerability because — let’s be real — not all of us are perfect. But when we behave in our most genuine form, it shows that we have both strengths and faults. Hence, this can allow for our coworkers to feel more comfortable around us. If our coworkers feel more comfortable with us, working harmoniously together as a team becomes easier, and believe us: Managers will take note. While being authentic and candid at work has its benefits, that doesn’t mean you should spill all your beans. In other words, there is a certain amount of professionalism that needs to be upheld while working in a medical setting. However, it is generally accepted that staying true to yourself leads to a happier emotional state, so when in doubt, be genuine.
Per Diem Nursing: Make a Good First Impression
The grand takeaway for making a great impression on your DON? Be yourself, confident, skilled, and, most importantly, well-rested. All these traits will help show your DON, that you’re an accomplished PRN nurse ready to tackle any task, big or small, thrown your way.
Are you a skilled per diem nurse who has mastered the art of making a good first impression in the nursing field? Join the conversation and share all your tips on Nursa's community board.
