Starting your first nursing job can feel like stepping into an entirely new world. One minute, you’re a student learning skills in a controlled environment. The next, you’re responsible for real patients, real decisions and real outcomes. We spoke with nurse residents across multiple units about how they juggle 12-hour shifts, maintaining mental and physical health and relationships outside the hospital.

1. They prepared for it to be challenging at the beginning (and that’s normal).

Even the most prepared new nurses say they had self-doubt, stress and uncertainty in the beginning. “I felt scared and nervous,” says Sophia, an IMCU RN Resident. “When I got off orientation with my preceptor, I was like, ‘Oh no, don’t give me the patients. I don’t know what I’m doing. I feel like I’m still a student.’”

ED RN Resident Deven agrees, saying, “If you don’t have the scaffolding and the support, it can be really scary because, who am I? I’m a baby nurse. And here I am coming in and caring for people in very serious, potentially dire situations.”

But that’s where a residency comes in, to give you the tools you need and help you feel confident as a nurse. Says Sophia, “Almost immediately, I was like, ‘Oh, wait, I got this. I’m just in my head about it.” Deven reflects, “Where I was and where I am now is monumentally different.”

Karenna describes the shift, saying, “You’re going to be doing a lot of things that you didn’t anticipate, but as soon as you show up and work with your coworkers, and reach out for help, you’re just going to enter a flow state. And it’s going to come to feel natural, and all the stress is going to melt away.”

As your skills grow, your confidence grows with them. Over time, the job feels more manageable—and a way to get there faster is to ask tons of questions. Curiosity creates competency.

2. They lean on their coworkers.

Our residents get through the tough days with their teams rallied around them, who they say pitch in to help or simply lend an ear. Sophia talks about how, during a particularly busy day, nearly everyone on her unit checked in with her to ask how they could help. Even when she had everything covered, it helped her to know that she had backup if she needed it.

RN Lucia agrees. “I think just knowing that I have my team helps me get through the day,” she says. “If I’m having a rough day, I can count on anyone to help me out.”

Across units—from Med Surg to Neuro to the ED—residents shared the same experience: support is constant and immediate. “Anytime I have a question, everyone drops everything to help me,” Deven says.

The right team makes things feel doable. “Everybody’s running towards you and asking, ‘What can I do? What do you need? How can I help?’” says Jaiden, RN. That kind of environment doesn’t just help you succeed at work; it helps protect your energy so you’re not carrying everything home with you.

3. They know how to mentally “clock out.”

One of the biggest challenges for new nurses is what happens after the shift ends: replaying the day, worrying about patients or holding onto stress. But it’s important to leave stress behind to protect your well-being. “I try to leave my stuff at the hospital, my mental baggage from the day,” shares Jaiden.

Sophia uses her commute intentionally, saying, “I try to use that as my transition time to decompress, listen to music, talk to no one, so that when I’m home, I can reset.” RN Kevin sees that boundary as one of the advantages of the profession. “I get to clock out and it doesn’t follow me. My time is my time, and I really get to do whatever I want with it and make the most out of it.”

4. They focus on activities (or lack thereof) that help them recharge.

Mindful time off helps new nurses balance the demands of the job, but every nurse must find what works for them.

For some, it’s about slowing down and not bringing that “busy person” home and feeling like there’s a massive checklist of things to get done during time off. “I’ve really learned to take a little bit of time for myself, just reading or taking a walk outside,” says Hannah, a Cardiology RN Resident.

For others, it’s about physical activity; for example, Deven heads to the mountains. “I go snowboarding multiple times a week,” he says. “I have just been spamming the mountain.” Med Surg RN Taylor goes to hot yoga, while others run, play pickleball or hike.

Finding balance is about doing something that helps you reset—consistently making space for it so you can return to work recharged.

5. They protect their relationships.

With long shifts and non-traditional schedules, it takes intention to maintain relationships, particularly if friends and partners have different work schedules. But it’s one of the most important parts of staying balanced. “It’s hard with the 12-hour, not Monday through Friday type of situation,” Sophia says. “So, on my days off I try to hang out with my friends to maintain those connections and nurture those relationships.”

For Lucia, it’s about staying grounded in everyday life. She’s a mom of two and loves every minute of experiencing the world with her kids. “I like spending time with my family, discovering new places with them.”

And sometimes, it’s about connecting with coworkers—outside of work. Often, nurses tell us that their teams feel like family, and those bonds don’t stop when they clock out. Karenna, a Neuro RN, says, “We de-stress together. We go hang out, decompress, chat about whatever.”

Join us as a new nurse

Our RN Residencies support new nurses as they transition from school to the hospital floor, not only growing their skills but also protecting their well-being and encouraging balance.

Join our Talent Network to stay connected to upcoming residency opportunities and find your next step in nursing.