When you enter the nursing workforce, certain realities come with the territory. What are some of the “surprises” new nurses face? Here’s a list you may encounter:

1. Mandatory overtime. Some facilities routinely require overtime.
2. Required floating. Many hospitals require float days, where you are sent to unfamiliar units to cover staffing shortages.
3. No lunch breaks. Eat when you can, because you won’t get a full 30 minutes most days due to the nature of the work.
4. Working on your days off. Call-ins are common when understaffing occurs. This can be avoided by unplugging your phone.

Source: Stressed Out: About Nursing School, HCPro, Inc., 2006. For more information on our series of Stressed Out books, visit www.stressedoutnurses.com