"New grad-itis"...

Specialties Emergency

Published

I'v seen it in a few forms. I had "new-grad-itis" in the timid form. I was afraid of everything. I had twitches and sweats if I actually had to touch a pt. Thank goodness it ran its course in about 2-3 weeks of ER orientation. Oh, and a good dose of ACLS and PALS helped me get over it.

We have recently hired a few new grads into our little ER, and I could use a little advice in coping. The new grad's with my form of new-grad-itis are ok. I can relate. it is the second form that is making me want to commit sideways. The second form comes with a heavy dose of "I know it all" and "tech's are to be used in any way I see fit" In this particular case one side effect seems to be "out of my way, I need code experience" No lie, I was literally pushed out of a door way so new grad could get her "experience" with a code.

I like working where I am at. But, seriously I am having such a hard time working with someone with "new-grad-itis" Please tell me this too shall pass? and if it is chronic? HOW do you cope with difficult co-workers?

Specializes in Critical Care Float - ICU / ED / PACU.

That is scary!!!

I'm a new grad, who would LOVE to work in ER / CC - I know that's where I belong....

but I'm scared to death to make that jump directly into it. I know that I'm pretty decent w/ skills - but in no way, shape or form - do I feel that I know it all!! My biggest fear is loosing a patient because of my lack of experience!! :uhoh21: I would never be able to live with myself...

The sad thing is - i have a couple of classmates who do have this 'know-it-all' mentality, and have accepted jobs in area ER's and ICU's. I can tell they kind of look down at me because I'm actually considering boring old med/surg..... :angryfire

But at the same time - I feel sorry for them, and wonder how long it will be before they do get that first reality check! Unfortunately, it will probably be at a patient's expense....

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Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.

I had 3 new grads push me aside during a code situation once so that they could get "code experience." I stepped back & let them go to it, then, when they realized that none of them had ever done this before, and that they might be in over their heads, I stepped in and saved their butts. Took all three of their egos down a few pegs..... :)

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Ugh, I almost WISH I had the problem of being a "know it all"

I just started working in the ER, and I am a fairly new nurse, (less than two years of experience with 3 different jobs thanks to hurricane katrina).

I've been on orientation 3 days, and so far I haven't killed anyone, so I guess that's a start. My preceptor has the mentality of "just throw her in there and she'll learn" which in some cases I appreciate, but it's beginning to terrify me!! I need some of that confidence that these know it all new grads have. I couldn't imaging pushing a nurse out the way to see a code....I'm terrified of the day that my pt codes, and only hope that experienced nurses have my back. I'm still waiting to take ACLS and PALS, and I'm hoping that at least that will give me more confidence with ekgs, and the emergency drugs.

Anyway, I'm working tomorrow, and I really would appreciate it if y'all could throw some confidence vibes to me!

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Specializes in ER.

:trout: this is the new grad stereotype that gives newbies and a lot of students a bad reputation. How long did it take them to figure out they needed help?

I had 3 new grads push me aside during a code situation once so that they could get "code experience." I stepped back & let them go to it, then, when they realized that none of them had ever done this before, and that they might be in over their heads, I stepped in and saved their butts. Took all three of their egos down a few pegs..... :)
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Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.
canoehead said:
:trout: this is the new grad stereotype that gives newbies and a lot of students a bad reputation. How long did it take them to figure out they needed help?

About 2 minutes, The doctor was going to intubate, and asked for "sux"....... none of the new grads knew what he meant, until I went into the RSI kit and handed them the vial of succinylcholine

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Specializes in home health- pediatrics.
I'v seen it in a few forms. I had "new-grad-itis" in the timid form. I was afraid of everything. I had twitches and sweats if I actually had to touch a pt. Thank goodness it ran its course in about 2-3 weeks of ER orientation. Oh, and a good dose of ACLS and PALS helped me get over it.

We have recently hired a few new grads into our little ER, and I could use a little advice in coping. The new grad's with my form of new-grad-itis are ok. I can relate. it is the second form that is making me want to commit sideways. The second form comes with a heavy dose of "I know it all" and "tech's are to be used in any way I see fit" In this particular case one side effect seems to be "out of my way, I need code experience" No lie, I was literally pushed out of a door way so new grad could get her "experience" with a code.

I like working where I am at. But, seriously I am having such a hard time working with someone with "new-grad-itis" Please tell me this too shall pass? and if it is chronic? HOW do you cope with difficult co-workers?

Rip them a new one!

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

Sometimes it's not the attitude but how you come across.

I'll forever be grateful to a senior co-worker that I worked with in the ED. He pulled me aside one day and explained to me that it wasn't my attitude but my presentation that might rub some folks the wrong way.

Reality IS based on "perception" after all

I genuinely didn't know that I was coming across that way.

Suffice to say that I was mortified and have been careful ever since... ?

cheers,

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