Looking to get some advice on how to work with New grads coming through our Emergency department. For some years, 1st year nurses were not employed directly into emergency, but recent changes mean that within months of graduating from university, young nurses are coming straight to a fast-paced often stressful department. My challenge is this, while I was terrified for my first year in ED and extremely respectful of the senior nurses, these new grads are not. I have had several experiences where the new grads will practice beyond their scope, demonstrate terrible documentation skills, and outright refuse to care for patients. They frequently take breaks to check their phones and emails, and never think to offer assistance to their teammates. I often feel like I am being unreasonable in asking them to get up and restock or help out. At the risk of being accused of work place bullying, I try to put on my educator cap and gently initiate discussion about these issues. However, the new grads do not want to hear it. I and many of my colleagues, have been told in no uncertain terms that they do not require help, and that they know what they are doing. By no means do I believe that all new grads are like this. I also teach at university and see many enthusiastic young nurses who are open to learning. But my clinical experience with young nurses has been overwhelmingly negative and I despair for the future of my department. I would love to hear about strategies that other nurses employ to work successfully with new nurses who seem to 'know it all'!
