[healer27]

Hi, everyone. I'm a student in my 4th semester, hoping to graduate in May. On the main message board I posted asking for advice on new nurses. One person wrote back saying to get into a "new grad" program out of school. Am I assuming correctly this is just saying an "internship" program?

Also, did anyone else feel more anxious/burnt out/nervous during their 4th semester then all others? the semester just started (2 weeks ago) but I'm having such a hard time getting back into studying, and feeling so anxious about graduating, taking the NCLEX and really working (gulp.)

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you!

[SarasotaRN2b]

Yes, a new grad program would be like an internship. Many hospitals, especially large ones, will have special programs for their different departments. This may include both classroom time and clinical time. You'll probably also be assigned a preceptor.

Kris

[ladygray92]

Healer27,
I am also in my final semester, about 2 weeks in. I have to admit I feel the same way. We just filled out our paperwork & all the legalities for taking the NCLEX. Do you have a countdown of the days left on your calendar too? It seems like its going to be here in no time!
Our first test is on cardiac, on Tues. I'm still having trouble getting the hang of reading ECG's. There's so much to know, our tests are really hard.
Oh, well, I'll be happy to just make it.
I don't think I've been much help, but at least I can relate....

Ladygray92

[Daytonite]

I was a nurse manager in a large intercity hospital that had a new grad orientation program. What they did was put all the new hire RNs who were newly graduated from nursing school into a special orientation program designed for them. They still worked on their individual units four days a week, but one day, Friday, was spent with the nursing educators going over policies and reviewing procedures as well as discussing any problems they might be having making their transition from school to employee. Each orientee had a preceptor who was responsible for evaluating the orientee's clinical performance and progression.

Getting into one of these kinds of programs is a nicer way to ease into your new role as an RN. It's kind of like putting you on a bike with training wheels until you're ready to have them come off. It also assures the hospital that you will stay employed with them. Orienting new grads is not much different from growing a flower from a seed. You can take the seedling, love it, keep it free of weeds, keep it fed and protected (nurture it) and bring it along to full bloom. Then, there are those who plant seeds and let them fight the elements on their own. Now, if you were a seed, which would you prefer? That's the kind of employer you want to look for as you go looking for your first job.

I suggest that if you are going to look for employment in the same geographical area where you are going to nursing school that you start talking to some of the staff nurses you come into contact with at your clinical sites. Ask about the new grad orientation program the hospital has. Ask if they know about any other hospitals in the area. What hospital is good to work for? Who treats their employees well? Who doesn't? Also, take advantage of attending any nursing job fairs going on (check the Sunday paper classifieds for these being advertised), even if they are a little out of your geographic area as there is a lot to learn from just going and networking with people who attend them.

Right now you are just experiencing the excitement of nearing completion of school and getting ready to leave the nest, so to speak. You'll make it through. Don't let all the negative stuff you read about on the forums get to you. People tend to talk more about the negative stuff that happens to them than the positive things--makes for better conversations! A lot of new grads can look back and say that had a good initial orientation. I can't promise it won't be stress or anxiety free for you, but the chance of something really horrible going wrong is unlikely.

[healer27]

Hi Ladygray,

thanks for the reply, it helps just knowing someone else is in the same boat as me.. I'm just feeling so anxious, about everything. We had cardio last semester, I liked it but there is ALOT to know. I'm sure you'll do great on your test. I always liked using the "Nursing Made Easy" books to help me study along with my regular texts. Also, the questions from the books on the areas I was studying seemed to help as well.

Best of LUck!

[Amber_student_nurse]

In Australia Grad Programs are very popular and are offered by all of our teaching hospitals. Most nursing students once finished choose to go on to a grad program which can last for 6 months to 2 years. They range from Mental health, Peads, Emergency, Med, surg etc and offer newly graduated nurses support and guidance in their first years out of school.