Are we supportive of our New Grad Nurses?

[Rita June Jarvis Isaac]

The transition from student to independent practitioner in any field is stressful. A new nurse mentioned that on her first day, a more experienced nurse said, " since you passed your licensing exams, you can handle yourself." That was the scariest day of her life. Could you imagine the risk to patients being on your own on the first day?  A construct called PsyCap was mentioned by the American Psychological Association; these four elements may contribute to how nurses cope during their first-year transition. Optimism, hope, resilience, and efficacy. Do you think personality or preparation helps the new graduate nurse to remain in this profession?

[Nurse Pompom]

New nurses get a preceptor. In my hospital, for .. 3 months I believe? Or is it 6? Anyways, no, they don't get a "sink or swim" speech.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Our new nurses get an extensive classroom and preceptorship. They will not be on their own until they are ready. When they are on their own, they have an experienced nurses to use as resource person.

On 7/11/2022 at 10:17 PM, Rita June Jarvis Isaac said:

Could you imagine the risk to patients being on your own on the first day?

This does not exist.

[mmarlene93]

I think hospitals that have new grad residency programs are tailored specifically to support new nurses and give them the tools needed to succeed.  In my residency program, you got 3 months of orientation and you had the option of extending if you felt like you needed more time.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

Personality is 80%,thick skin,able to grin and bear it,not gullible,street smarts,determined to get thru it,the rest is a decent orientation with a good preceptor with a helpful attitude.Beware of the ethnic clique,the lazy manager  who shops on computer all day, some will try to screw you on assignments favoring their buddies.Those that have family in nursing profession do the best,especially if family works in same place.