Brand New Nurse Expectations

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2004

Unfortunately not all environments are supportive. Especially if it's an area where nurses are in short supply and the nurses are too busy themselves to help out the new grad.

My experience however was positive. No, you aren't expected to be perfect. But when your preceptorship and orientation is over and it's just you and your assignment, it's an awesome responsibility to have people's lives and needs at your hands, so in that respect you'd better know what you're doing. However, a good environment is going to have resources and a team of nurses who are there for you, knowing that some things just come with experience.

Now that I'm an old experienced nurse my expectations of the new grad are that they are going to be a bit disorganized, not going to get done on time, and are going to be asking me lots and lots of questions and they tell me when they need help.

Good luck.

alk3rainbow · Jun 29, 2004

At least that has been my experience. I was at a job once where I was expected to perform as a person with lots of experience. I eventually quit because I couldn't take the pressure.
If nursing is going to be the same way, then I have my reservations.
And yes, I know there are some great female bosses out there....
Feedback Please!

Oh I hate jobs like that. I had a receptionist job when I was 17, and because I didn't pick up on doing invoices and all these other new skills right away that the girl who was there before me could do, I was deemed incompetent. The girl before me had been there for over two years, but my boss didn't even give me two days to figure out how things were run. I hate jobs where your bosses make you feel stupid and uncomfortable. I'm sure you could find a hospital that didn't treat you that way though.

PBAJS · Jun 29, 2004

"I had a receptionist job when I was 17, and because I didn't pick up on doing invoices and all these other new skills right away that the girl who was there before me could do, I was deemed incompetent. The girl before me had been there for over two years, but my boss didn't even give me two days to figure out how things were run. I hate jobs where your bosses make you feel stupid and uncomfortable."

:rotfl: Reminds me of the time many years ago when I started a new office job. This guy had his own appliance business. He had been doing the selling and repairing of refrigerators and washing machines and office records himself. I was the first person he hired. The filing system in the drawers went Z-A. :confused: I asked if I could change it to A-Z. NO WAY! He was VERY unhappy with me as I wasn't filing or find files fast enough for him. Well, my brain didn't work backwards and still doesn't. I was there less than a week.

:chuckle

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jun 29, 2004

just don't kill anyone and you'll be doing fine.

Seriously, we don't really expect in depth knowledge, but we do expect you to ask lots of questions to keep your head above water. The mark of a dangerous new grad is one that acts self sufficient, and doesn't need/accept help. We know they are screwing up, but either won't admit it or don't know it yet. A good nurse screws up but is asking enough questions to catch them before they ever go to the patient's bedside.

TEXAS_BSN_RN · Aug 4, 2008

I've been a nurse since May. No they dont expect you to be perfect. They expect you to continue to strive to improve.

TEXAS_BSN_RN · Aug 4, 2008

and not act like a know it all....like some.........

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2008

Since this particular discussion is well over 4 years old, I think the OP (original poster) received some helpful answers to her question a very long time ago.