Making it to the One Year Mark

Nurses New Nurse

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Ive been working as a nurse a few months but it feels much longer than that. I cant believe all that Ive learned and have done in this short time. WOW!! Things that I was squeamish about, Im not any longer. I know I still have so much to learn and each day of work I learn so much more. Ive been reading that most places require one year of experience. I cant wait until my 'one year of experience' has come! One year... is that when youre considered a seasoned vet? I know it cant be that but why the one year thing??

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

I'd HARDLY call one year seasoned. I don't think 5 years is seasoned.

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Someone once made the analogy that a nursing license was kind of like a driver's license. It only means that you've passed the minimum requirements to get a license. You need to put in a lot of time behind the wheel to become truly competent. If you needed a driver, you probably wouldn't hire someone who had only had their license for a short time. You'd want someone who had at the very least survived driving regularly awhile without any major accidents. There's no magic amount of time, but a year is a distinct length of time that reflects having survived the worst of the transition from inexperience to experience, and that survival not likely to just be a matter of being lucky so far. Likewise, it apparently takes about a year of hands on experience before being considered for hire as a functional nurse - as opposed to as a new grad, an unknown quantity who will likely need a lot more support than someone with a year of experience.

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I'm guessing after 1 year most orientations are over, the new grad nurses are ready to stand on their own (at least without an official preceptor).

Also it seems like many aren't even staying in nursing a whole year- so that makes it special for those who do.

Others may stay at one unit/hospital for that one year just so they can apply elsewhere since they have more experience. Perhaps their dream units all insisted on 1 year experience- now they can apply with more confidence they'll get hired.

Plus any 'anniversary' can be considered special.

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Alot of employers will not hire you nowadays without one year of experience. This is why Im wondering what is so special to them about that one year mark. I jokingly stated about the seasoned vet thing...I continue to wonder..why the one year mandatory before they will even consider hiring a new nurse in many cases? With that being the case most times, I look forward to making it to the one year mark so I can branch out. Thanks for all your responses.

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I'm guessing after 1 year most orientations are over, the new grad nurses are ready to stand on their own (at least without an official preceptor).

Also it seems like many aren't even staying in nursing a whole year- so that makes it special for those who do.

Others may stay at one unit/hospital for that one year just so they can apply elsewhere since they have more experience. Perhaps their dream units all insisted on 1 year experience- now they can apply with more confidence they'll get hired.

Plus any 'anniversary' can be considered special.

Thank you so much for understanding. It makes it difficult for a new nurse to get a job because of that. Also, a new nurse may take a position that isnt their 'dream' just so they can make it to the one year mark.

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I'd HARDLY call one year seasoned. I don't think 5 years is seasoned.

I agree which is why I wonder why they make 'one' year so special in most cases.

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