Im a mid-20 something new grad who just recently started orientation on a med-surg floor in a local hospital. I've been working in home health for the past few months and this is my first acute care job. I'm starting to notice some things about myself and it probably holds true for some people in my generation, especially after reading several posts from other new grads on here... Our generation really does feel entitled. "Our nursing program should've prepared us for what we will face in nursing, our jobs should go above and beyond meeting our expectations, our coworkers should never talk down to us."
I've worked before, never as a "professional" though, so I know what the real world is like. But for some reason, I just believed that things would at least be above average for me in nursing. Maybe its the caring nature of the field, I don't know... But obviously floor nursing is very stressful. No one's entitled to hold your hand. Your school isn't there to tell you what you're signing up for. That's YOUR responsibility (research your field, shadow established professionals, look online, etc). The reality shock of what nursing is really like can't all be blamed on our schools or new jobs. And just like the rest of life, other's won't always build you up.
Not to pass the buck, but I grew up in the early 90s and a lot of what we were taught in school was that "everybody is a winner", "you're special", and "you can be whatever you want to be." What was left out of the equation was that it won't always be easy, everyone won't always be happy for you and it's definitely going to take more than just thinking positive (i.e. some hard work and dedication). I don't ever really remember hearing about that side of the coin until late in high school.
A lot of posts on AN's for new grads tell us to "fake it till we make it." Maybe I'm not quite understanding what that means, but it couldn't be farther from the truth. Be humble. Ask questions. Regard your patient's safety over your ego and need to "fake it."
I came on to the floor for my 3rd shift with a preceptor, scared as hell but not wanting to ask many questions for fear of looking dumb, etc. After making a few mistakes early in the shift (none that were harmful to the patient, just wasted our time and put us behind), my preceptor nailed it in my head that it's better to ask NOW while I'm on orientation, then to be on my own and have my job on the line. She said when she first started in nursing she was humble, told everyone that she needed help and recieved any instructions/criticisms that anyone had to tell her. This preceptor has been working at the hospital for 18+ years and stopped at least 10 times during the day to double check something with the charge nurse, call pharmacy for clarification or even to ask another nurse what color tube she needed to draw a certain lab. No one looked at her as if she had three heads, her patient's got the best care and that was that.
I'm a quiet person by nature and a bit timid with my nursing skills. But I found that the more I let my guard down, admitted I needed help with things, the more confident I became. I didn't go into a room with a Lovenox needle that I haven't used in over a year, wondering If I would remember how this specific needle would work. I stopped and asked other nurses on the floor, and could walk into my patient's room confident.
This is just a start and floor nursing is a big reality shock for me but hey... I'm learning. Just wanted to throw this out to other new grads and for the older grads that are scratching their heads wondering why the hell some of us are how we are. I really appreciated the words from my preceptor today and know it'll help become a better person and nurse in the long run.
Penn and Teller ******** S08E09 Self Esteem Part 2
I take "fake it 'til you make it" to mean giving the patients the perception that I wasn't going to harm them. I do also believe that it is hard to be humble and hard to ask questions as a new anything. It is hard to make it in a nursing program if your hands start shaking and your voice trembles each time you enter a patient's room. It can be very unnerving to state that you don't know what you're doing.
Being humble is a big one, having the courage to ask a question without regard to how stupid you think you may look is another big one. I'd much rather think I look stupid or be treated like I'm wasting someone's time than endanger my patient or lose my license! I am a new grad, I know I have a very long way to go and I do not care if asking questions makes me look stupid etc...as long as my patients are safe and my job is done right I'm happy. Good post!
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I take "fake it 'til you make it" to mean giving the patients the perception that I wasn't going to harm them. I do also believe that it is hard to be humble and hard to ask questions as a new anything. It is hard to make it in a nursing program if your hands start shaking and your voice trembles each time you enter a patient's room. It can be very unnerving to state that you don't know what you're doing.
I can see that. :) There was a thread a while back for instructors to share some of the more cringe inducing things students did/said, one of them was a student who said - as they started a procedure "you're going to be the guinea pig today!"
My kids faced some hardships growing up. I wouldn't ever choose pain for my child, but I think they've become better people for it. Having parents who are aware of their child's reactions really helps. Seems like it's the kids who's parents behave as though the kids are just along for whatever ride they choose to take to fulfill their own needs end up with coping mechanisms that harm their chances for success for the rest of their lives.
Specializes in Sleep medicine,Floor nursing, OR, Trauma.
Nice post, OP.
You know, I'm all about confidence. I believe that everyone needs to have faith of self, if you will.
However, as a preceptor, it may be strange, but I want to see that gleam of fear in your eye and hesitation in your hands. When I explain something that is life and death, or even something that is just life or limb, a widened stare makes me smile. It tells me that you get it and are filing it away in the mental file cabinet drawer marked "CAUTION--DO NOT ERASE OR RABID MENTAL GERBILS WILL FIND YOU".
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate someone who jumps right in to help and is eager to learn, but frankly, it's the over confidant ones that I tend to be wary of. (
I'm glad to see you have a good grasp of the world, OP, and I wish you only the best in your career.
That was a really nice, insightful, thought-provoking post. I am just starting in nursing school but will keep that all in mind as I go into my clinicals.
Depends on where you start working. I know several places that make new hires cry on a daily or almost daily basis. I'm not exaggerating. If they ask a question, they can either get made to feel like they're stupid or ignored altogether. Not everywhere, but I can name 2 BIG university hospitals off the top of my head.
Thank you for being so honest. I applaud your accomplishment at completing nursing school, and know that, just like any job, you will get the hang of it and succeed. I was raised in the generation before you, and was taught that if I wanted anything out of life, I had to go and get it myself. Now, that may have been a product of the parenting attitudes of my generation, or a product of the family I grew up in, or both. I can't deny that coming from a mentality that tells you everyone is a winner puts you at an acute disadvantage when encountering the real world, but recognizing this deficit in yourself is incredibly self-aware and will take you far. I see posts on here ALL the time from new grads who are bewildered and outraged that they cannot seem to find their dream job on the first try with no experience, and it annoys and amuses me at the same time. There is no job, not even nursing, which promises you the perfect position right out of the gate. MD's have to do their residencies in places they never dreamed of moving to, working 24 hour shifts with 8 hours off. Teachers spend the first two years of actual teaching practice just trying to keep their head above water, and many of them end up starting out as substitutes or working in underfunded inner city schools that everyone else has long-since given up on. The more RN students adopt the attitude that their degree is only the starting point, the fewer nurses we will have who walk through the door with an attitude of un-earned, naiive and perfectly disgusting entitlement. Best of luck in your new job, and thanks for bringing this issue to light!
Not to pass the buck, but I grew up in the early 90s and a lot of what we were taught in school was that "everybody is a winner", "you're special", and "you can be whatever you want to be." What was left out of the equation was that it won't always be easy, everyone won't always be happy for you and it's definitely going to take more than just thinking positive (i.e. some hard work and dedication). I don't ever really remember hearing about that side of the coin until late in high school.
That's true-It was (and still seems to be)the philosophy of the time. Us as parents were told to say "good job, you're the greatest!":bow: for every little thing a kid did. The problem was, the kids were never required to really earn the praises, nor earn the things they wanted. Many kids today have their own phones, I-pods, computers, video games, a car when they turn 16... with no idea of what those things cost (in terms of hard work). When they get out in the "real world" they have difficulty coping. I feel for them.( My kids often complained when they had to do chores and homework and buy their own gadgets.) Today, they are thankful they escaped living the "me" generation so many of their friends suffer from.) You don't do anyone favors by "spoiling". that includes, not only our children, but patients and co-workers too. The sooner one learns "no one is going to do it for you," the better off they'll be.
BTW, SunshineAnytime" you seem very mature and insightful for your age, I think you are going to do very well as a nurse:yeah:
A lot of posts on AN's for new grads tell us to "fake it till we make it." Maybe I'm not quite understanding what that means, but it couldn't be farther from the truth. Be humble. Ask questions. Regard your patient's safety over your ego and need to "fake it."
I have never seen this advice given to new nurses here.
JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN
710 Posts
I take "fake it 'til you make it" to mean giving the patients the perception that I wasn't going to harm them. I do also believe that it is hard to be humble and hard to ask questions as a new anything. It is hard to make it in a nursing program if your hands start shaking and your voice trembles each time you enter a patient's room. It can be very unnerving to state that you don't know what you're doing.