"New grad-itis"...

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I'v seen it in a few forms. I had "new-grad-itis" in the timid form. I was afraid of everything. I had twitches and sweats if I actually had to touch a pt. Thank goodness it ran its course in about 2-3 weeks of ER orientation. Oh, and a good dose of ACLS and PALS helped me get over it.

We have recently hired a few new grads into our little ER, and I could use a little advice in coping. The new grad's with my form of new-grad-itis are ok. I can relate. it is the second form that is making me want to commit sideways. The second form comes with a heavy dose of "I know it all" and "tech's are to be used in any way I see fit" In this particular case one side effect seems to be "out of my way, I need code experience" No lie, I was literally pushed out of a door way so new grad could get her "experience" with a code.

I like working where I am at. But, seriously I am having such a hard time working with someone with "new-grad-itis" Please tell me this too shall pass? and if it is chronic? HOW do you cope with difficult co-workers?

[TazziRN, RN]

It too shall pass! Most have the second form and something will happen to put him/her in his/her place with a wide-eyed wake-up call.

[Dorito, ASN, RN]

Usually the Know it alls fall flat on their face in no time. After they fall their attitude usually changes. I'm teaching a class right now and I have one of the Know it all type grads. I'm sure in a couple of months she's going to stumble into something over her head and I hope this brings a change in attitude.

[Crocuta, RN]

I'm sure in a couple of months she's going to stumble into something over her head and I hope this brings a change in attitude.

My concern in these situations is that there is always the risk of someone who feels that they don't need any input or help charging forward blindly. They can quickly get in over their heads and rather than ask for help, they might keep trying to go it alone. In the wrong situation, it could be fatal for a patient.

[prmenrs, RN]

I used to see this every year in June and July when the new crop of Interns, Residents and Fellows came in.

The ones who came in quietly, looked around the NICU w/deer in the headlights eyes were so easy. "I don't know nuthin' about no premies, mam." "Come on, sweetie, I'll help you."

The ones that came off like, "I just graduated from medical school. Start groveling." were in for a tough time. And, no, not just from me. Every one from the attendings on down would be gunning for them. By Christmas, they were tolerable.

Ask some of the more experienced nurses about dealing w/the smart-ass newbies, or just follow their lead. They'll be standing back, just watching..... They WILL try to prevent harm, tho.

[Lurksalot, BSN, RN]

Prayer from a new grad in the ER:

Please, please, do not allow my foot to slip in my mouth or my head to get too big Keep my eyes wide open my attitude humble so that I may succeed... and not piss off too many of the nurses I someday want to grow up to be like. AMEN.

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Lurksalot said:

Prayer from a new grad in the ER:

Please, please, do not allow my foot to slip in my mouth or my head to get too big Keep my eyes wide open my attitude humble so that I may succeed... and not piss off too many of the nurses I someday want to grow up to be like. AMEN.

I think this may be posted in my breakroom tomorrow...anonymously of course:)

I am just having such a hard time working with this new nurse! I can't give her report or even general advice without her saying "oh of course I know THAT" complete with the eye roll! I tried to show her how to set up a room for a pelvic exam and she said "that is NOT the way we did it in school" She just got off orientation. According to her she did her preceptership at some level one trauma center and our little hospital is just "po-dunk"

Why does this bother me????

[debbyed]

After 20+ years of dealing with New Grads I've had plenty of experience with all three kinds. Your type:welcome: I adore. You may start out timid, but you watch, you learn and you grow into terrific ER Nurses. The second type :chair: tend to remove themselves from anything they are unsure of. These you'll find in the bathroom during a code. With an understanding, nurturing preceptor about 60% do succeed. The third type:angryfire ;The "I Know it All " type are dangerous. They don't ask questions, they just speed through things, not even noticing they are making mistakes. They need to be watched constantly. We had one recently that decided he would give PO contrast to a patient with a probable perf'd bowel. An astute new nurse stopped him and called over a preceptor. He immediately started arguing with that nurse who had been a nurse long enought to have delivered him. He just wouldn't shut-up:trout: He was taken off the floor, sat down and made to explain everything that could go wrong with what he intended to do. Than he was told what the worse case senario might be. That would be "DEATH" That humbeled him for about 2 days, Than he was back to being:thankya: his old know it all self. I'm really not sure he is going to make it. Very few of the "Know it all" make it very far. An a few of them end-up with law suits. Many experienced preceptors refuse to precept these folks because of the unacceptal risk associated with their behavior.

Take your time, Make sure you understand what you are doing and what the expectations are. You sound like you will be a good, caring, conscious nurse and any hospital would be thrilled to have you.

[Lurksalot, BSN, RN]

I think this may be posted in my breakroom tomorrow...anonymously of course:)

I am just having such a hard time working with this new nurse! I can't give her report or even general advice without her saying "oh of course I know THAT" complete with the eye roll! I tried to show her how to set up a room for a pelvic exam and she said "that is NOT the way we did it in school" She just got off orientation. According to her she did her preceptership at some level one trauma center and our little hospital is just "po-dunk"

Why does this bother me????

"Not the way we did it in school??!!"

Good grief! That sort of attitude would make a saint curse, I think you have every right to be annoyed!

Feel free to post my literary work, or slip it directly into select mailboxes.

[RN and Mommy]

I am a brand spankin new nurse and I can't imagine I know everything. I feel like I know about 1%! I have also worked on this floor as a CNA for 4 years and thought I would have it easier, but so far no! There is still so much I didn't realize about being a nurse and the patients we care for! It scares me about some new grads and how they think they know everything! It is those types who will get in trouble with something and be afraid to admit their mistakes and ask questions!!!!

[prmenrs, RN]

If she was so darn great, why didn't the Level I trauma unit hire her?? And, just how many pelvics did she do @ school?

[Pbelle]

I graduate in December from an LPN-RN program. I worked in a GI practice for 9 months after passing my LPN boards, and worked with an MA who, on a daily basis, informed me that 'she had ten years experience'. As she had begun a 2-year RN program locally, I knew that once she started her clinicals, with that attitude the RN's wouldn't tolerate that, and from what I hear, I was right! NOBODY likes a know-it-all!

Since my goal is to work ER/CC, I will be the first to acknowledge that I don't know it all, and will admit that. I've learned in my clinicals that by acknowledging my lack of experience/knowledge in an area, I've generally been treated with respect and helpfulness by the RNs/Docs/NAs I've come in contact with.

And if I do get a case of new grad-itis, would someone please kick me in the butt?!

Thanks!