New Grad Nurse Arrogance

[gizmojamz]

Recently, a friend of mine passed her NCLEX and I'm wondering how common it is that newly licensed nurses develop arrogance after passing the exam. I won't say she isn't allowed to "feel herself" a little bit or be proud of herself after such a feat but it's been almost a month now and I feel like this arrogance trickles into our conversations even outside of topics regarding nursing. If I disagree with something or she is wrong on a topic, it's "please don't lecture me on this" or "please stop" or "girl I know what I'm talking about." It's such an odd change in behavior and sometimes it feels like she is belittling me because I haven't finished school yet.

Don't get me wrong, she is a good longtime friend who has even given me helpful tips as I approach my final semester of nursing school this fall and I don't believe that she will be the type of RN who will be arrogant while on the floor that she might be a risk to patients but I think I just really miss the humbleness she had as a student. Has anyone else ever had this type of encounter with their nurse friends? Why do we have to be arrogant to uplift ourselves? Is it insecurities? Is she nervous? She's more of an extrovert and I an introvert so I'm not sure how I can open up this conversation. Should I just leave it alone? How long do you think this will last?

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

She's still in the "honeymoon" stages of passing NCLEX.

Let her be.

Years of nursing school finally paid off, and that exam was the last hurdle of anything academic related at this time.

I would recommend she should go on vacation to celebrate. That's what I did.

I bought myself a beautiful amethyst ring to celebrate, still have it and most important it still fits me! I was not arrogant because I was a very anxious, insecure new nurse so aware of all I didn't know even though I had been on the Dean's list in nursing school. School doesn't begin to teach you all you need to know! Even now after over two decades I still learn new things!

[The Curious Murse, BSN]

I passed the NCLEX last month, and I was euphoric for 2 weeks. But right now I'm in midst of the job search, and anxious to start working. I'm too poor to afford a trip right now, and prefer to learn as much and as quickly as possible.

[TruvyNurse]

I think we all get a little cocky after passing NCLEX. Her first job will knock her on her butt a time or two. I know mine did! If shes still behaving in a way you dont like, tell her! Honesty goes a long way and she may not even realize the way she is coming across.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

Full stop. The fact that you and this girl talk doesn't make you "friends". If you have a poor opinion of her and can't discuss it with her face to face, the friendship has run its course. Move on.

This might be my favorite advice EVER.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

New nurse arrogance is indeed a thing. It's usually more of a problem for preceptors and nurse educators, though, than for friends. If you cannot talk to her about this, are you sure she's actually a "friend"?

[guest907278]

passing NCLEX =/= being an excellent nurse. Field experience is so different from school. What helps a nurse the most to become effective and successful is attitude. Being open to new learning and admitting mistakes. Nursing is, after all, a lifelong learning process. Yes I agree, she should take at least a few weeks of vacation and reprioritize. Or have her first job. She'll have such a surprise when she starts like that :))

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

Something to consider is the possibility that she isn't the one acting different, but perhaps you are acting/viewing things differently because of your own feelings (jealousy? envy?) about her accomplishments.

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

I think that when you graduate and see what the "real world" is like, it becomes very clear just how ridiculous nursing school is. I think things that felt like life and death to you in school suddenly seem so silly, and the way you learned things sometimes get thrown to the wayside once you're actually a nurse. I haven't taken NCLEX, but I've been doing a preceptorship all summer, and it's become really clear to me that real world nursing is so so different than school. Her attitude may be a reflection of that. That definitely doesn't give her a free ticket to be obnoxious, but that may be why she's acting that way.

You are correct when you say that the real world is different than nursing school. That isn't true for everyone. While state requirements only allow instructors to teach certain concepts etc., an instructor worth their salt can help the student understand that it can be a mine field out there.

My instructors prepared me well and much of what they taught me held true. I did not take NCLEX myself and passed my boards just fine. But I studied like there was no tomorrow!!

It's a fine line between experience and arrogance, My friend, for us too. Tread it carefully.

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

Something to consider is the possibility that she isn't the one acting different, but perhaps you are acting/viewing things differently because of your own feelings (jealousy? envy?) about her accomplishments.

Now, now, play nicely, Children. (smile)

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Sounds like a pretty mild case of a common new nurse condition..RNitis! It's fortunately usually pretty short lived and resolves itself when the new nurse begins to realize real life nursing is nothing like what is learned in school.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Something to consider is the possibility that she isn't the one acting different, but perhaps you are acting/viewing things differently because of your own feelings (jealousy? envy?) about her accomplishments.

I hear what you're saying. When I was a student (and had a tech job), some of my fellow techs were ahead of me in school and transitioned into RN roles at the same hospital. I believe I behaved well enough, but to be honest, there was a little envy there...

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

My advice would just be to listen to her and let it be. I have seen some new nurses brag about what they saw or done in their new jobs. They occasionally throw in some clinical jewel to try to impress others. 99% of the time, I just let it go--it is their chance to show off their accomplishments, and it usually passes fairly quickly. The 1% of the time I comment is when they talk about something blatantly unsafe...for example, "the other day was the first time I got to push IV potassium!!"