New Grad Nurse

Published

Hello everyone! I recently graduated from my RN program and about to write the NCLEX in Canada. I've been a bit nervous to start applying for jobs and when I finally do get a job, getting back into the clinical setting. I feel like I have forgotten a lot already from being out of placement and there has been a lot of skills and such I have never done throughout my program. I know nurses are suppose to help on the floor but I didn't always feel a welcoming hand from some to show me things and felt like they automatically think you're dumb. Can anyone suggest of what I can do to ease my transition into practice again and being a new grad nurse? Or any tips on gaining some confidence with this matter? I often worry about this which stinks. Thank-you so much! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello everyone! I recently graduated from my RN program and about to write the NCLEX in Canada. I've been a bit nervous to start applying for jobs and when I finally do get a job, getting back into the clinical setting. I feel like I have forgotten a lot already from being out of placement and there has been a lot of skills and such I have never done throughout my program. I know nurses are suppose to help on the floor but I didn't always feel a welcoming hand from some to show me things and felt like they automatically think you're dumb. Can anyone suggest of what I can do to ease my transition into practice again and being a new grad nurse? Or any tips on gaining some confidence with this matter? I often worry about this which stinks. Thank-you so much! :)

It sounds like you have some previous experience, but then you say you just graduated. So, I'm not sure exactly what you mean? Could you explain?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Little of this... little of that....

Where ever you end up you will have an orientation period. Working as an RN is very different than being a student and I've found (as a recent grad myself) is you get a lot more respect from the other nurses once you are no longer a student.

Just be humble, admit what you don't know never pretend to know something you don't. EVERYONE has something to teach you from the CNA's to all the other professional staff - be open and eager to learn from them all and you will do fine.

I'm not sure where you are in Canada - but if the job market is anything like where I am (also in Canada) it is a rough go getting a position. Start applying now and do not be picky. I applied for over 100 positions and ended out getting 1 interview and subsequent position as a casual in a float pool - It was not where I wanted to be, but it got my foot in the door and the experience I gained from that position was been amazing and in retrospect it was exactly where I needed to be.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks peripateticRN! I really needed to stumble on your post.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sorry, when I say experience I mean clinical placements from my last year of my RN program. Other than that, I have never worked as I have just graduated at the beginning of December. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank-you for your post! I hear the orientation period is pretty good. Did you do anything extra to learn things or just seek the help of others on the floor? I'm from Ontario. I'm hoping to get on to a medicine floor to get exposure to a lot of different things but I will take a job anywhere. Thanks again :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Little of this... little of that....

Not much 'extra training' needed per se, but I did write things down when I was on shift that I wanted to look into in depth when I got home - Meds, disease processes and so on. I did do my ACLS training in my first year and asked to be trained in additional competencies so I could be more useful in the float pool (ie training for Obs room, peritoneal dialysis etc).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Keep in mind that you will have a preceptor when you start. In nursing school, the staff nurses really shouldn't have been expected to help you -- the clinical instructor is there to help students. The nurses' job is to care for **patients.** That isn't the case with a new grad -- and that's why preceptors exist.

As for things you didn't get to practice while in school, you can communicate that as a learning objective. Even if it isn't your pt, lots of times the preceptor will arrange with the pt's nurse for you to go and observe/assist. The preceptor would watch your pts while you are gone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don't you need to be a registered nurse before applying to jobs? if they are a new grad would that mean they are not registered yet?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Keep in mind that you will have a preceptor when you start. In nursing school, the staff nurses really shouldn't have been expected to help you -- the clinical instructor is there to help students. The nurses' job is to care for **patients.** That isn't the case with a new grad -- and that's why preceptors exist.

As for things you didn't get to practice while in school, you can communicate that as a learning objective. Even if it isn't your pt, lots of times the preceptor will arrange with the pt's nurse for you to go and observe/assist. The preceptor would watch your pts while you are gone.

Don't you need to be a registered nurse before applying to jobs? if they are a new grad would that mean they are not registered yet?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion