New Grad Programs

I just finished a rather long 12+ week orientation/preceptorship for critical care. I have to say, although I was nervous out on my first day alone, I didn't feel incompetent. I can't say enough for good training- I have friends that haven't had much, and I'm sure that isn't such a good feeling. I'm greatful to my employer for investing the training in me. I think all nurses should be allowed the training to make them feel competent.

These are very helpful to new grads. There is so much to learn in nursing school, that school cannot teach you what you need to know to start as a new grad in a speciality.

Once, long ago when nursing was taught more like an apprenticeship with extensive hands on learning from the very beginning, new grads were better prepared to start work with minimal orientation.

Now employers/hospitals are filling in the skills gap by offering internships. I think they are a great idea.

I just finished my 6 month ER new grad program in October. I definitely recommend it. I had a mentor and a teacher. I felt confident because I had someone to lean on and I didn't feel alone. My preceptor was also my advocate and stood up for me at the beginning when the other senior nurses were trying to "eat their young." Fitting in with zero experience is sooo hard, so it helps to have an experienced person on your side.. Someone who knows how hard you work and how much you want to learn. If you do a new grad program, make sure you give your 100% every single day. Ask questions. Don't do anything without your preceptor that you don't feel comfortable doing (like hanging a new medication that you haven't seen before). Communicate well with your preceptor. Ask for negative feedback (along with the positive) so that you can fix things. Last but not least, realize that if you choose a new grad program, it may be difficult to change hospitals before one year is up. A lot of hospitals will hire nurses with one year of experience, and they really don't have a place for nurses with less than a year. You aren't a new grad, but you don't have that golden year either. So be careful picking your new grad program. I thought that I would be able to move from Missouri to California and find a job easily after my 6 month new grad orientation was over.. Not so... Almost everyone has told me that I need a year of experience. So be careful, and know that you might be stuck for a year at the first place you choose. But for sure do a new grad program. I can't imagine not doing one.. Kinda dangerous.