New nurses being an asset to unit

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

I am an experienced nurse but two new nurses (off orientation in the last month) helped me a lot during my last shift. I asked them to assist me with my other patients while I cared for one who should have gone to ICU but there were no beds. Both were wonderful in checking on my other patients and they of course had busy assignments also. I could not assess two patients in the first 3 hours of my shift and one of the new nurses did that for me. I had to take my patient for a CT scan and they watched my patients. I got a verbal report of how my patients were when I got back, better than the experienced staff would have given me. I thanked them both just wanted to say that new nurses can be an asset even if they are new and overwhelmed.

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I am an experienced nurse but two new nurses (off orientation in the last month) helped me a lot during my last shift. I asked them to assist me with my other patients while I cared for one who should have gone to ICU but there were no beds. Both were wonderful in checking on my other patients and they of course had busy assignments also. I could not assess two patients in the first 3 hours of my shift and one of the new nurses did that for me. I had to take my patient for a CT scan and they watched my patients. I got a verbal report of how my patients were when I got back, better than the experienced staff would have given me. I thanked them both just wanted to say that new nurses can be an asset even if they are new and overwhelmed.

Thanks!

Its good to hear that you recognize that we have something to offer too. I try and help the older nurses out when I can because I want them to help me when I need them to explain something to me.. and I think this works out for the most part.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Snowfreeze,

You have no idea how wonderful it is to hear this from a "seasoned" nurse! I am a new grad (May of this year), and I work on a telemetry unit. I am lucky in that I had 2 clinicals on my unit when I was in school, which decided me on working here when I graduated. As students we were welcomed by the staff so warmly, and they were genuinely eager to guide us and teach us as opposed to other hospitals where we were treated as a burden. I wanted to work in that positive atmosphere and hopefully pass on to other students that same sense of welcome that I received. I was hired contingent on my graduation, and started on that unit with alot of other new grads from various schools in my area.

I wish that your attitude towards new nurses was echoed by all nurses with years of experience, but sadly, it isn't. As a new student, my first patient was the most terrifying thing I ever had to face...until...OMG I am a REAL RN, with all accountability on me....but without the experienced RNs that work with me, I would not be there today. They supported me, guided me, and yes, they let me know what I needed to work on, but as a rule, I am treated as an equal, and a valued member of the team. In fact, I am quite good at difficult IV starts and blood draws, so lots of them come to me for help with this. If I am caught up, and I see other RNs overwhelmed, I ask if I can help, since they do the same for me.

Again, thank you for recognizing us as assets instead of problems.

Amy

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Specializes in critical care.

I agree! It is so nice to hear this from an experienced nurse! I work in IICU, and am a recent grad (Dec 2006). I go out of my way to help people anyway that I can, and sometimes feel as though I haven't contributed enough. THANK YOU

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Specializes in ER, Medicine.

:nuke: That is so wonderful to hear. Being new is overwhelming and frustrating to say the least. It means a lot that someone out there does appreciate and value new grads. We need more nurses like you!

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