New Nurses - student needs input about your experience in the workforce

[jahall3]

Hello, I am a nursing student in my last semester of study. I need to ask a few questions of new nurses who have recently graduated from nursing school for a school assignment. I would really appreciate any new grads who would be willing to answer the questions below. Of course please add any other advice you would give a new nurse just entering her first job!

Thanks again!

1. What is your title?

2. What are your nursing responsibilities?

3. How long have you worked in this unit/department?

4. What population of patients do you serve?

What is the nurse to patient ratio? Do you think that is reasonable to the level of care required?

5. What is your normal work schedule?

6. How did you decide on this job?

7. Did you go to work immediately or did you have a few weeks or a month before starting your job?

8. Did you have an orientation program coming into this job? What did it consist of?

9. Were you assigned a Preceptor assigned and if so, for how long? How did that work?

10. What continuing education and certifications are required for this position?

Are these covered under a tuition or continuing education program? Are classes offered on site at the place you work?

11. What advice would you give to a new graduating nurse?

12. What was the most difficult adjustment you had to make from nursing student to graduate nurse?

What advice would you give a new nurse to avoid these difficulties or best ways of meeting these challenges?

13. What helped the most from your nursing education to adjust to the role of graduate nurse?