Dyingbreed

I have been around for a long time in this field, 20 years to be exact. I started ER when I was young, just turned 40. Take this whatever way you want but the problem at hand is a great majority of new grads especially the ones over the last few years are lacking too many essential skills in not only the clinical aspect but life/social aspect. A new grad is a great asset to the department (not 10 at a time), I was the only new grad accepted into my ER and trained a lot longer by the entire staff for years to gain skills and experience. Nurtured, disciplined, and molded into what is to be expected of a true ER nurse. My hospital was a very busy high acuity intercity trauma center and the department was made up of nurses who earned their stripes and the privilege through many different avenues of nursing to be a part of this elite team. I had some previous experience in EMS and that's the only reason I was allowed the opportunity to be considered for this team. Don't get me wrong I needed a lot of guidance and training but I had the basic skills and knowledge of what healthcare, emergency medicine and general human interaction in a medical setting that was at minimum required. My unit built me into what I am today. Like many before me many came after. The thing my unit did right was limit how many they brought in at a time. That is not how things are today. I was everyone's baby and we all had a mutual respect for one another. They were proud to help me grow and when I cross paths with them today we laugh how their baby is all grown up. There were shortages then, travelers, agencies, people left and others came as they do today. This is nothing health care hasn't seen and won't see again. Healthcare is different these days and quantity overruns quality. Nursing standards have been going down hill long before COVID and the quality of what the schools are producing is shameful to this profession. Hospitals are hiring too many new grads at a time for what the department can handle and yes, we all have to start somewhere but what the graduates aren't understanding is they shouldn't apply for a job because it's available if they are not qualified. Society seems to think it's acceptable to bring someone with absolutely no idea of basic life skills let alone nursing skills into an environment that is understood to be a critical setting and can be at times a matter of life or death for the patients. The new generations feel entitled to blindly apply for a position they have absolutely no entry skills for. That is disrespectful to the profession and cocky. They certainly know better but exhibit no regard to the ethical aspects and lack self awareness. Next thing you know the staff feels obligated to train mass amounts in a short period rather than wanting to train for the better. That puts a lot of weight on our shoulders and I can say I am blown away at the competencies deeming them qualified to enter any healthcare setting let alone a critical one. Yes it is our assumed we hold a responsibility as medical professionals to nurture and teach our future colleagues but also disheartening to be considered responsible for producing something great based on what is coming in as our young. Many aspects of the system are to blame and it's certainly not the students fault the schools are not like they used to be. You don't know what you don't know still applies but these candidates also had some type of training prior and what are they thinking? They studied and practiced and have to have some idea of what they are trying to become but who is allowing them to believe suddenly after you pass the boards magic happens?!

A very select few new grad rns are cut out for ER. Just because you want to work there doesn't mean you should. There are way too many being hired to fill shortages and it's a scary situation. Healthcare is a scary place and now you have the blind leading the blind. Just because you graduated nursing school( a basic expectation ) does mot make one fit for this area. The common misconception is they need support and guidance so they can learn, and be kind and patient with them. LOL. The level of arrogance and entitlement they display is shameful and it's dangerous. Sub par if any basic nursing skills in 80% of the ones over the last few years. These skills should not be acquired here or assumed to be possessed with a completion of schooling. We are accused bullying them or we are just getting them through orientation so we can be staffed and this giving them a false sense of security which is beyond the burden of training here. These girls/guys are gonna lose their licenses before they even have a chance to renew them, and it's not fair to them either. Mainly because they think they are out here making it based on lowered standards of training and care because a body is a body to upper management and we are overwhelmed with workload anyway. Then you cut them lose and there is assumed experience with little or no monitoring. Er is no longer for the elite. Playing T ball qualifies you for playing major leagues these days and everyone gets a participation trophy.