Questions for new nurses practicing <5 years

eyeball · Jan 8, 2011

hi everyone, i need to interview a new nurse about his/her experience as a new nurse. i have a few questions to guide the discussion... please feel free to answer a few, all, and/or add your own thoughts. thank you!
-[color=#333333]do you believe you prepared adequately for your job while you were in nursing school? why or why not?
nursing school was totally oriented about power trips on the part of instructors, teaching us obedience and jumping through hoops, and passing the nclex. clinicals were practically worthless in retrospect...
-[color=#333333]what was most helpful to you as you began to practice in the nursing role as a new nurse?
simply continuing to show up no matter how awful things were.
-[color=#333333]were you given adequate orientation and assistance by others?
poor, scattered orientation but got help from some very cool floor nurses. i learned who i could go to and who not to go near.
-[color=#333333]have you been able to find a mentor in your profession that has helped you to develop professionally?
i haven't found one yet.
- did you experience reality shock? what was it like?
yes. it woul;d take me hours to answer part 2.
- have you had any encounters with lateral violence and if so how did you handle it?
several. began to learn to go right back at them and told two nurses to stop beating up on me just because i'm new.
-[color=#333333]are you satisfied with your nursing career now? do you plan to continue to working as a nurse in the future? do you plan to study to for a more advanced practice role in the future?
still too new. i think about leaving every day and several times a day. i can't envision getting a higher degree in this field.

-[color=#333333] what advice or suggestions would you have to a new graduate as they begin their first job as a nurse?

don't take any garbage from anyone esp. other nurses. don't fight with them....just be very direct and describe any negative behavior and its effect on you as a new nurse. it tends to shut them up pretty quickly and they won't mess with you again.

change preceptors till you get a good fit.

thank people when they help you and if you can, help others. you may not be able to early on cause you're so swamped.

make sure you have a trusted kindred spirit who gets what you're dealing with (usually another nurse and usually not someone you work with) to be able to talk with and vent. i just had lunch today with one of my two best friends from n.s. and it was so wonderful to talk with her and blow off steam.