Rocky First Year in Nursing

[IrishE]

I am writing because I need advice for a friend of mine. Nursing has been a lifelong dream of hers. I was there to share in the excitement of passing boards and accepting the first nursing position. She is worried that this position has not prepared her well in setting a foundation as a nurse (in areas of skill development/enhancement as well as confidence in her role as a nurse) In listening to the topics that she discusses with me, she is becoming disillusioned by young and old colleagues that offer much criticism (often not constructive) but are not sharing in their knowledge and wisdom that they have from being in the profession longer. She has just one year of work experience. What can she do to get her career as a nurse on a steady track? I've heard of nurses doing internships and possibly refresher courses.

If these are not an option, what would you recommend?

[llg, PhD, RN]

If she is unhappy with her job and with the support her employer is providing for her continued development, she should discuss it with the appropriate people at work as a first step. Who knows? Maybe she is doing just fine and is being an overly harsh judge of herself. The "real world" of nursing can be tough and many new grads go through a period of disillusionment with their work and with their colleagues. They envision a wonderful career in a wonderful work environment full of supportive colleagues. When they are faced with average people doing an average job of juggling work responsibilities and raising families, the honeymoon ends fast and some people get very discouraged.

It may be that your friend has truly taken the wrong job and needs to find a more supportive work environment -- or at least one she will love enough to put up with the troubling aspects.

But her first step should be to find some people at work she can talk to -- either formally or informally -- perhaps an experienced nurse who can provide a little informal mentoring -- perhaps a staff development educator or clinical specialist who can give her some advice as well as some education and support -- perhaps her manager who can add her perspective.

If such people can't help your friend get back on track, then perhaps she should consider changing jobs

llg