Sink or Swim!

[Yellow90]

This type of attitude or saying in the nursing workforce does NOT show teamwork. We all went to nursing school, graduated, and took the NCLEX. We all deserve to swim and if we sink than our teammates should be there to help us float. Everyone says it is a team effort, but we all know the truth. Sometimes it is not.

We have all started with no experience. Unfortunately, you have those experienced nurse who forget what it feels like to be new. They forget that intimidating feeling new graduates get when they realize they are not in nursing school. They realize they have their own license and will make their own decisions for the patient. Yes, they will feel overwhelmed and possibly want to cry. They might even think nursing is not for them. However, with an awesome team you will make them feel like they can sail into the sunset. The saying you will either "Sink or Swim" is so negative and discouraging. Your new co-workers will only drown if there is no one there to help them.

We should all be understanding, compassionate, kind, and most of all supportive of each other. I think that saying sink or swim should not even be a phrase in the nursing community.

Our duty as nurses is to not only advocate and support patients, but also each other. Nursing is a profession of compassion. The phrase "Sink or Swim" does not sound compassionate. A licensed nurse is someone who has an education and passed a state board test. A nursing career requires education and credentials. Nurses work hard to get their careers started and to be where they are. Nursing is a career where many have sacrificed things to get where they are. Nurses should not be drowned out of the profession they chose to get an education for.

When there is a new graduate nurse in your facility help them swim, show them the ropes. Lift them up, when they are down.

[jj224]

Hi

I precept new grads in the ICU where I work. I'm also a clinical instructor. I have been an ICU nurse for about two years - so I don't forget what its like to be new. I do believe, and tell my new grads and nursing students is that we are all here to work as a team, but eventually you have to pull your own weight. After a certain amount of time off orientation, if its something the new grad has seen and done before, it is sink or swim. I understand if there's some new equipment or what not that they haven't seen, but when push comes to shove and theres a code happening with someone's life on the line, it IS sink or swim. The things you are supposed to know you need to know like the back of your hand. If you need help, ask, but you shouldn't be asking for help doing the same things over and over. Use the opportunity to learn and ask questions. If you have more questions, ask - I'd rather answer a bunch of questions than hold your hand while you draw blood from an a-line after I've shown you and done it with you 20 times.

We all have a right to be new. But depending on the setting you're working in, you might have to catch on quickly - swim..

[Guest219794]

This type of attitude or saying in the nursing workforce does NOT show teamwork. We all went to nursing school, graduated, and took the NCLEX. We all deserve to swim and if we sink than our teammates should be there to help us float. Everyone says it is a team effort, but we all know the truth. Sometimes it is not.

Hi-

I agree with the idea behind your post- That new folks need encouragement and help. It is in everybody's interest, experienced, new, and pt's, to help a new nurse develop.

But, nobody "deserves" to swim. Finishing school, passing NCLEX, and getting a job doesn't entitle anybody to anything. Once hired, you deserve a chance to swim, an opportunity to learn, and to prove yourself.

Despite making through the first few hurdles, not everybody is cut out for the job. Some people deserve to sink. Some are lazy or incompetent.

And, some new grads get hired into positions not appropriate for them as individuals, and it takes them a few tries to find a good fit.

I am assuming you are a new grad. Congratulations on your accomplishments and your new opportunities. I hope you were hired in an environment where experienced nurses understand the importance of helping new nurses meet their potential.

[Yellow90]

I guess i am new. i have been a nurse for 1 year in surgery and 6 months on tele. I just noticed this with one of the new grads on my floor. . I didn't mean hold their hand after orientation the whole time. I just meant overall, the phrase is negative. There are more encouraging ways to help a new grad and that attitude frightens new nurses when they hear it. I always try to see if my team members need anything or help a new grad.

When you can tell a coworker is overwhelmed, lend a hand. For example, hey do you need help with you blood sugar checks. Do you need anything I can help with? Something simple as that. Lift your teammates up when they are overwhelmed with their day.