The *EXPERT* Beginner

[Kelly_the_Great]

Is anybody else sick to death of new nurses acting like they are somehow experts all the sudden because they passed a state board exam?

When I passed mine both times (LVN & RN), I felt like I knew enough to practice safely and now had a license to learn.

The further I continue in my career, the more I feel I am learning. Yet, somehow these folks just got out of school and they are the experts on charting, assessment, etc. but don't know their meds or skills??

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

Increased compared to what? New grad from prior generations?

[ICU56]

Yes and no.

Previously, I was a Firemedic and can be considered at least proficient at it. I can offer a lot in my area of nursing that comes from that experience. There are a lot of new nurses and nursing students who clearly act a bit too arrogant for the level of skill and experience they possess but we cant forget when dealing with them that nurses come from all walks of life and a new nurse might be an expert in a similar or related field.

The median age of my nursing class was about 35, almost everyone had a prior career. We should guide new nurses and help them to understand that school doesn't make one an expert and that they need to be open to learning more but we need to be open to learning from what they may have to offer as well.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I think listening to nursing instructors' stories of what nursing used to be can make some new grads feel like experts. When a teacher tells you that they used to call the doctors about rhythm changes and had to describe it to them because none of them could read EKGs, even in ICU (!!!!), and that it was easy to know every medication that there was because there weren't that many medications on the market, it makes the people learning in these classes feel like they know so much more. At least that's how listening to my instructors talking about how nursing used to be made me feel. Don't worry, I learned better. :)

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I'm of a similar mindset as AW-EMTP. I'm certainly NOT an expert nurse, I'm still in school! However, I am certainly comfortable calling myself a Paramedic. It's been a few years since I've been in the back of an ambulance, but give me a few shifts and I'll be mostly back in the groove of things. I'll certainly say that while I'm not perhaps an expert, I'm knowledgeable and able to make certain judgment calls that a new medic probably isn't ready to make yet.

As a beginning nurse, I know from my previous experience exactly where I am in my professional growth and development. I also know where I should be at graduation, and where I should be after a year or so. That's also the frustrating part of it all. Even though I know where I'll end up, I have to progress through all the professional learning and experience before I'm where I'm truly good at what I do.

At least I have an inkling that there's a LOT more that I don't know... but that which I do know, I'm happy to share so that others may learn.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Newer nurses seem to often act this way, in my experience, because they are seemingly given the sun, moon and stars as far as units who will only hire BSNs.

The charting is checkboxes, and communication is scripted. They are hired in lieu of long term nurses who are then let go or transferred.

And then it is "what is this critical thinking of which you speak?" That is the scary part of this process. So in a bit of a panic, often there's some bravado that perhaps is a coping skill--shouldn't be, but usually is.

RN's who were former Medics or LPN's usually have critical thinking skills. It is the changes in the delivery of care that can be a challenge. If you have a unit of nurses who are only used to scripting, then it can seem a bit egotistical when an RN with other experience pertaining to critical thinking skills speaks about a patient.

All that being said, take what you need from report and don't take what you don't need. Everyone should do their own good assessment. Draw your own conclusions.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

The scariest thing in the world is a new grad who thinks she knows everything! They don't know what they don't know, and if they think they know everything, you can't teach them anything!

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Ruby Vee said:

The scariest thing in the world is a new grad who thinks she knows everything! They don't know what they don't know, and if they think they know everything, you can't teach them anything!

Exactly!!

[Anona-mouse]

"D. No, you're becoming a newbie hater"

What I'm sick to death of are nurses that generalize about all students and all new nurses while seeming to revel in bashing anybody who would dare step into their unit with anything less than half the experience that they themselves possess.

Yes, I have been forced to tolerate arrogant students and arrogant new nurses but I have proctored and/or worked with many that were attentive and were fully aware of what they knew and what they didn't.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Anona-mouse said:

"D. No, you're becoming a newbie hater"

What I'm sick to death of are nurses that generalize about all students and all new nurses while seeming to revel in bashing anybody who would dare step into their unit with anything less than half the experience that they themselves possess.

Yes, I have been forced to tolerate arrogant students and arrogant new nurses but I have proctored and/or worked with many that were attentive and were fully aware of what they knew and what they didn't.

Really? I haven't encountered any nurses who bash anyone daring to step into their unit with anything less than 17 or 18 years of experience.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

Ruby Vee said:

The scariest thing in the world is a new grad who thinks she knows everything! They don't know what they don't know, and if they think they know everything, you can't teach them anything!

I'm going to be a new grad soon... and what I do know is somewhat impressive actually... but a lot of that knowledge wasn't gained through nursing school. I was once a new grad... medic actually, and I've seen the "know it all" over in that field... and I agree. They're scary. I used to work with one, and she wasn't willing to learn. Something I always tell nurses that I work with as a student, to please tell me if there are things that I can improve on, because I really do want to learn and improve what I do. Yes, that means I do know that there's lots of things I don't know...

The more I learn, the more I found out how much I don't know.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

akulahawk said:

I'm going to be a new grad soon... and what I do know is somewhat impressive actually... but a lot of that knowledge wasn't gained through nursing school. I was once a new grad... medic actually, and I've seen the "know it all" over in that field... and I agree. They're scary. I used to work with one, and she wasn't willing to learn. Something I always tell nurses that I work with as a student, to please tell me if there are things that I can improve on, because I really do want to learn and improve what I do. Yes, that means I do know that there's lots of things I don't know...

The more I learn, the more I found out how much I don't know.

"The more I learn, the more I find out how much I don't know" makes a great signature line, and it's very true as well. The new grad -- or experienced nurse -- who can tell me that is a good orientee!