What do you do to Nurture the Newbies???

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

AS someone who hit the 5 year mark last year, and had some good and BAD experiences in nursing, I think I am sitting the fence between being a newbie and being an experienced nurse. It concerns me that nursing does not have the time/energy/concern to nurture the new nurses and mentor them so that they have a positive nursing experience from the very beginning of their careers.

So I ask you more experienced nurses, What do you do to help the newbies??

For myself, I try to make every experience I can a learning one for the new grad.

I THANK those of you who have the patience to try to explain things to those who need the education. I have met some LOVELY nurses who really did just want to make sure that things were done properly.

My mom, also a nurse, talks about some of the "refugees" from a floor that I used to work on. She thinks that these nurses might be scarred because of working on that floor - I know I am!

I am just curious to see what other people say about this.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I'm still a newbie myself, but have been the recipient of nurturing from the experienced ones. They have given me a lot of help and support and positive feedback, as well as advice on organization and time management. They have been available to me if I ever have a question, and have never made me feel stupid for asking.

[ebear, BSN, RN]

I used to stop and take a good hard look at how they were doing not only in their jobs but emotionally. A pat on the back and a piece of hard candy with a smile went a long way! It let them know that I did indeed care and was there to help and support them through "newbie hell". Sometimes in the evenings, I'd call their homes to check on them and tell them that they were doing just fine and would survive. I NEVER let the other nurses abuse them or be rude--as they would promptly find their buttocks in my office getting a chewing. At the end of preceptorship, I tried to remember to bring them a little gift. I think it encouraged them a lot...

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

I used to stop and take a good hard look at how they were doing not only in their jobs but emotionally. A pat on the back and a piece of hard candy with a smile went a long way! It let them know that I did indeed care and was there to help and support them through "newbie hell". Sometimes in the evenings, I'd call their homes to check on them and tell them that they were doing just fine and would survive. I NEVER let the other nurses abuse them or be rude--as they would promptly find their buttocks in my office getting a chewing. At the end of preceptorship, I tried to remember to bring them a little gift. I think it encouraged them a lot...

THANK YOU for doing these things- I am sure your orientees appreciate it too!

[bigsyis]

I've always tried to be patient with any and all questions from newbies, and try to make myself available to them as a resource, should they wish. I also listen to the things they say because, while I am the experienced one, they are the most recently educated one, and you never know what you might learn!

[Djuna]

I read your title wrong.

I thought it said 'What do you do to Torture the Newbies' :innerconf

[VivaRN]

I've also been fortunate enough to be nurtured when I was a new grad. Probably the nicest things my co-workers did for me was not make me feel stupid when I made an honest mistake or asked a question.

They were also perceptive enough to know when I could use some help, even if I didn't say anything. As a new nurse it taught me to help others without waiting for them to ask - and what a powerful gesture that can be.

I know a lot of experienced nurses get burnt out on orienting because turnover is so high. Though, to that new nurse, you are helping them shape their practice as a real live RN. Hats off to everyone who nurtures the next generation.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I try to give a thorough report for new nurses; the kind that points them in the right direction to begin their shift. In ICU this is possible.

I personally dislike getting a vague report with important details omitted.