When does one become an experienced nurse?

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

Just curious because I hear fellow new grads saying positions are advertising for "experienced nurses". When do you get considered an experienced nurse? And what levels are in between new grad nurse and experienced nurse?

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Employers often look for one full year of full time employment to be considered "experienced."

[Jolie, BSN]

JMO, but I would say that 2 years of experience in the same clinical area would qualify one as an "experienced" nurse. It takes about that long for a nurse to see and gain confidence in caring for a wide range of patients and situations in his/her chosen area.

That leaves the gray area between "no longer a new grad" at one year, and an "experienced nurse" at 2 years. But I do believe there is a difference.

My first employer required every shift to be staffed with at least 50% "experienced" nurses. It was a wise requirement. Newbies always had knowledgable back-up necessary to grow and learn. Patients were never without access to a skilled and knowledgable nurse.

[JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN]

According to my textbook for my BSN program: fresh grad = novice, new grad =advanced beginner (1 year in same setting), competent = 2-3 years in same setting, proficient= 3-5 years in same setting. Take that as you will. I don't necessarily agree with it, but I do know that I'm in my third year in the same setting and I'm only just now beginning to feel experienced. But I'm in critical care, so maybe the learning curve is tougher.

Having said all of that, I would not hesitate to apply for a position listed for "experienced" nurse, because you never know, you may be the most experienced one who applies!

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

One year full time work is what my current employer considered. I had just finished one year full time when I decided to move back to my hometown, and I'm glad I did since this meant I was "experienced" and I received relocation and sign-on bonuses.

[David13, MSN, RN]

JMO, but I would say that 2 years of experience in the same clinical area would qualify one as an "experienced" nurse. It takes about that long for a nurse to see and gain confidence in caring for a wide range of patients and situations in his/her chosen area.

That leaves the gray area between "no longer a new grad" at one year, and an "experienced nurse" at 2 years. But I do believe there is a difference.

My first employer required every shift to be staffed with at least 50% "experienced" nurses. It was a wise requirement. Newbies always had knowledgable back-up necessary to grow and learn. Patients were never without access to a skilled and knowledgable nurse.

In my opinion, this is a great idea for to promote safer staffing, although perhaps not always possible to accomplish. Most hospitals seem to put all the new graduate nurses on the evening or night shifts immediately following their orientation, while the nurses with more seniority are given the generally more desirable day shift. I have always thought that it was somewhat unsafe to have all the less experienced nurses on the night shift as this is generally the time when there is also the least support staff available to assist with any emergencies.

In reply to the OP, I think the definition of "experienced" varies a great deal based on the individual nurse, the specialty, and the person asking the question. I think a good ball park figure would be a minimum of 1 - 2 years in a specific clinical setting would be necessary to be considered experienced by most.