Is it just me , or does it seem that soooo many new nurses are posting questions about being stressed and overworked ? I understand that nursing is a stressful job but my goodness. I'm not complaining about them I'm just concerned about why their stress level seems to be to the point many of them want to leave nursing. Is it that they are not getting the proper training for what the job entails.(4 year and 2 year) I know that the nurses I precept come to the unit with little experience with pt care. It seems the little things stress them out because they have never done them. Therefore, somehting like a critical pt, completley discombobulates them. Many times they can't get past a simple procedure let alone critical thinking. I've done ER /ICU/OHRU for almost 30 years now. I'm " Old", and many days I feel busy and overworked but, I can still keep up with the best of them. Nursing is no more stressful now than it was in the 80's. Sometimes I just want to say , put your " I'm a nurse now, panties on" , stop whining and start learning. If you didn't learn it before you got to the hospital, you need to learn it sometime.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
so count me among those who think the expression "nurses eat their young," needs to die. it isn't fair, but even more importantly, it shifts the responsibility. the system by which new nurses enter the field is brutal. maybe it needs to change, like some sort of residency for nurses. but i wasn't inept because my co-workers were mean or my instructors were incompetent. i was brand new at something really hard, and for all the help others could, and did, give me, it was up to me to learn to swim. i suppose that's what's meant about "big girl panties (or boxers)."
still, ya gotta let me whine, a bit...
well said! preceptors can only give you so much --- they cannot spoon feed you with information and experience. no matter how compassionate or caring the preceptor, the orientee still has to do the work. the expression "nurses eat their young" seems to be repeatedly offered up as an excuse for failure by those who simply didn't try very hard in the first place.
It is truly enlightening to see the compassion and patience that you have. I'll bet you will make some new nurse a great fall guy for your own imclompetencies. Looks like someone needs a hug, can you find someone willing....?
I think one of the problems is that, with the nurse shortage, new nurses are taking positions that should be reserved for more experienced nurses such as ER and ICU. No wonder they are stressed!!!
There is some truth to this. ER and ICU really is not for those short on experience
It is truly enlightening to see the compassion and patience that you have. I'll bet you will make some new nurse a great fall guy for your own imclompetencies. Looks like someone needs a hug, can you find someone willing....?
That sounds a little negative here, can we try for more positivity
Yes we all need a hug.
No Nurse do not eat their young, I am positive about that.
If you didn't learn it before you got to the hospital, you need to learn it sometime.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
well said! preceptors can only give you so much --- they cannot spoon feed you with information and experience. no matter how compassionate or caring the preceptor, the orientee still has to do the work. the expression "nurses eat their young" seems to be repeatedly offered up as an excuse for failure by those who simply didn't try very hard in the first place.