Do you remember what it was like to be a new nursing graduate? One day you were a student, and ‘poof,’ one day you were a nurse. Expectations ran high and responsibilities ran even higher. The cushion of ‘just being a student,’ and having your instructor ultimately be responsible, is gone in an instant. Do you remember the anxiety, fear and unsure feelings of those first few months?
When you are well into your own career and overloaded with your own patients, it is easy to forget what it was like in the beginning. But wait, we need your active participation to help us integrate our new staff, now more than ever! In a profession that is one of the most trusted and respected in the world, it is embarrassing that we have a phenomenon known as ‘nurses eating their young.’ The well known, but little talked about, epidemic of senior nurses making work life even more challenging for their young counterparts. I am hopeful that the general public is unaware of this, as it would be rather embarrassing for us!
Why do you think this exists? Do we feel that new grads must ‘pay their dues,' that because no one supported us, we don’t need to support them? Is it our own insecurities? Are we worried they have newer, fresher knowledge, and that they will want our jobs?
Whatever our reasons, whether conscious or not, many of us are hurting, rather than helping, our new nurses integrate into our institutions. With the shortage of nurses so prevalent, wouldn’t it be in OUR best interest to help these ladies and gentlemen through their first, and possibly most challenging, year in the profession?
Dr. Judy Boychuk Duchscher, RN, PhD, has made her life’s work helping new nurses transition into the workplace. Beyond this article, her compelling research and tools for integration can be found on www.nursingthefuture.ca.
What’s in it for you? Well, supporting the profession, giving back to the nursing community, and doing the right thing, for starters.
To help your new staff not only survive but thrive, communication, patience and empathy need to be evident. While you are busy with your own case load, consider a small amount of time and energy well invested by helping them. You can help by:
· Validating where they are coming from - “ I remember how hard it was to be new.”
· Make yourself available for questions or venting - “Would you like to have a coffee together?”
· Enthusiastically include them in social activities outside of work - “Come with us, you can ride with me!”
· Anticipate their needs - “Are you comfortable doing that procedure on your own?”
· Be ultra-patient with their questions
· Let them accompany you when you have a unique assessment, but don’t tell them everything. Let them assess - “Do you notice anything unusual about Mrs. Jones today?”
· Praise and compliment - “Good job on that!”
· Trying to keep their assignments/units consistent for at least the first 4 months
· Do not schedule them as the sole nurse for breaks or for high acuity patients, and have seasoned staff close at hand.
If you can help a new nursing grad transition, not only will you likely have a fan for life, but you will be contributing to the profession; they will be more likely to pay it forward when they are senior staff, and you will be helping patients/residents/clients by ensuring that they have competent, capable and confident care.
You will be making a difference, and isn’t that what nursing is all about? Share your experiences with other nurses in the Decompression Room - a non-judgemental, supportive outlet to decompress after a grueling, taxing, challenging shift.
Nurses, please leave a comment below sharing your thoughts on this article!
About the Author: Stephanie Staples is a personal growth & wellness speaker, nurse & coach who helps healthcare professionals live their lives to the fullest! Email her for a complimentary Quality of Life Assessment.
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