I am being contacted by more and more New Grads and Newly Licensed Nurses (practicing for less than one year) who have been reported to the State Nursing Board for a variety of issues. Most of the time its practice related issues.
Does this point to a flaw in nursing education?
Does this point to a flaw in nursing orientation at a particular facility?
Does this point to a lack of bridge and adequate transition from student to professional nurse?
What do you think?
How do you make the transition more smoothly?
1. Research your employer. Don't just accept a position because the pay is good. Look at nursing staff turnover and the workplace environment. If its a unit full of new grads and the most senior nurse outside of management has been there only a few years, ask yourself why?
2. Some workplaces are just plain dysfunctional and toxic and its not your job to "fix" the problem. Don't get caught up in the drama, just move forward whether its to a different unit, floor, or area within the same facility or a different facility. A perfect work environment does not exist however you are not looking for perfection, just an environment where you are comfortable.
2. Ask questions and be engaged while you are working. Nursing is not just a job where you show up and work. If you have this mindset, you are headed for trouble.
3. If something feels wrong, even if everyone else is doing it, don't do it. If you know its wrong (violation of policies and procedures, standards of safe nursing practice, Code of Ethics, Nurse Practice Act, etc.) don't do it although it may be considered routine, custom, common place, or acceptable on the unit, floor, area, etc by other nurses.
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