Welcome to the world of nursing! The best advice I can give you is to find a job where you have a long orientation. If you can find one that offers a new grad residency program, go for it.
This is a new model in new nurse orientation and is beginning to appear in hospitals all around the country. It’s a year long program designed to support new nurses through the ups and owns of their first year as a nurse.
Most orientation programs are six months or less, and usually about six months is when new nurses suddenly feel overwhelmed and stupid. And just at the point where they need even more moral support, they get thrown into the real world to sink or swim. Unfortunately, too many times they give up.
Whether or not you are lucky enough to find such a program, do remember that you need to give yourself a WHOLE YEAR before you’re going to begin to feel comfortable in your new role. Somewhere about six months down the line you’ll really feel like this has been a mistake. Don’t listen to that little voice!
Give yourself credit for what you have accomplished and time to feel comfortable. About nine to twelve months into it you will begin to find your confidence again. And you will see that you ARE a good nurse!!!
Research has shown this to be the case with the majority of new nurses so you are not alone! This will be the time to really seek out a mentor or to go back and review some of your text books. This will help you to realize that you do KNOW what you are doing.
Remember also that nursing is a lifelong learning experience. There will always be new things to learn how to do and procedures that change. You will have to leave your comfort zone often. But in doing so, you are doing something that makes a difference in someone’s life everyday. Take stock in the little accomplishments everyday!!! You are a NURSE!
photo: Justas Cekas stockxchng.com
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Well done! CONGRATULATIONS to ALL Grads!
Hey young Grads
good show I say
you’ve done it now
you’ve showed us how
You’ve had some good times
You’ve made some good friends
now some will go off
to do it again
So good luck in college
You can do it
Have a real wild time
but don’t over do it
Try to make friends fast
many of the early ones
will be the ones
who last
Unless you love
to get up early
don’t schedule your classes
way too early
And try to get to class
as much as you can
you’ll be glad you did
then you’ll deserve a cold can
But try not to party
too much before class
you’ll more likely attend
and you won’t be an ass
If you fail the easy Calc
don’t take the harder one
just keep your eye on the ball
between all the fun
You’ll be entering
sort of a fantasy land
of reading, writing, and thinking
with those who can lend a hand
So, do your best with grades
but at least finish the task
and soon another graduation
will come at last…
So
CONGRATULATIONS
GOOD LUCK
and HAVE FUN!!!
🙂
.