The Top Difficulties of Being a New Grad Nurse
Being a new grad nurse is extremely difficult and takes a toll on your mental health and confidence in yourself. Being new to nursing you will be putting yourself in uncomfortable situations and having to constantly learn. From the pressure of making critical decisions to the emotional toll of caring for patients, this blog article will discuss the struggles of being a new grad RN. We will explore the realities, awkward moments, and growth that will shape the start of your nursing career. Whether you're a new grad nurse yourself or simply curious about the realities of becoming a nurse, this article will give you some valuable insight into nursing.
Nursing Student
Transitioning from a nursing student to a new graduate registered nurse can be strange. When you get on orientation you might notice that you instantly have more freedom and autonomy to make decisions and try to prioritize care. So you will notice your transition to being new and begin to gain some confidence in yourself when you learn more information. You will also start to apply everything from nursing school to reality. Taking the knowledge from nursing school and applying it to your specialty will help you gain foundational nursing skills. Additional and continued education will help you transition from the scared new grad nurse, to now a normal nurse on the floor that is still trying to learn.
Autonomy in Nursing
Often times when you are first starting out as a nurse you are just trying to survive. This includes trying to just handle everything by yourself. You want to teach yourself the ability to handle a full patient load without getting behind. Sometimes though, this can cause an extreme amount of stress and a potential for patient safety risks. If you are falling behind or overwhelmed with an assignment, you can ask your charge nurse and fellow coworkers for assistance. It also is a difficult struggle trying to not burden techs or other nurses because they have their own assignments as well. Remember, you are not dumb or slow, you are just new. One of the significant challenges faced by new grad nurses is the desire to prove their competence and be self-reliant. New grads are often excited to be fresh out of school and want to be independent and do nursing skills. However, the fear of inconveniencing or relying too heavily on other nurses can create a sense of self-doubt. New grads nurses try to balance independence but should have recognition of where to seek help and guidance.
It took me a long time to finally just ask for help if I needed it. It sucks being behind on an assignment that feels like you shouldn't be, but things pop up and happen such as new labs, meds, or even the patient having a lot of questions. I am still learning to ask for help because I was a CNA myself and I do not want to burden them with any tasks. I want to show techs that I will not be the nurse that asks for simple tasks because I am lazy. So finding that balance is the hardest struggle.
Nursing Time Management
Prioritization and time management are one of the first lessons you learn as a new graduate nurse. Learning to balance a full patient load, emergencies, and unplanned events comes with time. In order to manage your time, you have to find a routine that works well for you. Different nursing specialties have their own routines. Try to group your care as much as possible by giving medications a little early and a little late so they can be given at the wrong time (as long as it is a medication safe to do so with such as ibuprofen). Learning how to chart quickly and learning charting shortcuts will also come with time. Ask your coworkers if they know an easier and smarter way to chart more time efficiently. Nursing time management is one of the most difficult goals to reach, and some days will be easier than others. Time management skills will come with time.
Nursing Mistakes
It is okay to make mistakes. In fact, every single nurse makes them, has made them, and will continue to make them. Owning up to a mistake, or acknowledging them will make you a better nurse. Learn from your mistakes and go to your charge nurse as a resource to ask for help and advice. Some fellow coworkers might not be very nice about you making a mistake and try to say rude things but ignore them. So if you accidentally didn’t unclamp your antibiotic, go ask your charge nurse what to do if you need to retime the medication or give the next one early. If you accidentally give too much of a drug, you can report the incident so they can look into the medication to see if it is a system error. Do the meds look the same as other meds? Are there too many doses in one vial? There are many factors that lead to medication errors and patient harm. So owning up to a mistake and reporting it, can maybe prevent the next new grad nurse from making the same mistake.
Seeking Resources and Continuing Education
Continuing education and seeking valuable resources are essential for the growth and development of new grad nurses. Nurses have a lifelong learning mindset and should stay up-to-date with the latest advancements, evidence-based practices, and industry trends. This can be done by joining the organization to your specialty and being involved in meetings and organizations within your career. Pursuing additional certifications, attending workshops, and conferences, and participating in online nursing communities can expand your knowledge, create networking opportunities, and provide a supportive environment for professional growth. You can take this information that you learn and take it back to your unit. By actively seeking resources and engaging in continuing education, new grad nurses can enhance their skills, build confidence, and provide high-quality patient care. Remember, the journey as a nurse is a continuous one, and the pursuit of knowledge is a powerful tool that propels us forward in our careers.
New Graduate Registered Nurse
Being a new grad nurse is challenging and can strain your mental health and self-confidence. Transitioning from the controlled environment of nursing school to the unpredictable reality of patient care can be overwhelming. New grad nurses face pressures ranging from making critical decisions to handling the emotional toll of patient care. However, this article sheds light on these struggles, highlighting the growth and learning opportunities that shape the early stages of a nursing career. By embracing a mindset of continuous learning, seeking support and resources, and recognizing the importance of self-care, new grad nurses can navigate these difficulties and can become competent and confident professionals.
