The Preceptor sets the foundation for the success of the Novice Nurse (defined as beginners who have had no experience of the situation in which they are expected to perform). This can be a new nurse graduate or the nurse with 25 years’ experience who decides to take a job as a Psych nurse after 12 years serving in the role of a Med/Surg nurse. Browsing a few social media sites, I’ve noted new graduates are feeling they are inadequate, overwhelmed, and that our organizations have unrealistic expectations. This feeling is only reinforced by the multitude of articles suggesting the new grad is to blame, as if what they are feeling is their fault. I beg to differ.
It is my stance that the success or failure of the novice is greatly dependent on their orientation experience. It is the foundation we as preceptors and mentors set that determines their ability to make it without feeling inadequate, overwhelmed, or like this is all unrealistic. I am in no way implying that nursing is a cake walk. In no way, shape, or form is it ever that. However, our novice nurses should not be hitting the floor feeling these things. They should be properly prepared for things that normally happen; multiple admissions, taking a 6th patient, working without a nursing assistant, contingency and so on and so forth. We all get overwhelmed, yes, but the things these nurses are posting, most of them, they should have already been prepared for.