Related: Learning, New Grad, New Nurse, Orientee, Preceptor, Residency, Seasoned Nurses, Stereotypes, Student Nurse, Success

According to preceptor Kim Rapper, RN, BSN, new nurses should expect their preceptors to act differently at the end of the precepting experience. Rapper points out the signs of a healthy precepting relationship at the end of orientation—and they might surprise you.

Related: Career, Job Search, New Grad, Nursing Jobs

how smart is it to go into the navy (or any other military branch) after i graduate from nursing school? Im not tied down to anyone. I dont have any kids. I would like to travel for a bit, but i ultimately don't want to spend too much time away from texas.

Lori

Related: Authority, Management, Morale, New Grad, New Nurse, Nurse Relationships, Nurse Support, Power, Professionalism, Sabotage, Scapegoat, Stress, Truth

When I first graduated nursing school 25 years ago I started out on an adult Med/Surg unit. Because I worked as a nurse aide during school in the float pool, I knew many of the nurses on that floor to begin with. However, by the time I started there was a different nurse manager (back then "head nurse") and some newer faces.

The head nurse was [...]

Related: Attitude, New Grad, New Nurse, New Nurse Tips, Non-Verbal Language, Orientation, Orientee, Preceptor

Understanding your preceptor's non-verbal cues can make or break your precepting experience. Kim Rapper, RN, BSN, shares how a preceptor's attitudes can influence the way they interact with the orientee—and offers advice on what an orientee can do about it.

Related: Authority, Communication, New Grad, New Nurse, New Nurse Tips, Orientation, Orientee, Preceptor, Problem Solving

Some preceptors just don't get it right. They don't let you ask questions. They demean you. They don't provide you with adequate resources. Here preceptor Kim Rapper, RN, BSN, shares the signs of a preceptor who may be struggling to train you right.

Related: Assertiveness, Authority, Boundaries, Communication, Confidence, Conflict, Feelings, Hostility, New Grad, New Nurse, Patients, PCT, Power, Professionalism, Respect, Stress

I am a brand-new nurse--just two weeks off orientation. I am 20 years old but look a few years younger. I have had issues with two PCTs who are probably in their 50s, and have worked together on my floor for about 30 years. I haven't had issues with any of the other PCTs.

One issue: They feel insulted if I ask them if they did [...]

Related: Career, Interview, Job Search, Networking, New Grad, New Nurse, New Nurse Tips, Night Shift, Nurse History, Nursing Associations, Nursing Jobs, Nursing Shortage, Nursing Trends, Resume

RealityRN member Auntymai writes, “I haven't been able to find a nursing job and the situation doesn't look good. I've been in contact with my professors at school, and I've been told that the new graduates are not able to find jobs either,”

It’s a sentiment voiced repeatedly by our RealityRN community—and the phenomenon is perplexing. After all, nursing students have been told there’s a nursing [...]

Related: Authority, Communication, Conflict, Emotions, Feedback, Feelings, Learning, Mindset, New Grad, New Nurse, New Nurse Tips, Nurse Support, Orientation, Orientee, Preceptor, Problem Solving

If you're tempted to ask for a new preceptor, watch this video first. Experienced preceptor Kim Rapper, RN, BSN, suggests you ask these questions to help you determine if you ought to persevere in the relationship or seek a preceptor who will equip you for your future.

Related: Anxiety, Confidence, Failure, Fear, Mistake, Morale, New Grad, Orientee, Second Career Nursing, Stress, Weaknesses

I am a second career nurse—53 years old and a new grad.

I landed a job at a teaching hospital because I love to learn and felt it would be a good place for me. But I feel like I have bitten off more than I can chew.

Every day I make at least one mistake. I’ve already made two medication errors which resulted in my having [...]

Related: Career, Learning, New Grad, New Nurse Tips, Nursing Jobs

Over the last few years I've seen many new graduate nurses get jobs in some pretty intensive areas of healthcare, such as theater/recovery, emergency room, intensive care, pediatrics, and neonatal, to name but a few.

The young graduates are all smiles and full of excitement at landing such interesting jobs. Of course, the units taking on new grads often provide extra time to orientate the new [...]