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 [...]

Related: Attitude, Confidence, Fear, New Grad, New Nurse, New Nurse Tips, Orientation, Orientee, Preceptor

Kim Rapper, RN, BSN, has years of precepting experience; she understands that preceptors have fears, too. In this video, she shares common fears that every preceptor experiences--and strategies for matching preceptors with orientees.

Related: Attitude, New Grad, New Nurse, Orientation, Orientee, Preceptor

Kim Rapper, RN, BSN, has years of precepting experience; she knows the struggles between preceptors and orientees. In this video, she shares what orientees don't know about their preceptors--and how this knowledge could lead to a more positive precepting experience.

Related: Confidence, NCLEX, New Grad, New Nurse Tips

Want the inside scoop on the NCLEX? As a nursing instructor, I recently interviewed some of my graduates about their experiences taking the exam. Here’s what I found out -- and I offer my advice for facing the one thing standing between you and your license:

Think Critically
Many nursing graduates have a great deal of experience answering NCLEX-like questions. Surprisingly, though, several new grads found the [...]

Related: New Grad, New Nurse, Nurse Relationships, Student Nurse

I am a second degree nursing student.  On August 2, 2008, I will be a new nurse. Fifteen months of full-time school with classes and clinicals Monday through Friday (and at times, Saturday) is intimidating. But I was told over and over by friends, family, and faculty that I could do it!  After all, it’s only 15 months—and a person can do just about anything [...]