Difficult New Graduate Nurse Year

on June 25, 2010 - 8 Comments
Categories: Beginning nursing

I’d love to find out how our graduates are finding things in their first year out.

Likewise, how are seasoned RN’s finding our new graduates?

One of the more common questions that seems to arise with nursing students, particularly in their last year, is whether it’s better to obtain a position in a grad year program or similar transition package, or whether it’s better to just try to find employment as an RN and worry about preferences later on.

Having been on a grad program myself & worked in many different clinical areas, I’m of the opinion that to start with I don’t think it’s particularly necessary to obtain a specialised grad year rotating program, as long as your clinical area has good support for new nurses. That’s not to say that it isn’t nice to land one of these jobs & try out some different areas, just that it doesn’t really matter so much if you don’t.

What’s more important is that you receive good support from your place of employment. Whether this is through debriefing sessions, supernumary time, buddying up with seniors or ongoing education, the important thing is that you feel like you are practising safely and know where to go for answers if you are not sure of something.

Additionally, remember that the transition period is always the hardest – it’s important that you stick things out & don’t take things too personally.

Even though it may not be to the same extent, I’m sure the difficulties in a graduate year are not exclusive to nursing. Similar professions such as physiotherapists, radiographers, students who are studying for medical coding certification, or any number of a whole host of allied health positions come across similar issues in their first year out.

So, what are your thoughts or experiences – if you’re a new nurse, how is your graduate year going so far?

If you have grad nurses in your clinical area, how do you think they are going??

What can be changed or improved, and do you feel like we are practising ‘safely’?

8 Responses to “Difficult New Graduate Nurse Year”

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  1. Ross
    June 25, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    If you’ve done a bit of time in a clinical area as a new RN, it makes it easier to get into a different area that you’re interested in.

    I would suggest landing a job in any area that you can, eg general medical, hooking in for 6mths or a year, then go approach the clinical areas that you’d like to be in. Show a lot of interest, and NUM’s will be much more inclined to take you on with some experience behind you.

  2. J C
    July 2, 2010 at 8:46 pm

    Hi
    well in response to how is your first nursing year for all those thinking of doing a bachelor of nursing THINK AGAIN . I graduated in Nov 2009 and have no nursing job as an RN and get this i work for Qld Health, a GPA of 6. I have applied to all the Grad Programs and interstate to,also applied for level 5 nurses job but i to get any job i need experience and to get experience i need a job as an RN. Although the Gov is advertising for more nurses on television they fail to tell you that they want EXPERIENCED NURSING STAFF. I have been informed that 300 graduates from one uni and 400 from another in Brisbane did not gain employment. So what now ????? I am seriously thinking of enroling in a masters of mental health is my only option because without a RN position I loose my clinical skills. ANY ONE ELSE IN THIS SITUATION ????

    CHEERS

    jc

  3. David
    July 5, 2010 at 9:58 am

    Hi jc,

    I wonder is the lack of graduate positions a symptom of the financial crisis?
    I recently went to the nursing expo in Brisbane and they said graduate positions were harder to get this year than in the past.
    She mentioned it been cyclical and hopefully it will improve when the economy improves.

    I guess that is no consolidation for you. Hopefully you perseverance will pay off.

    Good Luck,
    Dave

  4. @rdjfraser
    July 7, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    Hi Ross,

    I ducted out of my new grad year, and am hiding in graduate school for two years before hitting the floor. However, I do know my friend Angela is actually using her blog to talk about her new grad year at http://fourletterslater.com/ – she even moved across the country (Canada) for her new job.

    Can’t wait to hear what others say,
    Rob

  5. Judeb
    July 22, 2010 at 10:33 am

    Hi JC
    have you thought about coming down to Tasmania to nurse?

  6. jessica
    August 10, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    I graduated in 2006 in QLD and had no problem getting a graduate program, nor did any of my friends. And now 4 years later I see 3rd year nursing students who are pulling their hair out over the stress of not getting a graduate position or any RN job next year. Its just horrible to see these hard working students going through all this stress along with the stress of exams and assignments. I spent the first 3yrs after graduating working in a variety of settings and have now comfortably settled into specialising in intensive care nursing. One of the new graduates in my department took a position in ICU because that was the only position she could get and she struggled to find her feet despite the great support in our department because the speciality of intensive care can be quite demanding to a new graduate. Now she doesnt know if nursing is right for her and we are potentially going to lose this fantastic nurse. What a pity!

  7. Ellie
    August 12, 2010 at 7:51 pm

    JC You are not alone! There are hundreds of new grads in Aust right now without jobs! And thanks to AHPRA, those of us lucky enough to land a mid-year position are about to lose those since AHPRA can’t process applications to save their lives! Go on Julia Gillard’s facebook page and Tony Abbotts as well. Start talking! You’ll see I put up some comments on their pages!

    I’ve had friends apply to NT, WA, NSW, SA and VIC. (I don’t know anyone who has tried to go to Tas sorry, it is a bit too cold for us QLDers I think :-P ) and all those have been knocked back because the states are suppose to look after their own grads first, not grads from other states. And when there are grads in every state unable to secure a job, well I’d be very unhappy if I found out a bunch of grads from interstate had been given jobs over QLD grads!

  8. Ellie
    August 12, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    Oh and please nobody talk to me about going rural, I tried!!! Mt Isa, Toowoomba, Roma, Charlesville, Bundy, Rocky, Mackay, Cairns… just a few of those who were not hiring for mid year!!! When there are 1000 new grads at mid year, you think some of these rural hospitals would open their arms. Aren’t they suppose to be desperate for nurses? Is Brisbane and the GC the only places that hire new grads at midyear? I’m more than prepared to travel 1000 km to get a grad year… if there was one available.

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