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…
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When I Couldn’t Take It Anymore
When I landed my first job on the Med-Surg Telemetry unit, I was over the moon. It was the same floor where I’d done my med-surg clinicals and later my preceptorship. I already knew the layout, the routine, and more importantly, the nurses. It felt like coming home. What I didn’t recognize or realize was…
Nurse Goes Live Mid Med-Pass… and the Internet Lost Its Mind
Welcome back to NurseTok, where someone always knows better and sometimes they go live to prove they don’t. I ain’t the one to gossip, but you are hearing it from me on this one. The setup? A nurse, fresh out of orientation, decides to go live on TikTok while passing medications. Viewers start flooding the…
Common Misconceptions About Nurse Preceptors
Let’s be honest—nurse preceptors are often expected to be unicorns: wise, patient, clinically flawless, and available 24/7 with the perfect answer. But much of what we think we know about nurse preceptors is… let’s just say, not entirely accurate. Some things are kinda true, but not really. We assume they are just really experienced nurses….
Breaking the Cycle: How Task-Oriented Preceptors Create Task-Oriented Nurses
Task-oriented preceptors shape the way new graduate nurses function in the workplace—but are they preparing them to think critically or just complete a checklist? When preceptors focus solely on getting through a shift, they risk creating nurses who lack the confidence and clinical judgment needed for independent practice. The Problem: When “Just Get It Done”…
Meeting Your Orientee: Establishing a Positive Relationship
It’s never easy to be the new orientee, let alone a new nurse on the job. Remember the jitterbugs you felt? That fear of the unknown. The fear of making a mistake? No matter how long ago it was for you, the feelings are universal. We were all nervous wrecks anticipating what was to come….
Navigating Multiple Preceptors: A Guide for New Nurses
Navigating multiple preceptors as a new nurse is both exciting and challenging. As a new nurse, you may find yourself working with preceptors who each bring a unique style and approach to patient care. While learning from diverse perspectives can be enriching, it also brings challenges—especially when it comes to establishing consistency and confidence. This…
Choosing between multiple job offers
Congratulations! After all the hard work, you now have multiple job offers to choose from. While this is an exciting moment, it can also be overwhelming. How do you decide which offer is the best fit for you? Choosing between multiple job offers does not have to become a dragon that you must slay. In…
Why Seeking Advice on Nursing Specialties Might Do More Harm Than Good
Introduction: When it comes to choosing a nursing specialty, many new nurses or nursing students turn to their peers, mentors, or online forums seeking advice on nursing specialties. However, relying too heavily on others’ opinions can be a double-edged sword. No two nurses experience their specialties the same way—what might be a dream job for…
Choosing the Right Specialty as a New Graduate Nurse
Choosing the right specialty as a new graduate nurse is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your first job. This choice can shape your career trajectory, influence your job satisfaction, and impact your overall well-being. To help you navigate this critical decision, consider the following factors: your experiences during clinical rotations, your…
The Reality of Nursing School: Learning the Basics, Not Everything
Transitioning to nursing practice can often uncover the harsh reality of nursing school. Entering nursing school is the first step on a rewarding but challenging journey. It’s an intensive period of study where we are introduced to the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to provide safe and effective care. However, it’s important to understand that…