How to support your loved one through their first year of nursing.
Support your loved one through their first year of nursing.
Written by Kristen Westphal, RN, HSN, BSN
Did you think supporting your loved one through nursing school was challenging? Well, here you go by their side for their first year as a nurse. Make sure you buckle up because the first year as a nurse can be just as grueling.
If you need support as a new nurse, share this with your loved ones, and know that you are not alone during this season.
Shift Work
A new nurse's pace is usually slower than they would like, and often that means falling behind on tasks and charting. Many nurses work exhausting 12-hour shifts. Overnight 7 pm to 7 am shifts are common amongst new nurses.
These long shifts take a toll on mental and physical stamina. Learning new concepts and practicing tasks can be daunting for the first, second, or third time with little rest or sleep.
Nursing is mostly "learn as you go." New anxieties will likely arise during the first few years on the job.
Imposter Syndrome
Some nurses can experience imposter syndrome, especially during the first few years of practice.
Imposter syndrome manifests internally and is related to the pretense of not having the overall knowledge and ability needed to do tasks within their scope of practice.
This syndrome can correlate with anxiety, depression, and mental stress, contributing to career-related burnout. Learn more about imposter syndrome.
How to support your loved one
Supporting a loved one can look different from person to person.
You may already know what makes this particular person in your life tick, what soothes their soul and fills their bucket. One idea is dropping off their favorite beverage at their new place of employment.
Why not pick up a box of coffee and some treats for their shift buddies?
Such a gesture can help your new nurse become part of their team and encourage new friendships to bloom. Sharing goodies with their coworkers can encourage a willingness for future collaboration and teamwork.
When your new nurse needs assistance, coworkers will remember someone went out of their way for them to do something nice and be willing to do the same in return.
Here are a few more ideas I've formulated to assist you in getting a head start. Be sure you tailor the support for the nurse in your life.
● Run a bath for your new nurse after a long shift.
● Encourage them to be very involved in their self-care.
● Extend an ear to hear out how their day was. Listen to their struggles and resist the urge to have the answers.
● Encourage them to seek mental health assistance when needed.
Summary
As a nurse, I find myself on the precipice of engaging with my niece as she embarks on taking the NCLEX and starting her career. I hope to add encouragement during her journey and support her in any way I can.
The stress of becoming a new nurse while learning the ropes during the first year is a challenging feat to embark on. An encouraging team of loved ones can make all the difference to the new graduate nurses in your life. Many nurses have stories of how it can be soul-crushing while learning the ropes during the first year of nursing.
Caring for a caregiver in your life is not always smooth sailing during the first year of nursing, but the payback will be tenfold.
Sources:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/a-psychologist-explains-how-to-deal-with-imposter-syndrome/[KVW9]
Kristen Westphal, RN, HSN, BSN is a new nurse after working as a flight attendant for 23 years. She describes becoming a nurse as the best decision she has made. Kristen lives in Chicago and works as a school nurse for Chicago Public Schools. She works as a freelance health content writer during her free time. Her true joy comes from adventuring out of the big city and into nature with her best four-legged friend, Wilson.
Thank you for reading Patient Education Essentials, the Write Shift RN blog.
Disclaimer: This article was written as a guest post for Write Shift RN LLC's blog. The information in it may not be wholly fact-checked or edited, allowing the reader to see the writer's work and skills firsthand. This information is not intended as medical advice. It is for informational and educational purposes only. Always talk to your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers about any questions or concerns you may have regarding medical conditions.
