…and how to overcome them.
Being a newly graduated nurse can be both an exciting and overwhelming experience.
After years of studying, completing clinical rotations, and passing the NCLEX, it’s finally time to enter the workforce as a licensed nurse. However, the transition from the classroom to the hospital floor can be daunting, and it’s not uncommon for new nurses to experience a range of fears during their first year of practice. Here are the most common fears and how to deal with them.
Fear of Making Mistakes
One of the biggest fears new nurses face is the fear of making mistakes that could cause harm to their patients. This fear is understandable, as nursing is a profession where mistakes can have serious consequences. New nurses may hesitate to ask questions or seek help from more experienced nurses for fear of being judged or incompetent. However, it’s important to remember a few things:
- Everyone makes mistakes.
- Seeking guidance from more experienced colleagues is a sign of strength, not weakness.
To overcome this fear:
- Take advantage of their employers’ orientation and training programs. Get involved and ask lots of questions.
- Review policies and procedures related to your practice setting and seek feedback from colleagues.
- Build a knowledge base and develop critical thinking skills to make sound clinical decisions by continuing to learn independently. Look up things you don’t understand.
Fear of Not Knowing Enough
Nursing school provides a solid foundation of knowledge, but it’s impossible to learn everything there is to know about nursing in a classroom. New nurses may worry that they don’t know enough to provide safe, effective patient care. It’s important to remember that learning is a lifelong process, and it’s okay not to know everything.
To overcome this fear:
- Seek out resources such as textbooks, journal articles, and online learning modules.
- Take advantage of your employers’ or professional organizations’ continuing education opportunities.
- Collaborate with your colleagues to share knowledge and experiences and participate in interdisciplinary rounds to learn from other healthcare professionals.
Fear of Dealing with Difficult Patients or Families
Dealing with difficult patients or families can be a challenging aspect of nursing that new nurses may not feel fully prepared for. It’s important to remember that patients and families may be scared, anxious, or in pain, and their behavior may reflect these emotions.
To overcome this fear:
- Develop strong communication skills, and learn techniques for de-escalating tense situations.
- Seek guidance from more experienced colleagues.
- Observe experienced colleagues and use the techniques and phrases they’re using to communicate with patients and families.
- Utilize resources such as social workers, chaplains, and patient advocates to help navigate complex patient and family dynamics.
Fear of Fitting In
Starting a new job can be intimidating, especially when it’s in a fast-paced and high-stress environment like a hospital or clinic. New nurses may worry about fitting in with their colleagues, finding their place on the healthcare team, and earning the respect of their peers.
To overcome this fear:
- Participate in team-building activities, attend social events, and seek out mentorship opportunities.
- Take advantage of interdisciplinary rounds and other collaborative activities to build relationships with colleagues and learn about other healthcare professions.
It’s Normal, and It Will Pass
It’s normal for new nurses to experience fears and doubts during their first year of practice. However, it’s important to remember that these fears are common and that resources are available to help new nurses navigate the transition to practice.
With time, experience, and colleague support, new nurses can overcome their fears and develop into confident and competent healthcare providers.
To get you through, download the digital stickers above!
You got this!
