Views of a New Graduate Nurse: The Value of Mentorship

Despite the predicted shortage of nurses in the near future, many healthcare systems still lack a supportive and comprehensive mentorship program. I had heard the old adage “nurses eat their young” many times in nursing school, but was still ill-prepared for what I would encounter when I first entered the profession.

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A Difficult First Shift

I had just graduated from nursing school after obtaining my associate degree in nursing. I was a new graduate and eager to enter the world of nursing, optimistic, energetic, and willing to ask questions and learn new things. I was thrilled to immediately land a job at the local medical center within the cardiac care unit, but also quite nervous about my position in such an area that required such skill and expertise. I had been assured that the orientation program was comprehensive and that I would learn everything that I needed to know, but I was still apprehensive.

My first shift during the orientation program on my assigned unit is one that has had a great impact on me throughout my 15 year nursing career. I was assigned a mentor for that first shift that proved to be not only unsupportive; she ended up being virtually non-existent. After beginning the tasks of reviewing charts and orders and completing the assessments on my own, I had several questions. I search all over the unit for my nurse mentor, but she was nowhere to be found. I decided to ask some of the other nurses my questions, but they seemed irritated by my questions or too busy to acknowledge my obvious distress. Somehow, I made it through my first four hours of the shift and decided to take a lunch break. I had still seen no sign of my mentor. After purchasing my meal in the cafeteria, I was pleased to see a small group of people from my unit eating lunch together. I walked up to the group and asked if I could join them. I was informed that they were “saving the seat for someone else.” I noted some laughter and amongst the group while some shifted uncomfortably in their seats. At first I was so shocked that I didn’t know how to reply. I thought “Is this grade school?” I went to another table nearby and ate alone.

When Things Fell Apart

After returning to the unit, things did not get any better. I again asked a nurse if she had seen my mentor and she had replied that I should probably check with Dr. Smith (fictitious name), as she was usually with him. She then gave me a wink, referring to a more intimate than professional relationship. I decided to continue with administering the patient medications and charting assessments. As I began to review the rhythm strips on the patients, one of the LPN’s came running up to me and asked me to follow her into a patient’s room as she did not think that he was doing well. I rushed in after her to find the patient unresponsive and no longer breathing. I immediately called a code and the next couple of hours were a blur. Ironically, my nurse mentor eventually showed up during the code. I immediately asked where she had been and she ignored my question. The resuscitation attempts were not successful and the patient passed. I left work that day and emphatically sobbed in my car. I decided that I was a horrible nurse and hated the profession. I felt like a complete failure.

This kind of workplace hostility toward new nurses is unfortunately common and can drive talented people away from the profession entirely. Research into emotional intelligence and nurse bullying has shown just how damaging these dynamics can be.

Finding Support

Thank goodness, I had many other nurses within my family that encouraged me to continue. My family and I moved to another area and I began the next step of my nursing career in a long term care/rehabilitation facility. From the start, I knew things would be different. I found the staff friendly, inviting, and eager to mentor. In no time, I gained confidence in my skills and abilities and quickly moved into leadership positions. The difference a supportive work environment makes for novice nurses cannot be overstated — it is often the deciding factor in whether a new graduate nurse stays in the profession.

Becoming a Mentor

I am now a program manager at a large medical center and back in school working on my bachelor’s degree in nursing. The lessons that I learned that first shift have impacted my own practice. I routinely make a point of introducing myself to any new nurses that I see throughout our facility. I attempt to engage them in conversation and assess how they are feeling. I have also found that mentorship is a key element in any position and have volunteered to mentor many newly hired nurses and program managers within my facility and in several other states. Understanding the power of preceptorship and fostering mentoring relationships in nursing education has reinforced everything I learned through experience.

Building the Future of Nursing

I have learned of the impact that nurses have on each other and the importance of building a strong nursing workforce for the future. Nursing is a difficult and demanding profession and we need to emphasize our care for each other as well as the patient. Creating a supportive and compassionate work environment for “our young” will encourage a strong future for nursing.