social life , can assist you in managing stress . Many novice nurses have friends who are also nurses ; use off days to enjoy time with each other , bond over nursing stories , and maintain a life that does not revolve around your career . A nurse ’ s well-being is imperative . An organization called Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation is an online support group program for nurses all over the country . Within the program , nurses can participate in challenges to improve physical activity , rest , and quality of life , which can ultimately improve a nurse ’ s overall personal and work life ( Health Nurse Healthy Nation , 2021 ). Utilizing resources like Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation can help to improve well-being inside and outside of work .
Challenge # 5 : Questioning your Chosen Profession Information overload , inadequate work environments , or maybe the job is not what was expected are among many reasons why new nurses question their career path . Whatever the reason may be , many nurses think , “ What did I get myself into ?” once or twice when they are new in their careers . So , what should you do if you find yourself questioning your chosen profession ?
How to Overcome : Most hospitals expect nurses to stay in their current position for at least one year before transferring to a new position . Let the beginning jitters run their course ; as previously mentioned ; it takes time for newly licensed nurses to feel completely comfortable . Some new nurses who have always thought they had a passion for one area of nursing may find it is not what they expected . One component the nursing profession does not lack is options . Explore different environments in nursing , as it can never hurt to shadow a different role to determine if a specific job is a good fit . There are many opportunities to advance in the profession . The Johnson & Johnson Nursing website offers an extensive comparison chart of a variety of nursing specialties , including jobs that require an advanced degree and those that do not ( Johnson & Johnson Nursing , 2021 ). You can take a short quiz on the website to determine what type of specialty in nursing might fit best for you .
Conclusion New nurses beginning their careers face a list of expectations , such as managing a full assignment , promoting patient safety , and adjusting quickly to the unit culture ; further , the obstacles they face may hinder them from meeting their goals . Novice nurses need to be aware of the common challenges they may encounter when starting their careers and how to handle these situations . Getting in the habit of asking questions and participating in time management strategies can combat feeling overwhelmed , while bonding with peers and remaining confident with polite confrontation can help tackle bullying . Focusing on self-care can help promote a positive work / life balance , and exploring options in nursing can assist you in finding your niche . Whatever challenge may present itself , know that you are not alone . Every nurse has been in your shoes . Remember , you will not be a “ new nurse ” for long ! n
Acknowledgment I would like to thank my professors at Kent State University , Tina Saunders , MSN , RN , CNE , GCNS-BC , and Marcy Caplin , PhD , RN , CNE , for sharing their feedback and knowledge throughout the manuscript writing process .
References American Association of Colleges of Nursing . ( 2020 ). Fact Sheet : Nursing Shortage . Retrieved from https :// www . aacnnursing . org / Portals / 42 / News / Factsheets / Nursing-Shortage-Factsheet . pdf
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