Donna Cardillo - Your First Year As a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional

Praise for Your First Year as a Nurse, 2nd Edition

Should be required reading for all new nurses, those who are recent grads, and those reentering the workforce. It is the most honest, practical, comprehensive, and straight-talking book available for nurses.

LeAnn Thieman, coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Nurses Soul and Chicken Soup for the Nurses Soul, Second Dose

A must-read for all new graduates. Keep it under your pillow and read it again and again. Think of it as your go-to best friend and guide to beginand nourishyour career. It will help you fall and stay in love with the most wonderful career imaginable.

Donna C. Maheady, EdD, ARNP; founder of ExceptionalNurse.com

Gives the reader an education on what cant necessarily be gleaned from school in a real life format.

Arlene Koch, RN; new hire support and retention coordinator, CES, Methodist Medical Center, Peoria, Illinois

The tips and information provided will make a positive difference in getting a job, surviving the first two years, and getting ahead in the nursing profession. It is informative and exciting to read.

Leo-Felix M. Jurado, MA, RN, NE-BC; APN professor and chairperson, Department of Nursing, County College of Morris

Speaks to some of the most contemporary issues facing a new nurse: the anxieties of taking responsibility for patient-care decisions, the challenges of working with multidisciplinary teams, communicating and collaborating with physicians, and finding yourself as a professional within a fast-paced, not always welcoming environment. I recommend this read for any new nurse struggling to see the whole picture and wanting to make their mark on the profession.

Dr. Judy Boychuk Duchscher, RN, BScN, MN, PhD; assistant professor, Nursing University of Calgary

Also Available in the Your First Year Series

Your First Year as an Elementary School Teacher
Your First Year as a High School Teacher
Your First Year in Sales
Your First Year in Real Estate

Copyright 2001, 2010 by Three Rivers Press, a division of Random House, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Three Rivers Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
www.crownpublishing.com

Three Rivers Press and the Tugboat design are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.

A previous edition of this work was published in the United States by Prima Publishing, Roseville, California, and by Three Rivers Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York, in 2001.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Cardillo, Donna Wilk.
Your first year as a nurse: making the transition from total novice to successful professional/Donna Wilk Cardillo.2nd ed.
p. cm.
1. NursingVocational guidance. 2. NursingPhilosophy. I. Title.
[DNLM: 1. Nursing 2. Nurses Role. 3. Professional Competence.
4. Vocational Guidance.
WY 16 C2707ya 2010]
RT42.C32 2010
610.73069dc22 2010015562

eISBN: 978-0-307-59175-3

v3.1

To my husband,
Joseph,
who makes all things possible in my life.

Graduation and pinning are joyful events: filled with anticipationand uncertainty. You worked hard to get through nursing school and to pass the licensure examination. Your job interviews are scheduled, and, after reading this book, you will feel confident to meet with recruiters to discuss your first RN position. The day finally comesorientation begins and reality strikes a chord of uncertainty as you receive your first assignment. As you come to realize that every nurse has started out in similar circumstances and made it through the novice stage of his or her career, you begin to settle in to your new environment.

There will be times, however, when uncertainty extends beyond the actions that you can control. Take, for example, the fact that economic conditions and other factors can cause the job market for new graduates to fluctuate. If you live in an area of the country where new graduate positions are scarce, you will find yourself questioning all that you have read and been told about the nursing shortage. You may have student loans to repay and perhaps a family to care for in addition to supporting yourself.

entering the workforce are affected by the complex relationship between economics and the nursing workforce, the anticipated loss of RNs to retirement, and the aging population. Other chapters cover vital information to get your career off to the best possible start. Read this book from cover to cover to optimize the value of its many nurses stories and journeys. Make notes. Abundant lessons are contained throughout.

At any point in a nurses career, he or she may be faced with an unanticipated challenge. It is important to remain positive and seek solutions; when one door closes, many new doors open, and behind every door is another opportunity. One aspect of the nursing profession that will never change is the vast array of work settings and specialties to explore. When I first joined the nursing workforce as a new graduate, there was an oversupply of RNs. As a diploma school graduate, I chose to go immediately on for a BSN. I worked part time while in school, which gave me some leverage when I completed the degree and went searching for a full-time job. With only one job offer, I had to relocate and work nights on a unit I did not feel ready for (ICU). To my surprise, I found that I loved working nights and that the ICU was a good fit for me! Whats more, relocating gave me the opportunity to explore new experiences and friendships that I still cherish today.

Whether you are facing uncertainty about your ability as an RN or about landing your first RN position, approach the future with an open mind and explore every option available to you. Maintaining self-confidence and a positive attitude are essential. Strive to be the best nurse possible and you will not fail!

Congratulations and best wishes for a successful nursing career.

Diane J. Mancino, EdD, RN, CAE

Executive Director

National Student Nurses Association, Inc.

No one ever succeeds alone, and I am no exception. There are so many people to thank who have helped in immeasurable ways to make this second edition, as well as the original version, a reality.

Diane Mancino, for writing the preface. A very special thanks, for I appreciate your interest and enthusiasm in this project, along with your help and support, more than you know.

Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio, my friend, mentor, and role model, who is always looking to support and encourage nurses, including myself, to reach new heights. The original version of this book would not have happened without you.

Jeanne Beaugard and Rosemary Farrell, who are my friends and colleagues and two of the best nurses I know, for your support, input, feedback, proofreading, ideas, and enthusiasm about this project. You are both very special people.

To all the nurses in the United States and Canada who either shared stories and information or helped in some way, your generosity of spirit and commitment to nursing are outstanding. You are all a tribute to this profession and I admire each and every one of you: Donna Angelucci, Sue Ruck, Joan Orseck, Barbara Paragoris, Cheryl Szenasi, Ann Heiss, Carol Paterson, Jennifer Cooper, Sarah Perry, Rob Girotti, Linda Toth, Cathy Gallo, Lori Radcliffe-Allen, Claire Ocampo, Pat Bemis, Joni Boyd, Kelly Kay, Paula Murphy, Grant Tomlinson, Sue Bookey-Bassett, Bob Giusti, Michele Helias-Willem, Charlene Barbour, Lois Regan, Bob Smith, Paula Schneider, Vickie Gustafson, Leo-Felix Jurado, Donna Maheady, Patti Rager, Lucille Joel, Scott DeBoer, Shannon Sanford, Kevin Hawkins, Rich Cipollino, Sanna Henzi, Bill Getman, Pennie Coleman, Norma Rodgers-Hunter, Victoria Hunter, Barry Harris, Kevin King, Justine Mize, Honey Beddingfield, Scott Eddy, Tom Alicandri, Barbara Gleba, Cary Cook, Rebecca Caswell, Wendie Howland, Mary Stone, and Stacy E. Wahl and the North Shore University Hospital novice nurse night-shift support group.