Intro from Erin Smital, Nursing Professional Development Educator & Nurse Residency Coordinator, RWHC:
I want to take a moment and share an incredible experience I have recently been a part of here at RWHC. We offer a Nurse Residency Program that is designed for the new graduate nurse. It is structured around monthly learning sessions, with a focus on providing an interactive, reflective and enriched learning environment. The program is designed to enhance recruitment/retention of the new graduate nurse and support their transition into a competent practitioner. I am proud to announce that we recently completed year 17 of this program and in doing so asked that our participants write an open letter to "The nurse struggling right now... ". The original intention of these letters was to share them with the year 18 participants. After speaking with the participants and reviewing the letters, I realized that these kind words of support and encouragement are meant for a larger audience... they are meant for every nurse, in every position, in every stage of their career.
LETTER 4
It may not seem like it right now, but it will get better, things will get easier, you may have shifts that leave you in tears, but they will make you a better nurse. What you are doing matters. It may not feel like you are being appreciated for all your work but you are helping someone. What you do is affecting someone and they see it. They appreciate you. Remember why you wanted to become a nurse, and tell yourself that on those hard days. Not every day will be hard and you will care for people that you will never forget. It is worth it. I have been where you are, felt how you feel. We all feel like this sometimes but you have worked too hard for this. Believe in yourself. Trust that great things are in store for you, you just need to hang in there. Reach out to family or friends when you need the help. Find ways to refill your cup because you need to take care of yourself too. I believe in you. You will do great things.