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 5
Remember how you got here and never forget your why. All the sleepless nights, tears shed, extra hours spent studying – all for what reason? So you could be where you are right now. Becoming a nurse was the hardest and most rewarding task I’ve done. Seeing babies be born to people becoming parents has reminded me every day of my why. The relationships I’ve built, the growth I’ve experienced over a year is something that I couldn’t see at one point and here I am Know that it is ok to cry. It is ok to not know something, you cannot be liked by every person in the world but you can sure treat people how you want to be treated. “You teach people how to treat you” is so true. Be confident, ask questions, ask yourself what is your why, remember you’re making a difference in people’s lives. If you don’t think your being treated right say something. Its ok to write out your report to pass to the next nurse – helps me stay organized. Remember Doctors are human beings like us, not gods even though some may act it. Ask questions often. Talk about work to someone who cares/listens. Stick up for yourself. It’s ok to switch preceptors if it’s not working.