There are some people that I would thank in my nursing journey. The professors that sat with me to go over exams one-to-one and help me to adjust my study habits also other students who studied with me, the nurses at clinical and nurses during the essential first day as a new graduate full of knowledge and doubt. Every nurse was once a student and a brand new. I firmly believe in giving back to the profession and paying it forward to helping out the next generation of nurses.
#1 Let’s get rid of the saying “Nurses eat their young.”
“Nurses eat their young,” I was first told as a student and did really understand it unit I was a nurse. My floor is fantastic, the nurses I work with pull together as a great team. The teamwork and inclusion of my co-workers is a prime reason why I stay in my current position. There are a few exceptions that I have seen within my hospital, many of which have moved on to other hospitals and units. I still consider myself a new nurse, although I find myself giving advice and being asked my opinions on situations not just from newer nurses but also more seasoned nurses. I was just a brand new nurse and felt the rejection of rare events from fellow nurses, the awful way I felt going home, no one should have to feel that way. I want this to become a thing of the past. Every nurse should take up a mentoring role whether formally within an institution or informally and relay some information to another nurse. A change for the future nurses and nursing culture for the better.
#2 I owe it the those who helped me.
So many people helped me in becoming the nurse I am today. It would be terrible to not help out others. The number of hours and advice dispensed to me by other people, those who did not need to aid me, never really had to give information. I always feel that you should “treat people the way you want to be treated,” in this instance you should “treat people the way you were treated.” Nurses were helpful to me, as a new bunch of nurses flood into the unit, I will give each one the same type of courtesy and similar to that of the students who I work with as well.
#3 A great feeling of accomplishment.
When I help someone not only does it aid someone, I bestow knowledge onto another person, and I feel great. Nursing is not a cut and dry job, there is not always one answer to every question. I find myself ecstatic and accomplished when I am able to answer a straight question or even talk out a problem to guide them to a realization and problem-solving.
#4 I want to be remembered as a great to my patients as well as my colleagues.
My preceptor coming onto my first position was amazing. She has moved to another unit to expand her own experience and knowledge, but I think very highly of her as a friend, a nurse, and co-worker. I want people to think of me with the same memories, even years later if they have forgotten my name I want them to be able to remember the aid that was given to them.
I was helped immensely and everyone after that I held in higher regards. No matter the reasons to mentor, whether it’s to pay it forward, to support a new nurse, or try to change the nursing culture. Mentoring and taking a new nurse under your wing will be a great way to impact the nursing within your unit and institution.