“I feel scared” and “I feel like I am not good enough” are the words of a new graduate nurse whose nurse manager told her to resign. “I sat in my car and cried for 40 minutes,” she says.
Wow. This is not an isolated story of a new graduate nurse. There are many more stories out there like this. Our nursing leaders must ensure that nurses, particularly new nurses, are supported and given the mentorship they need to thrive. It is unfair not to train and support our novice nurses and nurses transitioning to different roles.
“I got in trouble for asking a concerning question.”
According to Psychology Today, gaslighting is a tactic that a person uses to gain more power and makes a victim question their reality. Gaslighting is the abuse of power and a form of bullying in the workplace.
“They didn’t give me enough orientation and expected me to know everything right off the bat, which is unrealistic.” Unfortunately, this is the harsh reality many new graduate nurses face today because many organizations make financial cuts in the education department.
This happened to me personally as I experienced a layoff as the director of education due to what they call “restructuring.” Most hospitals function with the minimum number of educators to cover various units, if not only one educator covering the whole hospital. As we know, assigned online learning is not the same quality as practicing hands-on skills and demonstrating competency through validation.
Creating psychological safety in a work environment is extremely important. New graduate nurses should feel comfortable asking questions and raising safety concerns. Nurses have the right to advocate for themselves and their patients without fearing retaliation.
Nurses should be aware of their rights and articulate them. The American Nurses Association has listed the Nurses Bill of Rights here.
Although it is easy to say you should advocate for yourself, it can be challenging because you are considering your job security and how to support yourself and your loved ones. Therefore, please know your rights and options to make an informed decision about the next steps.
Signs of a Toxic Work Environment
1. Lack of trust among colleagues and or leadership
8. People are disengaged, have low morale, and have high turnover
9. No support from leadership and no shared decision making
10. Physical symptoms of stress
If you are experiencing any of these, please document what is happening with dates and times. I recommend having a conversation with the person to discuss concerns. However, if you are uncomfortable and fear retaliation and losing your job, I recommend seeking expert advice. No one deserves to feel uncomfortable at work or psychologically, emotionally, or physically distressed by these toxic behaviors. Toxic work environments are simply unacceptable!
How to Plan Your Exit Strategy
Start looking for a new position ASAP
Getting a new position can take 2-6 months, so do not delay it.
Use Linkedin and job boards such as Indeed.
Network both in person and online for potential opportunities.
Do not apply for every job you see, be strategic
Look at positions that will bring you closer to your career goals.
Select organizations that are in alignment with your values/purpose
Read about the mission vision values and visit the place in person to understand the environment.
Do your research/Speak to people who are currently working there
Tailor your resume/cover letter to the job description
Use specific keywords in the job description to infuse in your resume.
Ask about the retention rate for employees
High turnover is a red flag that people do not stay.
Pay close attention to your “interview experience”
The experience from the application process, planning, and communication during the interview is very telling. Pay attention to body language and the overall vibe of the interview.
Wait until the official offer
Get the offer in writing before you hand in your resignation letter.
A standard resignation timeframe is about 2-4 weeks.
Get Out! RUN!
Regardless of experience, every nurse must be treated with respect and dignity.
As a nursing student, I loved watching the show “Trauma: Life in the ER.” This show was based on real-life medical stories in the ER of various cities such as New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Detroit. As I watched, I said to myself that is what I want to do! I am going to be a Trauma Nurse in the ER.
In my last semester of nursing school, I requested to be in the Emergency Department, and thankfully, I was placed there for my last rotation. Well, that’s where I fell in love with Nursing. The adrenaline, fast-paced environment, and uncertainty of what will happen next kept me on my toes.
One of my clinical instructors asked me what type of nurse I wanted to be, and I told her with excitement, “I want to be an ER nurse,” and she replied, “you will never be an ER nurse.” I was shocked! I thought, wow, how could an educator be so negative and deter me from following my dream? Well, you already know my stubborn head did not listen. Watch me, I thought to myself. I am going to be a badass ER Nurse. I’m going to save lives.
I developed such great relationships during my clinical rotation that they encouraged me to apply! As a result, I got offered the ER position as a new nurse before I graduated or took my nursing boards in Canada. Hey, hey, hey! I was jumping up and down for joy when I got the offer. I got two offers, but I selected the ER with the trauma center.
Moral of the story: “Follow Your Dreams!”
I have worked in various Emergency Departments in Canada and the U.S., including level 1 trauma centers. I worked in the ER at Detroit Receiving Hospital where the show Trauma: Life in the ER was filmed and at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell where NY ER was filmed. I also became a nurse educator and TNCC instructor and taught clinicals as an Adjunct Faculty. I hold the following three board certifications for Emergency Nursing: CEN-Certified Emergency Nurse, CPEN-Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse, and TCRN-Trauma Certified RN.
These certifications can be obtained from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) once you have at least two years of experience in the Emergency Department.
My mission is to empower all nurses, especially new nurses, to follow their passion and dreams. For this reason, I decided to open up my own nurse coaching business in June 2021. I provide 1-1 coaching and group coaching to nurses. I teach you how to confidently land your dream position and be Badass Nurses too.
You, too, can become an Emergency Nurse if you want! IT IS POSSIBLE!
Was I nervous to start? Yes, but you will get a proper orientation and a preceptor to guide you along the way! Think about it, there is always an attending physician there, 24/7, nurses, charge nurses, respiratory therapists, and the list goes on! You are not alone!
5 Tips to Help You on Your Journey to Becoming an Emergency Nurse
Request your last clinical rotation/placement to be in the Emergency Department
If you are a nursing student, get any job in the Emergency Department, such as a Patient Care Tech, EKG Tech, Patient transporter, etc.
Join the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) as a student or a Nurse. (discounted price for students, access to ENA Journal, conferences, and educational content)
Get a nursing mentor and or nursing coach who can guide you along your journey (hint: contact me)
Develop your skills, build your resume, and get any certification:
If you want to be a badass nurse who confidently uses LinkedIn to accelerate your nursing career, here are ten spicy tips for success from international nurse coach Farah Laurent, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CPXP, NPD-BC, TCRN, CPEN, CEN.
Do your research
I have been a LinkedIn member for many years; however, It was only in 2021 that I truly realized the power of LinkedIn and all that it has to offer.
First, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, with over 875 million international members from around the globe. Second, LinkedIn has been voted the most trusted social media platform! If you are not currently on LinkedIn, please sign up right now!
Build And Update Your LinkedIn Profile
Build your profile by adding valuable content that lets readers understand what you are looking for professionally. What opportunities would you like to be considered for? Be clear and concise. Keep it bold and sweet. Yes, I said it, be bold. Be straightforward.
Many people are scrolling and only have a little time. A recruiter or other professional should look at your profile header and, in about five seconds, be able to tell what you want or do. For example, if you are looking for a new job, click the green “open to” tab and fill it out!! Put something interesting in your header about yourself that stands out or people can relate to.
Use Creator Mode
Please make it easy for other professionals to connect with you by turning on the creator mode option under that Resources section. People will be able to hit a green follow button instead of having to wait until you approve a connection request. LinkedIn has added many features over the years, including live streaming events, audio events, newsletters, articles, and tracking post performance metrics.
LinkedIn has truly evolved; it is more than just a place to go when looking for a job. If you take your time to network and build a community, it can be life-changing, not only professionally, but about on a personal level.
Build Your Own Personal Brand
Whether you believe it or not, you are a brand! Personal branding is for more than just business owners. A brand also goes far beyond a logo or brand colors. It is a reflection of you. So it would be best if you carried yourself in a manner that reflects a positive image.
Social media is public, and people can learn quite a bit about a person with a simple click. What do you want people to associate you with when they think of you? How do you want people to feel when they think about you? Think about how you would like to be described or known. Now go ahead and makes sure that is what is being portrayed. Again, you will only be appreciated by some, but please be intentional about the impression you leave on LinkedIn.
Share your Story
Everyone loves to hear a great story. Whether it is a failure, triumph, or journey towards a particular destination, it is worth sharing.
Share your story because other people can relate and feel a connection to you. Be tasteful, but do not be afraid to be vulnerable. Your story may serve as inspiration to someone else reading it. Again, you have to master the art of storytelling here. However, sometimes simplicity wins.
Start Posting Content
Only about 1% of LinkedIn users share posts. So imagine if you posted content on LinkedIn. This would make you part of the 1% and shine more brightly.
It can be a text post, an inspirational quote, a photo, a simple thought, or your perspective on nursing and healthcare. You can write articles on Linkedln, host audio events or live video streaming events.
Be Visible
“Money Flows where attention goes” is one of my favorite quotes from Steven Aitchison. It makes perfect sense. If you are not seen, you are invisible to the world. So be visible on the platform by having professional photos and videos and being seen.
Also, make your profile visible to the public under settings. Trust and believe that 99.9% of recruiters search for you on LinkedIn before they call you or book an interview. Next, have a smiling profile photo that is professional and forward-facing. Yes, you need to smile. No one wants to hire or work with a grumpy person
Stand Out From The Crowd
Put something interesting in your header about yourself that stands out or people can relate to. Use bold colors to attract readers. For example, share a video about yourself, why you chose to be a nurse, or why you would make a great “fill in the blank” nurse. Be you. Have some enthusiasm. Have fun.
Show Off A Little
Please brag about yourself. It’s your page, so you’re allowed to shine bright like a diamond. I promise it’s ok. Show off your educational background, certifications, awards, or accomplishments.
If you are part of an organization such as sigma theta tau or the American Nurses Association or volunteer, please add it to your profile! Brag and bring out that swagger.
Network and Engage
Finally, let me see you network. It is all about networking, community-building, and connecting with others. Be authentic but be strategic as well. To advance in your career and accelerate to new heights, you must be willing to network and engage with the right people. So get out of your cage and engage. I had to crack a silly joke, but sometimes you must show up and be present, and others may find you
Finding a mentor or coach can help accelerate your career success and save you time. LinkedIn is a fantastic vehicle for success, but you must get in the driver’s seat, take action, hit the pedal, and accelerate to your career destination. Your next connection could change your life.
Gaining success as a nurse and landing that dream nursing position is within your reach using these seven strategies from International Nurse Coach Farah Laurent, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CPXP, NPD-BC, TCRN, CPEN, CEN.
1. Believe in Yourself & Promote Yourself
If you don’t believe in yourself, it’s hard for others to believe in you. So let’s go!
Stop those negative self-limiting beliefs. Instead, read positive affirmations daily to help you remain positive and focused. You have the knowledge, skills, and attitude to achieve anything. So, go ahead goal getter. If you believe it, then it will come, and it will manifest!
You may be shy to promote yourself, but it’s a MUST!! Whether during an interview or if you want that promotion, you better bring it. Bring that confidence. I call it “Brag & Swag.”
Follow the 3 Ps of Interviewing
Presence
From your stylish wardrobe to your vibe, walk, and entrance!
Positioning
Position yourself for to gain success as a nurse by researching and getting ready for the interview. In the physical sense, be aware of how you sit, from your posture, to where you sit at that table.
Pitch
This is your chance to sell, sell, sell yourself, so be ready with your elevator pitch. You want the job. So, you better bring the energy and that fire!
2. Continuous Education & Growth Mindset
There is always room to grow and to improve! Nursing is a lifelong learning career.
You must keep learning, reading, and growing, whether a new nurse on the block or a veteran rock star. Seek out opportunities for growth and development. Conferences are a great way to learn, network, and learn about the latest and greatest in healthcare.
3. Positive Attitude & Gratitude
People love being around positivity, so keep it positive. Have a “can do” attitude and take the initiative.
I love to say that everything is “figureoutable.” Lead with gratitude and be thankful. Saying thank you to someone and letting them know you appreciate them truly goes a long way. Be open to opportunities because opportunities in nursing are endless. Be ready and open to receiving abundance.
4. Know Your Worth & Advocate
Know your value and worth. Do your research about the salary/wages, and be ready to articulate your value. Learn different tactics for negotiating wages/salary/perks.
Does the company have opportunities for growth and promotion? Learn how to advocate for yourself, your colleagues, and your clients.
5. Set Core Values & Goals
Do you know what your core values are? What is non-negotiable? These are key factors to gain success as a nurse.
Research the company or organization and see if your values align. Set your goals and have short-term and long-term goals. Write down your goals yearly, monthly, and weekly. Then, track your progress and keep it moving.
6. Be Kind & Practice Emotional Intelligence
Be kind. Nursing and healthcare can be stressful at times. However, you must learn how to adapt and respond. You cannot change people, but you can control how you react. Do not let others take away your joy! You are in control! You have options and choices! Exercise your Emotional Intelligence!!
7. Surround Yourself with Positive, Successful People
Lastly, positivity is contagious so surround yourself with a positive group. Seek to have multiple mentors and coaches and invest in yourself and your growth.
Remember, only stick around people who will help encourage, empower, motivate and elevate you.
