Transition to Practice: A Personal Reflection
In 1974, psychologist Herbert Freudenberger first introduced the term “burnout” to help illustrate workers’ response to stress typical of occupations concerning indepth interactions with people (Freudenberger, 1974). Burnout in this context is used to define emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduction in accomplishments at work regardless of the amount of time spent in the occupation. The purpose for highlighting this concept of burnout is to focus on the idea that often newly licensed nurses feel the effects of this burnout from their experiences and environment. According the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), newly licensed nurses can become frustrated and overwhelmed …show more content…
In my life this transition involves being a student nurse and becoming a practicing nurse. I have had a glimpse of this transition through my experience as a preceptee at the Loma Linda Veteran Affairs Medical Center (Loma Linda VA). There I have come across encounters that have helped me outline potential risks for burnout and frustration in the future. First, I have observed that newer nurses feel increased levels of stress. The impact of this is that stress is a risk factor for patient safety and practice errors. The new nurse on my unit was a good example of this and an example of how to deal with these types of incidences. I learned that often times these mistakes are learning experiences that are important to the new nurse. Second, levels of stress decrease if new nurses have a transition period once hired on by the hospital. I have seen first hand how this increases the confidence of the new nurse, helping the nurse resolve feelings of stress and frustration and learn valuable coping skills early on. The VA Loma Linda offers a transition to practice program known as the Valor program that helps the new nurse learn how the hospital and units operate, which is very successful. In addition, it gives the new nurse an effective orientation to the hospital. Third, having a preceptor that is knowledgeable and competent helps nurses develop the beginnings of her/his nursing identity. Building this first relationship in the hospital has helped me understand that nursing does not have to encourage lateral violence. Because my preceptor and I exhibited mutual respect for each other and since we understood each other’s role in the hospital, we were able to function as an effective team. Working with another nurse the first year functions in the same fashion. Having good nursing examples and nurse role models help new nurses want to influence new
In 1974, psychologist Herbert Freudenberger first introduced the term “burnout” to help illustrate workers’ response to stress typical of occupations concerning indepth interactions with people (Freudenberger, 1974). Burnout in this context is used to define emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduction in accomplishments at work regardless of the amount of time spent in the occupation. The purpose for highlighting this concept of burnout is to focus on the idea that often newly licensed nurses feel the effects of this burnout from their experiences and environment. According the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), newly licensed nurses can become frustrated and overwhelmed …show more content…
In my life this transition involves being a student nurse and becoming a practicing nurse. I have had a glimpse of this transition through my experience as a preceptee at the Loma Linda Veteran Affairs Medical Center (Loma Linda VA). There I have come across encounters that have helped me outline potential risks for burnout and frustration in the future. First, I have observed that newer nurses feel increased levels of stress. The impact of this is that stress is a risk factor for patient safety and practice errors. The new nurse on my unit was a good example of this and an example of how to deal with these types of incidences. I learned that often times these mistakes are learning experiences that are important to the new nurse. Second, levels of stress decrease if new nurses have a transition period once hired on by the hospital. I have seen first hand how this increases the confidence of the new nurse, helping the nurse resolve feelings of stress and frustration and learn valuable coping skills early on. The VA Loma Linda offers a transition to practice program known as the Valor program that helps the new nurse learn how the hospital and units operate, which is very successful. In addition, it gives the new nurse an effective orientation to the hospital. Third, having a preceptor that is knowledgeable and competent helps nurses develop the beginnings of her/his nursing identity. Building this first relationship in the hospital has helped me understand that nursing does not have to encourage lateral violence. Because my preceptor and I exhibited mutual respect for each other and since we understood each other’s role in the hospital, we were able to function as an effective team. Working with another nurse the first year functions in the same fashion. Having good nursing examples and nurse role models help new nurses want to influence new