FINDING YOUR POWER AS A NEW NURSE: overcoming stress and anxiety during the first years of nursing (with Janell of Novice is The New Nurse)

“Nurses Eat Their Young” is an unspoken secret in the nursing profession. A culture of bullying, negativity, and stress torments the new-nursing community. Jannel of @noviceisthenewnurse is on a mission to empower new nurses and help them turn challenges into healing. She recently launched her book titled, “Lavender and Peppermint Tea” - a self-help book focused on journal prompts and activities to uplift novice nurses. 

Graduating from nursing school is one of the most exciting times in your life. You get to (finally) ditch those nursing school scrubs, don your official work badge, and head to work to care for patients on your own. 

You’re excited and ready to tackle the world. And then, reality sets in. You may struggle with feeling lost as you transition from student to RN, deal with feelings of anxiety in your new role (Did you remember to waste that med properly? OMG did you forget to give 201A his pain meds?? Does the doctor you woke up at 3 AM hate you forever?!), and all-around stress as you navigate life at the bedside. And although you may be lucky enough to get a new nurse orientation at your facility, for many new nurses, a few weeks of shadowing is simply just not enough. 

One fact is for certain: adjusting to life as a new nurse can be a challenge for many. And that’s where Jannel of @noviceisthenewnurse comes in. As the co-founder of Novice is the New Nurse, Jannel is on a mission to change the way that new nurses are supported–both personally and professionally and she’s got the tools to help make that happen. Jannel spoke with Nurse Alice on a recent episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast about her work with new nurses and how she is dedicating herself to building new nurse wellness and confidence.