New grad
gazette
A publication for new nurse graduates in Florida ™ Editor: Leah Nash, [email protected] ™ MAY 2011
What Happens Now?
By Mitzy Drake, RN
For the past two years my road has been well
mapped out; eat, sleep, and nurse. But now that the
glow of graduation has worn off I find myself asking,
“What happens now?” I study everyday and fight the
anxiety and doubt that permeates my dreams. And
every morning I ask, “Can I do this?” I wonder how
many of my classmates are having the same thoughts
and how they are coping?
We were all good students who received rave reviews
from our preceptors and faculty. We were given the
information and resources needed to excel. Not to
mention the wealth of knowledge we are surrounded
by in our prior faculty mentors and current colleagues.
But navigating this first year seems daunting and at
times feels almost impossible.
The learning curve for a new grad is wide. We have to
remember that some anxiety and doubt is normal.
Surrounding ourselves with positive and encouraging
people strengthens our faith in our own abilities.
Participating in professional groups such as FNA
helps in creating a more well rounded professional.
Remember to take it one step at a time and realize
that perfection is unattainable but we will become
confident and knowledgeable in our new roles.
Mitzy is a new graduate and
co-chairperson of the FNA New Grad
Special Interest Group. She graduate in
April 2011 from Sante Fe College and is a
proud employee of Malcolm Randall
Veterans Administration
Medical Center. She is married with
two dogs.
Brought to you by:
Need CASH for CLASS?
HURRY! Time is
running out to apply
for FNF Scholarships
& Research Grants!
DEADLINE: JUNE 1
The Florida Nurses Foundation (FNF) offers
scholarships and research grants annually.
Scholarships and research grants in the amounts of
$500—$750 are available to nursing students from
around the state of Florida attending nursing
programs (Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s and
Doctoral).
Visit floridanurse.org/grantupload for the
application process. All applications must be
uploaded online and all supporting material
must be sent to FNF Headquarters by
June 1st. Application packets will be blindly
evaluated by a
committee of FNA
members and award
recipients will be
notified in September
2011.
Criteria for FNF
scholarships and
research grants are also
posted at the
website. Contact
[email protected]
or 407.896.3261
with inquiries.
Florida Nurses Association
P.O. Box 536985 | Orlando, FL 32853
(P) 407.896.3261 | (F) 407.896.9042 |[email protected]
floridanurse.org
Mentor Moment: Selecting A Mentor
By Patricia Posey-Goodwin, RN
There is an old song that Dean Martin sings that goes, “Everybody, loves somebody,
sometime” (you might have to ask your grandparents to explain to you who he was). I
want to change the wording around and state another hypothesis: Everybody NEEDS
somebody, sometime. At least that is what I have always heard, how about you? Now I
can’t give you a reference or direct you to a specific study or resource, but there is
evidence to support my hypothesis! First, let’s define the word “need.”
Merriam-Webster identifies “need” as a physiological or psychological requirement
for the well-being of an organism (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary; Retrieved
1 CH of ANCC Continuing Education
May 12, 2010, from merriam-webster.com/dictionary). Think of a mentor as an
$20 for Members/Students/
individual who guides you through your journey as you meet needs of others and
New Grads
as you grow an individual. A mentor can be older and wiser. A mentor can be
$35
for
Non-Members
younger, as age is not the most important factor. Mentoring relationships tend to
evolve when an individual with less experience (also known as a novice, protégé,
New Grad Scholarships available!
or mentee) develops a working relationship with an individual with more
Email
[email protected]
experience (the mentor) who possesses attributes and characteristics the less
for
an
application.
Applications must be
experienced individual desire to emulate. A mentor is an individual, while
received at FNA Headquarters at least
mentoring is the process.
Webinar
series
As you begin your professional journey as a Registered Nurse, you will seek
out other nurses to assist you along the way, or others may seek you out,
knowing you are just beginning. Mentoring relationships may be planned or
develop spontaneously. Here are some characteristics of good mentors that are
found throughout academic, business, and health care:
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Good role model;
Someone who provides constructive feedback in a timely manner;
Patient with self and others;
Supportive and provides encouragement;
Either an expert in the field or knowledgeable of resources and
willing to share their experience with others;
Willing to teach at the time the learner seeks to learn;
Provides a “safety net” for learning;
A good listener; and/or
Helps the mentee “learn the ropes” of the organization.
one week before the webinar
that you would like to attend.
June 21 (7-8 pm): Laurie Stark, PhD, RN is
a previous Florida Nurses Foundation research
grant recipient. During this webinar, Laurie
will present her findings and how art therapy
empowered breast cancer patients to cope with
their illness.
July 13 (11 am – Noon): Patricia
Posey-Goodwin, RN, has a passion for engaging
nursing students and new graduates. During
her webinar on Generational Diversity, Patricia
will instruct attendees on different age groups
and their tendencies, as well as retention issues
Attendees will be empowered by the knowledge
of how to interact with colleagues of
different age groups.
By now you have had an opportunity to observe many nurses. Not everyone
makes a good mentor and some mentors do not realize they are mentoring. I
August 4 (9-10 am): Debbie Hogan, RN will
encourage you to make a list what you want and need in a mentor. If you don’t give an update on immunizations, empowering
know or are not sure, drop me a line. If I can be of any encouragement or
attendees to learn more about the trends of
provide you with direction, just let me know.
current possible epidemics and treatments.
Patricia Posey-Goodwin, RN, BSN, MS, Ed.D(c) is a long
time FNA member and an Assistant Professor of Nursing at
the University of West Florida. She is a member of the
FNA New Grad Special Interest Group and has spoken at
FNA events such as the Membership Assembly and Nurses
Retreat. You may reach Patricia at [email protected].
The FNA New Grad Special Interest Group wants to be here for you!
If you have specific questions that you would like answered, please email
[email protected]. Answers will be published in the next issue of
New Grad Gazette. New Grad Gazette is published in March,
May, September, and December annually.
November 8 (1-2 pm): Denise McNulty,
DNP, ARNP will present an evidence based
comprehensive review of literature on
nursing empowerment in the workplace.
The presentation addresses the nurse’s
perception of his/her psychological
empowerment and impact this has on
patient care and outcomes.
 Visit
floridanurse.org
& click on
“conferenceS”
to register.
Get
FNLA: New Grad Leadership Opportunity
The Florida Nurses Leadership Academy (FNLA) is a partnership program of FNA and FNF with the purpose of developing future nursing leaders. The goal is to provide tools, education, and opportunities to new graduates to assist them in becoming active members and skillful leaders in their professional organization. Those selected will receive mentoring into proactive roles in the FNA and then become a mentor over a period of two years. Eligible applicants must have graduated from a School of Nursing in Florida within the past three (3) years or be eligible to graduate on or FNA wants to get in touch
before June 15, 2011. Fellows will be required to complete specific activities with you – on your terms!
and will receive benefits stated above, as well as a FNLA lapel pin, tote bag, Here are some online ways
FNA recognition, etc. to learn more about how
Applications are due July 15, 2011 to FNA Headquarters. Applications may be important your FNA
found at floridanurse.org on the “Resources” page. You may also request membership is for new
one from [email protected] or from your FNSA Consultant. Florida nurses.
Connected...
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Bookmark
www.floridanurse.org and go
there frequently for updates
on member benefits and
services.
Make FNA your friend on
myspace at myspace.com/
floridanursesassociation.
Look for blogs and bulletins
about FNA events and
promotions. Make comments
on the FNA page to let us
know what you need!
•
Like FNA on Facebook at
facebook.com/
floridanursesassociation. Get
updates, view photos & more!
•
Follow FNA on Twitter
@FLNurses.
•
Join the ANANurseSpace at
nursingworld.org for an online
social network just for
nurses.
Make FNA Part of Your
Pinning Ceremony or
other Graduation Event!
FACULTY: Email [email protected] for a pinning ceremony order form!
For each filled out application that is submitted, you will receive a FNA pin
(like the one below). Please send the date(s) of your ceremony/other graduation
event(s) and contact information for the person who plans these events.
FNA is putting together a list of annual
graduation events so that this process will
be easier for future orders. FNA would also
like to send out a Regional Ambassador to
be present at these events and/or speak to
your classes about professional development
so contact information will be used to set up
these appointments throughout the year.
September 23rd is FREE for students!
What’s on the agenda for students and new grads?
Florida Nurse Leadership Academy information.
New Grad Regional Ambassadors to help make you feel comfortable.
Pinning Ceremony for new grad members.
Round table forum for students/new grads and seasoned FNA members.
Learning sessions about issues that affect your practice.
More activities to network and get to know your nurse colleagues!
The Legacy of Nursing
By Paula Berry-Zeller, RN, MBA/HCM, MSN
Congratulations to all 2011 graduates! Throughout the past 30
years, the health care arena has constantly changed and will
continue to change. One thing that remains the same is our
“Legacy of Nursing.” What does it signify as you begin a
wonderful journey through the nursing profession? How does
your legacy define you as a nursing professional, an individual,
and more importantly, as an agent impacting the lives you
touch?
As a new nurse, every day you will strive to integrate your
learned classroom knowledge with your clinical world. As stated
in Educating Nurses, A Call for Radical Transformation
(Benner, Sutphen, Leonard & Day, 2010), “They must enter
practice ready to continue learning, often through self-directed
learning that can be adapted to any site of practice, from school
of nursing to intensive care nursing”(p.1). Such self-directed
learning is evident in the formation of one’s legacy. In the
beginning, the graduate nurse will provide people with caring,
supportive, professional care. As the years fade away, the
caregiver within will have learned and developed a set of skills
that enhance the patient experience with a significant depth of
caring.
So often we are not even aware of the legacy that follows us.
Nurses touch lives in so many ways. Recently, I was sitting at
a baseball game listening to a person sitting behind me telling
the story about a wonderful nurse a loved one named John had
during his last days. She described the caring nurse in great
detail. I am sure she will tell this story over and over because
John was so important to her. When we become engaged with
patients and families we develop relationships that live on even
though we are not aware of the storytelling.
This legacy is a two way journey. A year from now as a
professional registered nurse you will remember a special
moment with a patient or family. The memory may bring joy,
sadness, tears or even a chuckle. Regardless of the shape of
the emotion, you will know they have impacted your heart and
that you also have begun exploring your own legacy.
A wise, yet unknown author aptly stated: “I may be here for a
shortwhile, gone tomorrow into oblivion or until the days come
to take me away. But, in whatever part you play, be
remembered as part of a legacy...of sharing dreams and
changing humanity for the better. It's that legacy that never
dies” (ThinkExist, 2010)
Paula Berry-Zeller, RN, MBA/HCM, MSN
is the Campus College Chair for the
University of Phoenix. Paula is a member
of FNA and sits on the New Grad Special
Interest Group and the East Central
Region planning committee.
References:
Benner, P., Sutphen, M. Leonard, V., & Day, L. (2010). Educating
nurses: A call for radical transformation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
ThinkExist (2010). Quotations. Retrieved April 16, 2011 from http://
thinkexist.com/quotes/top/