The Nurse Professional

“Nursing school did not adequately prepare me for this role” and “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this when I was a student?” are commonly heard complaints from new nurses during their first two “rite of passage” years following graduation. But this transition to professional practice—fraught with challenges, anxiety, triumphs, and tears—does not have to be so difficult. The Nurse Professional helps novices prepare for their transition into a “real world” role from being a student through graduation, NCLEX success, job search, first job, and beyond. It is the only book to cover all of the steps that new nurses must take to ensure a smooth transition into the professional role.

The author is a nurse educator and mentor with extensive experience in recruiting and orienting nurses. Dr. Hunt is also co-founder of the Nurse Advocacy Forum, providing advocacy, support, networking, professional development, leadership, and mentoring to students and new graduate nurses. She offers sound advice regarding the most current issues facing new nurses and practical strategies for obtaining a job of one’s choice, describes steps to take well before graduation to ensure a smooth transition to professional practice, and addresses the various indicators of academic achievement that are required for employment at some nursing facilities. She also discusses the benefits of externships, internships, professional development, and networking, how to develop a winning portfolio, and how to successfully transition into professional practice. This book provides information on workplace bullying and how to deal with it; the importance of self-care, self-advocacy, and networking; writing a résumé; interview skills; and much more. “Top 10 Tips” in each chapter concisely highlight important topics. Samples of useful forms and documents are available in chapter appendices. A PowerPoint presentation and templates for role play/simulation scenarios for faculty use are also available.

Key Features:

• “Top 10 Tips” in chapters concisely highlight important topics

• Samples of useful forms and documents are available in chapter appendices

• Delivers specific, practical strategies and exercises for a successful transition and entry into practice

• Written by an experienced nurse/educator and nurse mentor who has extensive experience regarding how new nurses transition into practice

Foreword Afaf I. Meleis, PhD, DrPS (hon), FAAN

Preface

Acknowledgments

PART I: FOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESS

  1.   Introduction and Overview—World of Professional Nursing

  2.   Academic Foundations for Your Future Role

  3.   Self-Care, Advocacy, and Resiliency

  4.   Portfolio Development

  5.   Quality and Safety Issues

  6.   Legal, Moral, and Ethical Issues

PART II: THE PATH FROM GRADUATION TO NCLEX SUCCESS AND FIRST NURSING POSITION

  7.   The Path to NCLEX Success

  8.   Strategies for Securing Your First Position

PART III: TRANSITION INTO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

  9.   Role of the Graduate Nurse

10.   Strategies for Successful Transition

11.   Clinical Practice

12.   Delegation

13.   Leadership Development

14.   Issues and Solutions in Your New Role

15.   Violence and Bullying in the Workplace

16.   Journaling

PART IV: ROLE DEVELOPMENT: FROM ADVANCED PRACTITIONER AND BEYOND

17.   Networking and Professional Development

18.   Understanding Various Health Care Agencies/Accrediting Bodies

19.   Future Roles, Advanced Education, Advanced Practice Certifications, and Continuing Education

20.   Developing Short-Term and Long-Term Goals and Objectives

Index