Starting your career as a professional nurse or midwife can be challenging and daunting. Got a question? Ash and Alice are here to help.
What support can I expect during a graduate program? Thanks, Alix
Hi Alix,
Love that you are thinking ahead to build your support crew for grad year.
Every health service offers a slightly different grad program, depending on their patients, specialities, location and level of care. A proper orientation is important to ensure you feel welcome and comfortable to start your rotation with confidence.
ANMF strongly recommends each grad program offers thorough orientation days to the overall health service but also specific to the wards/units you will be rotating to. You should be introduced to common policies and procedures, communication and documentation, safety and duress process, mandatory training (in paid time), safety and compliance and unit-specific training and education.
You should have access to ward-specific clinical educators and have structured study days with opportunities for practical skill development – eg: IV cannulation, wound dressings etc.
It’s also important you have access to a preceptor/mentor for structured peer support, and that you are offered regular opportunities to debrief after big events at work.
The support will vary slightly depending on health service, but it is important that all health services prioritise structured support for graduates.
Check in with your fellow grads, organise a regular catch up outside of work and always remember the grad support team here at ANMF. We can help with practical strategies and debriefs.
For extra structured emotional support don’t forget the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria.
Hi Ash and Alice. How do I handle clinical situations where I feel out of my depth? Thanks. Gin.
Hi Gin,
We know firsthand how overwhelming and stressful some shifts can be. Having some strategies on hand to assist in any wild moments can be really helpful.
Our tips below:
- Pause and assess the situation.
- Review your shift planner, prioritise any urgent tasks first.
- Review any relevant policy/procedures.
- Have a think about next steps, then once you have a rough plan ask for help or even just reassurance that you are on the right track.
- Escalate to your buddy nurse/midwife, preceptor, in charge or educator.
No one expects new grads to manage everything independently, but everyone does expect that you ask lots of questions and escalate as soon as you have concerns.
Deep breaths Gin, you’ve got this!
I am a student nurse completing my Bachelor of Nursing – can I do medication rounds with an enrolled nurse?
Hi there,
This is a very easy one to answer.
No.
You must ALWAYS be under the direct supervision of a registered nurse when preparing and administering medications, otherwise you are working outside of your scope of practice.
If this has been asked of you on placement – please feel comfortable to protect your future nursing registration and gently say that you are unable to do meds with enrolled nurses. Then notify your university as soon as you can.
Please reach out to us if you would like to talk further about this. We really understand it can be difficult to advocate for yourself on placement, but it is always incredibly important to remain within your scope of practice.
Here if you need us: gradofficer@anmfvic.asn.au
