Every year, over 150,000 registered nurses (RNs) graduate from nursing school, ready and eager to make a difference in the lives of patients. They’ve spent up to four years preparing for this moment, poring over textbooks, completing clinicals, and mastering skills. But when it comes time to face the challenges on the hospital floor or in the ER, how many will be ready?
“Is It Normal to Graduate Nursing School and Feel Unprepared?”
We visited some online forums to see how new nurse grads are feeling, and the responses? Well …
“My nursing skills are non-existent.”
“I think new nurses have always been completely unprepared for the job. I know I was…”
“’This is just like the simulations!’ -No nurse ever.”
Clearly, many new nurses are feeling unprepared. And this is after spending years studying everything from nursing fundamentals to nursing informatics, not to mention passing the NCLEX. So, where’s the disconnect?
New Nurses Feeling Overwhelmed Is Nothing New
One major contributor? The COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report from UNISON, over 70% of surveyed students, new nurses, and midwives felt they missed out on key learning experiences during the pandemic. And 56% of the senior nursing students surveyed admitted they didn’t feel as prepared as they should. (Yes, the report is from the UK, but they have healthcare over there, too.)
“Constructive and meaningful support in the workplace is vital for those newly qualified so they can fulfill their potential,” said Stuart Tuckwood, UNISON’s national officer for nursing. The reality? Many nurses are feeling so overwhelmed that they’re considering walking away from the careers they worked so hard to build.
Concerns about new nurse preparedness existed long before the pandemic, however. A decade’s worth of performance-based development system (PBDS) assessments representing over 10,000 new RNs revealed a troubling trend: Between 2011 and 2015, 23% of new nurses scored in the acceptable range. But from 2016 to 2020, that number dropped to 14%.
We’re talking about the backbone of the healthcare system. Nurses comprise the largest segment of the healthcare workforce and are the primary providers of hospital patient care. Making sure they have the support they need isn’t just about their well-being; it’s about ensuring the health and safety of patients. During COVID, these new nurses stepped up and did everything they could to care for patients, often at great personal cost.
What can be done to help them?
Nursing Education Is the Key to Preparedness
There’s much that can be done to better support nurses. According to the UNISON report, many nurses reported wishing they had:
- Guaranteed, regular, and paid “protected time.”
- Time to adjust to the new job without being considered part of the staff.
- Study days that are protected and consistent.
Nursing education is also a critical factor. Nurses with a baccalaureate degree or higher are linked to lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and better patient outcomes. Those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are prized for their skills in:
- Critical thinking
- Leadership
- Case management
- Health promotion
- Versatility
There’s a clear connection between a nurse’s education level and their preparedness, yet not every nurse has a bachelor’s degree. As of 2022, only 71.7% of RNs hold at least a bachelor’s degree. If RNs want to feel more prepared for the challenges ahead, earning a BSN is one of the best moves they can make.
And that’s where we come in.
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Education
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers a CCNE-accredited online RN to BSN program, designed for RNs looking to advance their career and gain the skills needed to provide the highest quality care possible.
We get it; you’re busy. That’s why, aside from two clinical courses, our program is self-paced. Earn a BSN degree and an optional Nurse Manager Certificate on your own time, at your own pace. Your two clinical courses are conducted in person with a local preceptor of your choosing, helping to ensure you’re fully prepared for your role no matter your experience level.
So, what do you think? Ready to take your nursing education to the next level? Check out our online RN to BSN program to learn more, or if you’re ready to get started, apply to UT Permian Basin today.
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