Supporting the subsequent generation of nurses

We have all heard reports of problems related to the nursing workforce: lack of staff, resources and clinical facilities to teach nursing students; burn out; personnel issues; nurses are afraid of nurses’ work; and nurses leaving the occupation. I need to share some excellent news with you – early profession nursing students and up to date graduates are very enthusiastic about their future.

Moments of sunshine in nursing education

I even have the honour of teaching two graduate nursing students as an adjunct professor and talking to undergraduate nursing students. I enjoy facilitating learning for these students because they’re desirous to acquire latest knowledge and skills and learn to think critically. Seeing “light bulb” moments when concepts come together and understand how every thing about our bio-psycho-social being is interconnected and impacts health truly gives me a way of joy and hope for our occupation. These students should not afraid to ask difficult questions, they need to know and offer suggestions on the best way to do things in a different way.

Working with students or recent graduates is mutually useful

In clinical practice, we all know that conducting classes with a student or a recent graduate is a challenge. This makes our job easier, but in addition forces us to stop and take into consideration why we do what we do in clinical practice. Students and latest graduates are forcing us to take a fresh take a look at research and be certain our actions are supported by the newest evidence and best practices. They also consider us a job model in skilled practice.

Students and latest graduates are the subsequent generation of nurse leaders

We often think of individuals in leadership roles as people in managerial or administrative roles, but that is a much wider concept. Demonstrating leadership means having the power and knowledge to steer or influence the decision-making process; it’s something all nurses do day-after-day on the bedside and it’s what we do in our skilled practice. Experienced nurses have a responsibility to show students and latest nurses the best way to be authentic nurse leaders. Authentic leaders lead with heart, have integrity, are energetic listeners, are transparent, and construct trust. When we take a look at our relationships with patients, they’re based on the identical characteristics. In meetings where decisions are made, it’s the authentic leader who commands essentially the most respect and might facilitate change.

As nurses, we realize that sometimes we should not thrilled with our jobs, but deep down we still love being nurses. As we educate nursing students and latest nursing graduates, we must do not forget that we’re preparing the subsequent generation of nurse leaders. We are already drawing the longer term of our occupation, and latest nurses will lead the occupation into the longer term. Let’s put money into our future by supporting students and graduates on their skilled path.