Role Transitions & Considerations

Question 1

Reality shock

Answer 1

• reaction experienced when entering workforce after years of preparation
• recent grads are expected to be competent, capable nurses without experience
• increased acuity, combined with the nursing shortage may leave you feeling depressed, insecure or powerless

Question 2

Phases of reality shock

Answer 2

• honeymoon
• shock and rejection
• recovery

Question 3

Honeymoon phase

Answer 3

New independence, nobody watching over your shoulder (exciting phase)

Question 4

Shock and rejection phase

Answer 4

When the bad days outnumber the good ones

Question 5

Recovery phase

Answer 5

Humor, decreased tension

- increase in the ability to be objective

Question 6

Benner’s stages of proficiency

Answer 6

• novice
• advanced beginner
• competent
• proficient
• expert

Question 7

Stage 1: novice

Answer 7

• beginners have had no experience
• taught rules to help them perform
• limited and inflexible

Question 8

Stage 2: advanced beginner

Answer 8

• marginally acceptable performance
• identify recurring meaningful situational components
• require prior experience in actual situations for recognition
• principles to guide actions begin to be formulated

Question 9

Stage 3: competent

Answer 9

• competence (same or similar situations for two or three years)
• begins to see his/her actions in terms of long-range goals or plans of which he or she is consciously aware
• demonstrates efficiency and organization
• lacks the speed and flexibility of the proficient nurse but has a feeling of mastery

Question 10

Stage 4: proficient

Answer 10

• perceives situations as wholes rather than parts or aspects
• perceives its meaning in terms of long-term goals
• has learned from experience what typical events to expect in a given situation

Question 11

Stage 5: expert

Answer 11

• no longer relies on rules to connect his/her understanding of a situation to implement appropriate action
• intuitive grasp and deep understanding of a situation

Question 12

How to prepare oneself for a transition during the last semester

Answer 12

• no “mama management”
• realistic patient care assignment and shifts
• clinical hours that represent realistic shift hours
• perform procedures instead of observing
• truth about real work setting
• look for problem-solving opportunities and practice critical thinking
• request constructive feedback