3 minute read
The Fear of Caring: Novice Versus The Experienced Nurse
BY MARIE MURRAY, MSN, BSN, RN
Fear is a word that all of us try to ignore, and most of the time, we deny it. Being afraid is a natural emotion or reaction to some situations. According to the King James Version Dictionary, fear is defined as a painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger, and expresses less apprehension than dread, and dread less than terror and fright.
As a child, the introduction to fear can be simple or complex, passing or sustained throughout a lifetime. For example, childhood fear of the roller coaster can fade over time; however, remains recessed in the corners of one’s mind. Fear, when introduced as an adult, can trigger lifelong changes and can redirect one’s goals, ambitions, and self-image.
Recently, the word was explored in conversation with a group of nursing professionals of varied ages. Novice nurses expressed the common fear of achievement and the apprehension of what’s to come. As a novice, nurses carry great responsibility as they too hold the lives of many in the palm of their hands. And whether good or bad the outcomes, the novice nurse feels the same responsibility as does the nurse who has practiced for decades. According to a 2016 study published in Journal of Caring Sciences, transition to practice can be a very difficult period. Fear for the novice can be examined and described as a period of questioning their own nursing knowledge and ability to do their jobs well.
While older, more seasoned nurses are said to be the most skilled and productive employees, the ability to retain the wealth of knowledge and skill has become difficult for many organizations. Older nurses have been viewed as more dedicated and loyal, and take less time off. Still, with new technologies, older nurses express a fear of being unable to keep the technological pace now being required, such as those skills required to preserve the integrity of PHI. The older nurse holds or possesses the skills and expertise to support the organization while
maintaining patient safety, support, and care. Older nurses also express the fear of being replaced before they have made the decision to leave the profession, or sometimes feeling pressured by anxiety-provoking tasks or assignments that are often seen as attempts to intimidate. Often, this can cause the older or more experienced nurse to self-doubt. Presenting a new world to the older nurse can be threatening and cause the nurse, despite her wealth of experiential knowledge and academic achievements, to feel inadequate.
The ability to climb the academic ladder is challenging and requires self-discipline, focus, and determination that only a few possess early in their career. For the older nurse, many times the academic growth and movement occurs after years of being in the clinical setting versus the novice nurse possessing a doctorate degree but no bank of experiential knowledge.
So, in the perfect and supportive nursing world, the two groups would collide and form one united force to give those in their care their very best. Older nurses have the ability to build the profession by embracing and supporting the novice nurses, providing opportunities for growth and confidence. In turn, the novice nurse has the opportunity to share their vast, new knowledge, and technological skills to add to the restructuring or rebuilding of their organization’s nursing model.
Together, the novice plus the experienced nurses can reduce the fears and apprehensions while celebrating the new.
