What is reality shock in nursing?
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Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, Being13th EditionMichael R Solomon 449 solutions Social Psychology10th EditionElliot Aronson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers, Timothy D. Wilson 525 solutions Myers' Psychology for AP2nd EditionDavid G Myers 900 solutions Myers' Psychology for the AP Course3rd EditionC. Nathan DeWall, David G Myers 955 solutions For freshly graduated nurses, entering the working world can be a challenge. New nurses face an all-new set of coworkers and a novel environment that operates by its own set of rules and assumptions, all of which nurses must learn and adapt to quickly. At the same time, they must manage the task of putting a huge volume of theoretical learning into real-life practice. The adjustment period can prove so stressful that up to 30 percent of new nurses leave the profession within their first year of employment, according to a study cited in the Sage Journal article, Faculty’s Role in Assisting New Graduate Nurses’ Adjustment to Practice. Nurse managers can guide young nurses through this transition by helping them understand and prepare for the issues they may face in their new jobs. Doing so not only makes new nurses more resilient, it also lowers the attrition rate, helps departments run more smoothly, and improves delivery of care to patients. A good educational background can help nurse managers do the important work of preparing the next generation of nurses. Academic programs such as Duquesne University’s Nurse Education & Faculty Role MSN teach nurse manager candidates the theories and techniques that help new staff acclimate, as well as how to cope with their own new nurse manager challenges. Also offering Post-Master’s Certificate programs to meet the needs of all healthcare providers, Duquesne’s online master’s in nursing prepares students to be effective nurse managers or enter a variety of other MSN careers. Culture ShockThe first issue for new nurses—and, indeed, for new workers in any profession—is a phenomenon called culture shock. Most often applied to people who travel to or live in foreign countries for extended periods, culture shock can also apply to anyone who needs to adjust to an unfamiliar professional or social environment. In an article on the website Medium, the organization Participate Learning describes the four stages of culture shock. Although the article discusses world travelers, the stages are equally relevant to new nurses:
Reality ShockWhile culture shock can affect anyone, anywhere, in any profession, a related term called “reality shock” has been coined specifically to describe the nursing profession. Described by Marlene Kramer in her 1974 book Reality Shock: Why Nurses Leave Nursing, reality shock has stages nearly identical to culture shock—but the concept recognizes that new nurses face uniquely difficult professional challenges. It incorporates these challenges into four parts:
How Nurse Managers Can HelpNew nurses can’t completely avoid culture shock and reality shock, but nurse managers can be a big help in easing the transition. Although there are endless ways to do this, limited only by the nurse manager’s creativity, the website Ausmed explains that four strategies are proven to be especially effective:
Along with these major strategies, a good nurse manager can support staff through other behaviors such as open communication, effective organization, emotional support during difficult cases, constructive feedback, and much more. Any or all of these factors can result in a happier staff and a more effective medical team. About Duquesne University’s Master of Science in Nursing ProgramDuquesnes University offers several online master’s nursing programs including: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Forensic Nursing, Nursing Education, Executive Nurse Leadership to prepare RNs in all stages of their careers. The university offers both MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate degree programs in all three concentrations and provides one-on-one faculty support to encourage academic success. The university’s MSN in Nursing Education and Faculty Role prepares graduates for the Certification for Nurse Educators (CNE) exam. For more information, contact Duquesne University today. SourcesTransition from student to nurse and role of nurse managers – Ausmed Nurses leaving profession within first year – Sage Journals Culture shock – Medium Reality shock – Sage Journals How nurse managers can help – Ausmed How do nurses deal with reality shock?TIP: Critical strategies to ease through the shock phase include: finding a mentor for guidance, taking care of yourself physically and emotionally (be sure to get enough sleep, eat properly, and laugh frequently), and developing a support network, which usually includes fellow nurses.
What are the causes of reality shock?Reality shock is a major problem faced by young employees when they first start work, a period known as the “socialization stage” (Schein, 1978). It is caused by differences between ideals or expectations and the reality of entering employment (Schein, 1978).
What are the common reactions to reality shock?Common feelings leading to reality shock often involve exhaustion, cynicism, depersonalization, decreased self-efficacy, and decreased job satisfaction.
What is the first phase of the reality shock process?Reality shock has four phases – the honeymoon phase, the shock phase, recovery and resolution.
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