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Whether you're a new nurse, have been one, or love someone who is, you know that stepping into this career is both exciting and overwhelming. Newly graduated nurses bring fresh energy, deep commitment, and a passion for meaningful patient care, but transitioning from nursing school to real-world practice can be daunting.
New nurses bring optimism, new knowledge, and an eagerness to make an impact. However, stress, long hours, emotional strain, and workplace challenges take their toll. According to the 2024 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report, approximately 23.8% of all newly hired nurses leave their jobs within their first year, and nearly 50% leave within two years. This statistic underscores the urgent need for programs that support early-career nurses, as high turnover rates contribute to ongoing staffing shortages and increased pressure on remaining healthcare professionals.
We at CODE YOU are stepping in with a bold new focus for 2025—dedicating our efforts to reaching, caring for, and supporting new nurses. Our mission is clear: help new nurses thrive in their chosen profession.
A Personal Reflection: My First Two Years in Nursing
When I began my nursing career in the late 90s on an oncology floor, I felt a mix of excitement and fear. I was often insecure and overwhelmed, questioning whether I truly belonged in this demanding field. The responsibility of caring for critically ill patients weighed heavily on me, leading to many sleepless nights filled with anxiety about forgetting to complete tasks that could jeopardize a patient’s life.
Unlike many new nurses, I was fortunate not to experience bullying; however, I struggled to find camaraderie among my colleagues. There were few people who truly understood what I was going through, and without a strong support system, I often felt isolated and alone. Looking back, I realize that having a network of mentors and peers to guide and reassure me would have made a significant difference.
This experience is why I believe so strongly in the mission of CODE YOU and the importance of investing in new nurses. Despite their passion and resilience, new nurses face considerable challenges, from staffing shortages to emotional exhaustion. No nurse should have to navigate these difficulties alone. CODE YOU is dedicated to providing mentorship, guidance, and restorative retreats to empower new nurses to build long-lasting and fulfilling careers in healthcare.
How CODE YOU Retreats Help New Nurses Thrive
CODE YOU's half-day Nurse Retreats are designed to address new nurses' stress and challenges, offering them a space to restore, reconnect, and build resilience. Held at a retreat center near the San Antonio Medical Center, these experiences provide:
Educational Workshops on spiritual self-care, stress management, and resilience tailored to the unique challenges of new graduate nurses.
Mindfulness Practices, including prayer, meditative walking, and body scanning, support emotional wellbeing and help one reconnect with inner strength.
Small Group Sessions foster peer support and safe spaces to share experiences, reducing the isolation many new nurses feel.
Artistic and Reflective Journaling alongside Spiritual Self-Care Goal-Setting, helping nurses create personalized plans for sustained wholistic wellbeing.
As mentioned, our support doesn't end with the retreat. CODE YOU provides ongoing mentoring, life coaching, and spiritual direction to help new nurses continue applying these strategies in their daily lives.
Join CODE YOU's Mission
CODE YOU is dedicated to reducing nurse burnout and building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient nursing workforce. Our focus for 2025 is on supporting new nurses. We invite you to be part of this vital mission. Whether you are a new nurse seeking support, an experienced nurse looking to mentor, or an organization ready to invest in nurse wellbeing, there is a place for you in this movement.
Together, we can create a future where new nurses remain in the profession and thrive, bringing their passion, skills, and care to the patients and communities that need them most.
References
NSI Nursing Solutions, Inc. (2024). 2024 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report. Retrieved from www.nsinursingsolutions.com
Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 15(3-4), 64–71. https://doi.org/10.1177/1527154414547953Tate, S. (2024). Registered nurses leaving the profession in the first two years. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 29(2). https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol29No02Man06
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