A CLEAR CASE
of HAZING
Tina and Jack are both new graduate nurses in their first
nursing job on the med-surg unit. Tina's preceptor, Della, is consistently hard on Tina,
often ordering her to perform tasks that make her uncomfortable and castigating her for
any mistake. If Tina expresses discomfort with this harsh treatment, Della gives her
disapproving looks and wonders aloud if Tina "has what it takes" to be a nurse.
Curiously, Della seems to be very kind to most of the other nurses — except the new
grads. Jack reports receiving similarly rough treatment. When he sees Della in the hall, she
often makes remarks like, "You okay? You remind me of other nurses who didn't make it."
It makes Jack grateful that his own preceptor is a patient, supportive teacher.
Needless to say, Tina finds this situation very stressful, leaving her wondering if she
made the right choice in becoming a nurse. Is Tina being hazed?
BY RENEE THOMPSON, RN, DNP, DMSRN, CSP ILLUSTRATION BY JASMIN MORA
HEALTHY WORKFORCE
12 Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com
June 10–July 15, 2019
