In the article, “New Graduates: A Precious Critical Care Resource” (October 2003:47–50), much time and effort went into describing the nursing shortage and educational paths toward emotional mentoring of new graduates. This article underlines some real issues that need to be addressed. There is a reason people over age 40, or under age 40 for that matter, don’t stay at the bedside. Who wants to work long hours, weekends, holidays, and night shifts? Who wants to tolerate an undermining pay scale, verbally abusive medical staff, and unrealistic administration? Indeed, new graduates are our precious resource; it is important to nurture them the best we can. However, sooner or later, our new graduates will come to the conclusion that bedside nursing is a hard profession. There is a reason nurses go back to school to get their master’s or doctoral degrees: for better and higher-paying jobs with less stress, better hours,...

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