A newly graduated registered nurse should be assigned to which patient?

• A. An unstable patient requiring ongoing airway management.
• B. A stable patient who requires new teaching.
• C. A postoperative patient in need of rapid discharge planning.
• D. A patient in the ICU with multiple vasopressors.

Answer: (B)

For a new graduate, assignments should prioritize safety while allowing learning under supervision. A stable patient who requires teaching fits this best because the patient is not at immediate risk of deterioration, giving the new nurse time to plan and deliver education, assess understanding, and reinforce instructions with support from a preceptor. This setting lets the nurse develop essential skills—communication, patient education, and basic care documentation—without the pressure of managing unstable physiology or urgent interventions.

The other scenarios demand higher levels of expertise: an unstable patient needing ongoing airway management carries a real risk of sudden deterioration and requires rapid, advanced clinical decision-making; a postoperative patient needing rapid discharge planning involves coordinating multiple services and assessing discharge readiness, which can be complex and time-sensitive; and a patient in the ICU on multiple vasopressors indicates significant hemodynamic instability requiring intensive monitoring and specialized critical care skills. These situations are better suited to more experienced staff or closer supervision.

So, the stable patient who needs teaching provides the safest, most appropriate environment for a new graduate to begin practicing under supervision while building confidence and competence.