Great response Pink... I am indeed a nurse. My essential point basically echoed what perpetuallysad was saying in that change is uncomfortable for everyone. It's totally fine for you to be honest with this new staff member and let her know about the anxiety or discomfort you're feeling related to her just starting there. There's nothing wrong with that at all... in fact it's great. You'd be stating how you feel but undoubtedly how the rest of the group (the new nurse included) feel as well. It's hard when group members change, especially the leader. So your feelings related to all this seems to be completely normal.

To Pachyderm... I don't think Pink has to take care of this new nurse at all. She can, however, express her concerns, discomforts, and anxieties related to the new nurse being there in a diplomatic and non-confrontational way. Of course she can't know how the new nurse is going to react to things but we can all be mindful of the way we say things or present things. From my experiences it always works better in group situations when we say things with the understanding that other people have feelings as well. Converations go better when no one seems to be "attacking" anyone else with their words.

That's all my point is... absolutely tell new nurse that she makes you uncomfortable or that you're uncertain of how she's going to respond if you bring up something challenging. Of course you're thinking she looks young, or she looks fragile but she doesn't need to know that... not at first. She will probably totally surprise you with how she handles challenges. Good luck again!!!