Do you see a generational gap in nursing?

[egglady]

I don't know if it is just me, or just where I work, but I am seeing a major generational gap between nurses. The ones in their mid 20's just seem to be lacking a work ethic. I am not an old foggie, I am 43. the newer gals just dont get why they cant have day shift, or every holiday off, or why seniority in a union facility counts. They do not understand that it has taken many of us more than 10 years to get full time, or day shift, and that we all have to work holidays. I spent many Christmas at work instead of with my kids. I havent used sick time in 3 years. some of these new ones call in with the weirdest ailments, just to find out they were hung over!! I am not bashing young nurses, or "eating the young". I am just seeing a lack of work ethic with this generation. My friend who is in business sees the same. Did we as parents screw this generation up some how? Or will they eventually grow up? Again, not bashing anyone, just curious....

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

I won't agree that all 20-somethings are like this. I'm on the "younger" side, I suppose (I'm 30, although I FEEL like an old fart ), and I work with several younger nurses, most of whom have a great work ethic. It's very refreshing. I see the entitlement attitude in the age group behind these young nurses....those that are preteens and teenagers now.

For me, I've worked since I was 15, and did babysitting and had a paper route from age 12. In those days, a paper route involved getting up at the crack of dawn EVERY weekend morning! I kept it until I was able to get a part time job, along with spending my summers babysitting full time. I've only ever known working, my dad was STRICT with money and wouldn't even "lend" us kids 50 cents for a soda without charging interest (if he did it at all...his favorite line was, "how do I know when I'm going to be paid back?"....seriously!). I wasn't involved with after school activities, because I had to get to work right after school....in fact, I think I missed out on a lot (but I needed to earn money if I wanted anything!). I had to get my own school loans and work while I was in college, hence having an ADN rather than a BSN (my dad never helped me out with anything, and my mom couldn't afford to). It makes me appreciate where I am, though.

I don't think it's wrong if kids DON'T have part time jobs in order TO participate in after school activities, but most these days don't learn the value of working and earning what you have, everything is handed to them. This translates in to the kind of "adult" employees they become, they feel they "deserve" so much because they've never learned any differently. My nephew plays football, so this takes up a lot of his afternoon time (he isn't old enough to work at all yet, but it would be hard for him when he does get to that age). However, he knows that if he wants some extra money to buy something, he has to earn it...he'll mow my lawn for 5 or 10 bucks, for example. He knows he has to save those earnings to buy something "big" (his most recent purchase was an iTouch, earned with several chores, birthday money, etc). More kids need to be taught this, I think, in order to become good employees when they join the workforce.

[llg, PhD, RN]

So - I don't think there is anything wrong with 20-somethings. They are the natural end-product of the environment in which they were raised. Unfortunately, today's work place is harsher and more unforgiving than ever, so there's an unprecedented mis-match between their expectations and the reality of today's work place. IMHO, They are faced with more reality shock than any previous generation of new grads.

I like the way you said that.

But I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel. A lot of the college-age students I speak seem to be more realistic. They see their older brothers and sisters struggle to find and keep good jobs and don't want to make the same mistakes. With any luck, the "entitled generation" will be a small one -- and many of them will learn to survive in the real world if given a little time and a second chance.

[cwhitebn]

i am a new nurse, in my early 20s and during my first orientation to my new job as an rn we had a lecture on generational gaps...and it's true, they do exist but not because of the "we're lazy" excuse.

my generation, the millenia generation, grew up in a setting where our parents worked hard, were never home with the kids. our generation have decided that our family is more important than our work and i will not be a slave to my work. if i call in sick, it's not cause i'm hung over, lazy, or feel i've done enough....it's cause i want to be with my family.

i work to live; not live to work.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

i am a new nurse, in my early 20s and during my first orientation to my new job as an rn we had a lecture on generational gaps...and it's true, they do exist but not because of the "we're lazy" excuse.

my generation, the millenia generation, grew up in a setting where our parents worked hard, were never home with the kids. our generation have decided that our family is more important than our work and i will not be a slave to my work. if i call in sick, it's not cause i'm hung over, lazy, or feel i've done enough....it's cause i want to be with my family.

i work to live; not live to work.

while i appreciate the not calling in due to being hungover, for me, if i call in sick, it's because i'm sick, not because i'm playing hooky. i have more respect for my coworkers and patients than that....and it's not about putting your job before your family. if you have a reason for being with your family on a day you're scheduled, find someone to cover for you.

[aldfaa]

My 27 year old husband works as supervisor and complains about the young ppl and their lack of work ethic. These young ppl are 5-10 years older than he is!

As a 28 year old, I see individuals of all ages that have poor work ethic. I can think of many young people blthat work hard and go above and beyond what is expected. But I do see some of the entitled attitudes as well.

I am not offended by the writer's post. Often it only takes 1 or 2 examples to stand out and ruin the image of a whole group. Now if someone could just get 30 somethings to go into their patients' rooms more than twice in a 12 hour shift... LOL (sorry been working with 1 nurse too many shifts).

[netglow, ASN, RN]

...They do not understand that it has taken many of us more than 10 years to get full time, or day shift, ...

Wow, I must say that's a lot of waiting for FT or days.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I suspect that the younger people have a different attitude towards the importance of work in their life.

I am old enough to remember the "company man". Any of you out there remember them? You would finish school, join a company and work really hard for the company, and the company would give you lifetime employment, lots of training and if you were ambitious, your ambitions might be rewarded.

Those days are gone, and the younger people have never experienced them or the mutual loyalty and work ethic that went with it.

[JacobK, ADN, EMT-I]

"I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words... When I was young, we were taught to be discreet and respectful of elders, but the present youth are exceedingly disrespectful and impatient of restraint." ~ Hesiod 700 B.C.

There are plenty of hard workers, young and old, and there are plenty of slackers, young and old.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

The biggest generational gap I've seen in nursing has involved technology. I've encountered many older nurses who don't trust computers, and younger nurses who can't live without them.

I'm a 30-something, and I agree that "Milennials" don't have much loyalty toward their employers. It's because we don't see any loyalty from our employers. We saw our parents work hard, give up vacations and holidays, burn the midnight oil, and get laid off anyway. Since we can't count on our employer taking care of us, we have to take care of ourselves. That includes seeking out greener pastures and using our vacation time.

"Why can't they be like we were, perfect in every way? What's the matter with kids today?" - Bye Bye Blackbird

[kids]

Full disclosure - I am definitely old. Therefore, I have the advantage of greater perspective - having seen multiple generations enter into the workplace. Millennials are really different - but it's not due to their DNA, it's due to the way they were reared. They are the products of an environment characterized by massive 'over parenting' and semi-hysterical over protectiveness (sanitize everything!!). Their school years were hard-wired the concept of social promotions to enforce "everyone is a winner" and drive up self esteem at the expense of authentic self awareness and individual responsibility.

HouTx nailed a big part of the issue.

I'm the parent of three 20-somethings and have known the majority of their social circles from kindergarten.

Many of those 'kids' have never been taught that life isn't fair, that accidents and mistakes happen but they still have consequences and sometimes even though you 'tried your best' sometimes your best simply isn't good enough.

My observation is that it's this same group who expect to pass a college class because they paid the tuition and if they don't it's the instructors fault (because they tried real hard and that should count). They also have very little sense of obligation to their coworkers and any attempt at correcting a job performance issue is picking on them (because they tried real hard and everyone makes mistakes).

[Lizzy88]

I agree with some, that not all the 20 somethings have bad work ethics. I think it mostly depends on the person. I have been working since I was 7 or 8 years old (mom and dad own a small business and I was taught to work hard for what you want), even my siblings worked with my parents at an early age, and I still managed to get good grades in school. I am almost 30 but since I graduated high school I was on my own and worked on my own (no more mom and pop business) and until today I've never been to a club, don't drink and don't smoke. I have had many downs in jobs when I just wanted to give up and never show up again but something in me doesn't let me do that, so I suck it up and go to work. This is just to say that not all 20 somethings are alike

My

[shescoolie]

Going back to the original poster's concerns about "putting in your time" before being allowed to work days or full-time is a little hard for many young people to swallow. I agree with most posters in that the way my generation was reared reflects SOME of our attitudes, but think about it... "Eighties babies" as we're called were a product of a generation who had finally taken on an attitude of EQUALITY, women's rights, standing up for what you believe, and in a sense doing what makes YOU happy. Come on those of you who were part of the 70's movement...you threw out the rules that said "do what they say" and took on the "do what you feel". With that attitude being pressed on to the children, you have to credit some of this to the attitude of the new nurse who says I just worked a 12 hour shift just like you did 40-something yr old nurse, why now do I get pushed to the bottom of the list to get a holiday off?

As far as work ethic, that is an individual case. I have some horribly lazy, just awful classmates who should pursue another career yet I've also seen PLEEEEEEENTY of older nurse who are just as lazy as ever. Complaining about EVERY change or new piece of equipment and are down right grumpy. It really is and individual thing.

The culture of nursing is attempting to change and younger nurses are being taught to empower themselves, utilize technology and innovation to create and implement change, and promote an environment that works to gain respect among other health professionals. A piece of me wants to believe that these ideas are also reflected in the ETHICAL young nurse who can't see why she has to "pay her dues" to get a day off.

Just my