Ive read many posts regarding here from newer nurses complaining of being treated less than kindly from seasoned nurses. I am a new nurse, working with a seasoned nurse. She comes off as angry and unfriendly as she is constantly yelling and clearly frustrated. However, after carefully listening to her views, I have fully come to understand her frustration and know thats it NOT personal. She is disgusted with the nursing profession in general. She has been a nurse for 36 years and is very experienced and knowledgeable. As she watches over me during my orientation, she sees that preceptor sleeping for 2 hours while Im on my own. Literally... This is every night. Each nite I have a difference preceptor, and each nite they sleep, stay in the nursing station and let me pretty much go on my own. She told me the other night, this is terrible and she is "embarassed." She seems to actually feel sorry for me, because she was not trained in this lackadaisal type mentality. My preceptors are newer nurses, with 2-3 yrs of experience maximum. This profession that she takes so much pride in, is crumbling, and shes sick of it. So to the newer nurses, sometimes the older nurses arent as mean as they may appear, they may simply be disgusted at the changes they have seen. And want new nurses to respect our position as much as they do... so my simple advice to new nurse, dont take things personally if all doesnt seem well intially, keep your eyes open, listen carefully and learn from them.. even if their is a little grumbling! :)