old school vs. new school

[camjones]

I have been reading countless stories about older, more experienced nurses bullying on new, just graduated nurses. I wanted to know if anyone has experienced this type of behavior (either had it happen to you or witnessed it) in your work settings. How do you deal with it? Is it better to stay quiet and just deal with it or do you speak up for yourself?

[carolina4]

i just started as a new grad in the sticu and my preceptor is the oldest in the unit, been there some 24 years, and she is AMAZING. thank God for her...so no, i dont think all of them do, but i also show her a great amount of respect b/c she deserves it..she's been there forever and is super smart.

[Lacie, BSN, RN]

On the other side of the coin, I have seen new nurses act like know-it-alls and totally disrespect the older nurse. Respect goes both ways. Listen and learn from the experienced nurses and don't be so quick to label good old fashioned experience as " old school ways".

Have seen this over and over. Too many times. I am more than happy to help along any new nurse but when you come off as a "know it all" then why do you need me? It's not really "old school ways" but maybe we have been at it long enough to know the ins and outs that you havent encountered yet. If you give respect you will earn respect. It's not owed to you just because you finally have that RN. I have seen too many times new nurses point to thier name badge and say "See this, I'm an RN so I"m in charge!" to my cna's and techs. I would never show disrespect to any of my staff just because I have the RN on my name tag. Or the old "that's not in my job description" lol.