Difference between a graduate nurse & a experienced nurse

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

the don where i work send this to me via e-mail, wanted to share...

differences...

a graduate nurse throws up when the patient does.

an experienced nurse calls housekeeping when a patient throws up

a graduate nurse wears so many pins on their name badge you can't read it.

an experienced nurse doesn't wear a name badge for liability reasons

a graduate nurse charts too much.

an experienced nurse doesn't chart enough.

a graduate nurse loves to run to codes.

an experienced nurse makes graduate nurses run to codes.

a graduate nurse wants everyone to know they are a nurse.

an experienced nurse doesn't want anyone to know they are a nurse.

a graduate nurse keeps detailed notes on a pad.

an experienced nurse writes on the back of their hand, paper scraps, napkins, etc.

a graduate nurse will spend all day trying to reorient a patient.

an experienced nurse will chart the patient is disoriented and restrain them.

a graduate nurse can hear a beeping i-med at 50 yards.

an experienced nurse can't hear any alarms at any distance.

a graduate nurse loves to hear abnormal heart and breath sounds.

an experienced nurse doesn't want to know about them unless the patient is symptomatic.

a graduate nurse spends 2 hours giving a patient a bath.

an experienced nurse lets the cna give the patient a bath.

a graduate nurse thinks people respect nurses.

an experienced nurse knows everybody blames everything on the nurse.

a graduate nurse looks for blood on a bandage hoping they will get to change it.

an experienced nurse knows a little blood never hurt anybody.

a graduate nurse looks for a chance "to work with the family."

an experienced nurse avoids the family.

a graduate nurse expects meds and supplies to be delivered on time.

an experienced nurse expects them to never be delivered at all.

a graduate nurse will spend days bladder training an incontinent patient.

an experienced nurse will insert a foley catheter.

a graduate nurse always answers their phone.

an experienced nurse checks their caller id before answering the phone.

a graduate nurse thinks psych patients are interesting.

an experienced nurse thinks psych patients are crazy.

a graduate nurse carries reference books in their bag.

an experienced nurse carries magazines, lunch, and some "cough syrup" in their bag.

a graduate nurse doesn't find this funny.

an experienced nurse does.

life tips.

just seems divisive to me. I don't get why nurses are so hyper critical of eachother.

Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

and the beat goes on....

Specializes in med-tele/ER.

It's incredibly rude to both new grads and experienced nurses.

Specializes in Pedi.

This is my favorite one: "An experienced nurse doesn't want anyone to know they are a nurse." Soooo true. My mother always feels the need to go meet my neighbors when she's over my house and tell them I'm a nurse and every time she does it, I'm thinking "what are you doing?"

Close runner up: "A Graduate Nurse expects meds and supplies to be delivered on time.

An experienced nurse expects them to never be delivered at all."

Yup, when I worked in the hospital and people would complain about medications being 2 hours late from pharmacy, I'd just say, "Suzy, you are expecting too much." ;) And yes, I am a little jaded.

Specializes in kids.

While I get it probably is meant to be taken tongue in cheek, it seems a little harsh, just my $0.02

Specializes in Med Surg.

I think it's funny! I'm coming up on my one year anniversary and can see where I've gone from fitting the graduate nurse to experienced nurse in some of these. Thanks for sharing!

I think it is hilarious! I am not a nurse, (new or experienced), but have experienced a lot on this list as a CNA for years! Thanks for sharing!

Specializes in ICU.

I don't find it rude or insensitive. I find it to be all too true. These sayings listed above are definitely accurate descriptions of the two. (and yes, for those who ask, I am experienced!)

Loved it!!!

Hahahahahaha. I am a graduate nurse (haven't taken NCLEX yet), and I still find this funny. Hell, I find myself more like the experienced nurse at times. I cover my name badge at work, I don't always like telling people I am a nurse, I know people don't generally respect nurses, and I found this funny as hell.

Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

Well I love it !!! Thank you OP.. Writing on a napkin is me to a T. My co-workers get a kick out of all my notes on a napkin.. They have learned NOT to throw them away :)

I soo love this! Guess Im experienced because that was hilarious!!

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