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....

[perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN]

I am 26 and have been working at one job or another since I was 17. I have seen people of all ages with lack of work ethic and lack of teamwork, etc. I am lucky in that where I work now, the shift I work, there are VERY few lazy people or people who lack teamwork.

Yes, I love my job most days; I take good care of my patients and always help out my coworkers when possible. Yes, there are some rare times when everyone is caught up and patients are all sleeping, that I may be found checking email or facebook for a few minutes. What's wrong with that, versus reading a book or talking with a co-worker? I'm still there and available to help as soon as I am needed.

And for those of you who say you are baby boomers and complain about this generation of 20-somethings and how we were raised: well, for the most part, you are the ones who raised us.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

I'm in my early 30s, and I work to live too. When I still had a job, I worked overtime so that the bills got paid, so that there was food on the table, so that there was money in savings, so that my car was paid for, so that my life existed. I worked long, hard hours.

I had a hard time working with a lot of my co-workers who were just a few years younger than I am. They would call off hungover, call off to go to the bar, et cetera, et cetera. I've never understood exactly when responsibility begins to hit you over the head with a stick. These were the same people who would curl up in the lobby and fall asleep at night. And yet, now, I'm the one without the job. Go figure.

So sorry you are out of work. That truly sucks. Sounds like you are a responsible, reliable person who wants to find a great job. Good luck to you.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

...And for those of you who say you are baby boomers and complain about this generation of 20-somethings and how we were raised: well, for the most part, you are the ones who raised us.

Aha! Touché.

[egglady, LPN]

I am sorry, but I disagree,perfectbluebuildings, the baby boomer generation did not raise you, your parents did. Just as I raised my kids. Obviously your parents taught you the value of an education and the importance of work ethic, as I taught my kids. Not all parents did, or do!

[RNforLongTime]

The only one watching out for me is ME. My employer doesn't give a rat's a** in hell how many extra shifts I work or what I bring to the company. They want a body to fill in the space that will earn them their profits. PERIOD.

DITTO! My employer did not give us our usual annual rasies due to the poor economy this year. We are so short staffed in my unit with one RN out on maternity leave for another two months..she's already been off for two months...two RN's have resigned...NO ONE has been hired to replace them. The rest of us aren't allowed to take our EARNED vacation time because there's no one left to work in our place. Our old unit leader "resigned" over a year ago and the DON is technically our unit leader but she is so busy with her other duties that she doesn't have time to deal with the day to day issues that come up. None of my coworkers give a rats behind if they show up to work late and two of the "day babes" show up late EVERY day!!! One of them should've been fired by now for her chronic lateness but we need her so it's overlooked yet I am on time EVERY DAY and I live the farthest away of any other RN that works in my unit. Even in winter when it's a blizzard outside, I am never late. No one cares but me apparently.

RN's are NOT beating down the door to come work at my facility and there's good reason for that and it's because management treats us like crap!! Most of the nurses in this area are well aware of that fact and choose not to work here. Our new schedule is due to start in 6 days but it's still not out yet because there isn't enough staff to adequately staff the unit. God forbid you need a day off....DENIED!