Do you think younger generations have a sense of entitlement?

FrogKissingNurse · May 17, 2011

i totally agree with you! no one takes responsibility for their own actions. it is always someone else's fault that something didn't go to plan.

the entitlement is getting even worse, i see it with the high school kids. no work ethic, i don't have to work if i don't want to work. no pride in a job well done either. the one i hate the most is: my parents will bail me out...

Anisettes, BSN, RN · May 17, 2011

I do notice it in some people, though by no means all. I think a lot of it is that people raise their kids differently these days, no one dares to even correct anyone else child no matter how gross the offense.

When I was a kid, I could expect to get spanked by any adult if I misbehaved and again by my parents when they found out about it. When I was kid, you didn't get a ribbon for anything unless you were 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. Now EVERY kid is rewarded - even for no effort. So what have you just taught that kid? That he is owed it, he doesn't have to earn it. And don't dare correct him for anything, one of his parents will chew you out, punch you out, or threaten to sue.

That's only one of the possible causes, but yes, I have noticed that more and more. And this thing of kids slapping their parents (I saw it the other day in a fast food restaurant). I'd have been put in the ground and wouldn't be posting this now, if I'd dared such a thing. The thought would never have even occurred to me, let alone would I have possessed the balls to actually do it.

ktwlpn, LPN · May 17, 2011

You know,when I was going through school there were always "winners" and" loosers". A generation later "looser" were abolished-everyone became a "winner" Everyone was rewared with a prize for everything. You are seeing the result. AND cheers to you for noticing-you must not be one of them... I hate stereotypes and generalizations but -what you are saying is so true. Try working with them-I have never seen anything like it. No work ethic,no consideration at all for others. I have a 21 yr old and he actually goes to work every day-unlike a few of his buddies. He was also taught basic customer service at two of his previous jobs-his customers loved him because he actually looked them in the eyes and greeted them! I also see the other end of the spectrum,too. I work in LTC and there is a generation there with the same issues.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 17, 2011

Yeah if I slapped my parents I wouldn't be able to live to talk about it.

I also don't think I should get a kudos for becoming a LPN at 20, and currently working on a RN degree.

I have no choice, if I want to make a life for myself and future family. My sociology teacher told us the first day that she would not give us a grade simply because we asked and she sure did not. I had to re-write a paper if I wanted to pass the class. BTW- I earned my A.

BrookeeLou_RN · May 17, 2011

i totally agree with you! no one takes responsibility for their own actions. it is always someone else's fault that something didn't go to plan.
the entitlement is getting even worse, i see it with the high school kids. no work ethic, i don't have to work if i don't want to work. no pride in a job well done either. the one i hate the most is: my parents will bail me out...

i see this in dealing with business. receptionist at dentist flew off at me because an earlier customer upset her??!! i told her it was not my problem and she responded it certainly was not hers!! and the young mgr was standing right there. and they are new in town..when i finish the work i paid for i will never go back and i will not recommend them to anyone, and frankly they do not care. my own children blame everything on someone else and i know they were not raised that way. i find it discouraging. only time i will assist is if grandkids need food. i used to try to help but received no thanks at all acted like it was my job.

caregiver1977 · May 17, 2011

I think the OP is right, and I think it is mostly the fault of parents. When I see what some kids have for parents, I shudder...literally.

And yes, I am a parent.

RNperdiem, RN · May 17, 2011

I don't see entitlement as new problem.

To be an adolescent is to be fairly self-centered and yes, entitled.

Eventually we outgrow the self-centeredness of youth, or can no longer get away with it.

Exposure to the real working world gets rid of entitlement for most of us.

What has changed is that people are slower to assume the role of mature, independent adults.

merrythoughts · May 17, 2011

No, I think nursing schools don't really inspire the kind of learning that students crave anymore. Students want a different style of learning than the nursing school gives them, causing frustration. My own experience in nursing school, in additional to hearing others' stories of nursing school, and seeing students on clinical on my floor, there's a power play going on.

Many older nurses utilize a more traditional model of authority. Teacher says "this is right," and students are not to question. Med-surg tests are rife with ambiguity, yet the med-surg instructor will act as though there is a definite right answer (which technically, there is one right answer on the answer key...).

However, since nursing school is becoming more and more incorporated into higher education and the university setting (Bachelor degrees/masters degrees/etc), there is some cognitive dissonance occurring. In most other degree programs in the university setting, questioning the professor is more than allowed and often encouraged. It's not about entitlement, it's about feeling like a participant in the learning process.

Many nursing schools are still using older educational models (which, I find ironic since as nurses, we're always supposed to be up-to-date with evidence-based practice and always tout the importance of bachelors/masters degrees), and the students are being groomed in high school for a more "typical" university degree. Instead, nursing schools have a different method of instruction that is still....in my opinion, pretty darn old fashioned. But, in many ways, nursing schools' hands are tied, because they must be inspected and accredited by agencies that may (or may not?) need to reevaluate their standards and ideologies.

I digress. The nursing instructors often complain that students are acting entitled when they argue about different answers on tests; however, I think there is just an issue of being on different wavelengths as to what kind of education is desirable.

Hmm. Also, there probably are just some whiny baby nursing school kids who don't know what a good education is and don't know how to study. But, you'll see that everywhere. This may be a result of high school grade inflation and not enough preparation to jump through the annoying/hard hoops of studying.

I have received two bachelor degrees in totally different departments and have worked with many different generations of nurses and many students of other disciplines. I don't think younger nurses feel more entitled at all.

texasmum · May 17, 2011

Good thread! I can see this from all sides: I AM a 43 year old nursing student; I work part-time as a research assistant at a local junior college and I have a 20 year old daughter. There is a big difference in kids - but before I address it - hit your parent? I would have been knocked into next week! My kiddo definitely has her issues but she has also worked since she was 16, including a stint for three months last summer working with disabled kids. She was a dorm assistant this year and it was so funny -The questions some of her residents ask? "um, who cleans my bathroom? Well, let me explain that to you, chickee, YOU DO! Who do I call if I need TP? CVS is in walking distance" : )

JenniferSews · May 17, 2011

Just the younger generation? Did no one say the same thing 10-20-30 years ago?

Judging from my patients, it's not just the 20 something's who feel entitled. The (insert age group here) somethings just express it differently. They've become either more obstinate or more passive aggressive, but the sense that everyone owes them something is the same underlying theme.

Piper17 · May 17, 2011

I agree, I think it just depends on how you were raised/what type of person you are, not necessarily your age or generation.