Dinosaurs in the unit

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Yes I am sure in every unit or specialty there is an ancient crabby nurse that rips everyone to shreds. How in the world do you handle such a person w/o going sending them to Jurassic Park?:roll

I may be wrong but I think that age is not a big factor in the dinasaur syndrome, it can affect any age, any profession.

Also, think it has more to do with "self-esteem" issues than anything. Somewhere along the way in that persons life led them to a low self esteem and therefore the coping mechanism is the bullying, controlling etc. attitude. Deep down inside they are fearful of their own inadequacies. They achieve some type of "power" high by belittling others, it's very sad and those are the people who should not be instructors !!!

I think this type of behavior is a danger to the workplace and management should have a "no tolerance to bullying policy" Then again, if management is the "bully" who does one turn to?

My heart goes out to anyone who has been bullied, you don't deserve it. You don't own it, it is the bullies problem. If a bully isn't asked to leave or modify behavior, I would certainly leave, not to run, but to remove myself from a "no win" situation. Move on and be an asset to another facility. It is their loss.

mkue

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

I think that many of the dinosaurs, as you called them, are a bit crabby because one...how would you feel working till you are 65 on your feet for 8-16 hours a day, aching back, etc?? Someday, you may be in those shoes and support hose! :p Two...most newer grads were not taught to respect their senior nurses!

Between me and you...I 'd rather work with a mean ole dinosaur than one of these new grads we have that think that they should have the world handed to them on a platter and with a big smile! :devil:

So..would I be a mean ole dinosaur with 16 years under my belt?

NICUgal I understand what your saying. There are poeple who don't respect each other, and they don't respect older folks by default.

My Algebra 95 instructor is from europe and is an excellent teacher. He goes non-stop on Saturday from 8 -1, thats 5 hours, with breaks.

I can take it, but the younger students start breaking down after 2-3 hours. I mean, he is an excellent teacher, but the younger students don't like him, because he calls on us (heaven forbid) and he engages us individually at least once during a class. Some instructors will go on and on, but this guy uses real examples.

During yesterdays class, one of the students, in a very mean way, told him not to try to talk to her and that she was uncomfortable with him calling on her. It was in a very mean way. I was tempted to come to his defense, but let it go.

Don't hafta worry about handing the world to me, I already have the world, and everything in it. ......... don't let the age thing become an issue, it all ready is ......... now just deal with it......good night JohnBoy........Good Night Pa.......(chimes play)

by some I would be old dino, by others............., and by others................but then It is who I am and who I am as a nurse that counts............

it is not the age thing.........it comes down more to respect and values.........and expectations.........

and now the (chimes ring)

hehehehehe,

micro

I guess I was fortunate---almost every instructor I had in nursing school was at least kind to her students. No bullies. Did have a few who were obviously escaping to acadamia (sp?)and really into quoting statistics and research, but that was the worst of it...they were the ones "in a fog" and kinda way out there...LOL! I remember them fondly now!

The worst and most destructive nurse bullies I have encountered have been the nasty breed of manipulative, control freak types that go into management and systematically make their staffs miserable. A good hearted , kind nurse manager is worth her weight in gold and I haven't had many, unfortunately!!:( One learns to tread carefully out there and be on good terms with all as much as possible!!;)

Well I would like to thank all of you for you responses. I just put out that question never meant to offend. In my thread I stated crabby old nurses. I know all very experienced nurses are not nor old crabby! As usual someone always trying to defend a simple statement. If it doesn't pertain to you don't respond to the thread. I work with a nurse that was very the best to her co workers she can come off brash but I seek the knowledge and respect her.

I was merely expressing nurses who were older that made life a living hell in their unit and how does one deal with them that is all! I wish nurses take for what is written and not for what they want to see.

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