How are "older" grads accepted?

Nurses General Nursing

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I've read here, several times, that "Nurses eat their young" and am hoping that this isn't the "norm" out there .... :)

I am wondering tho, what the reaction is to the "older" grad nurse joining the team?

Thanks for the input!

Hugs!

MaryRose :balloons:

No, No, No!! I've been the one responsible for training the new staff. My unit Loves new nurses, but we have very high expectations! My experience has taught me that a nurse with 7 years exp. can have soo many bad habits I can't break them. A new nurse is an ABSOLUTE treasure! Being older, gives you many more experiences in life that I have had, I hope to learn from you.

This may not be in nursing skills, but in learning in general. How do I say this without offending others? ...No offense.. I've enjoyed my experiences with older nurses because they posess a knowledege about handeling patients in a variety of situations that as a new grad, I would have made a mess of. I find older nurses take more time in skills training, yet have this uncanny knack for relating to patients.

Any new nurse is a blessing a nurse with real world exp. is the icing on the cake :balloons:

Find a unit that feels the same, you'll flourish!!!!

Good luck to you!

No, No, No!! I've been the one responsible for training the new staff. My unit Loves new nurses, but we have very high expectations! My experience has taught me that a nurse with 7 years exp. can have soo many bad habits I can't break them. A new nurse is an ABSOLUTE treasure! Being older, gives you many more experiences in life that I have had, I hope to learn from you.

This may not be in nursing skills, but in learning in general. How do I say this without offending others? ...No offense.. I've enjoyed my experiences with older nurses because they posess a knowledege about handeling patients in a variety of situations that as a new grad, I would have made a mess of. I find older nurses take more time in skills training, yet have this uncanny knack for relating to patients.

Any new nurse is a blessing a nurse with real world exp. is the icing on the cake :balloons:

Find a unit that feels the same, you'll flourish!!!!

Good luck to you!

I'm hoping my love of people and desire to learn will take me far along this path when I get there. Your response is very encouraging!!

Hugs!

MaryRose :)

I got my RN when I turned 40 as I promised myself. My feeling is where I go people who don't know I'm new are surprised I'm new. Only one person has tried to eat me alive. I had them for dessert. You are who you are. You know what you know. And you will learn what others offer. The rest is up to you. By the by, I didn't have her for dessert, I pressed her for more information.

Specializes in Neuro Critical Care.

I love new nurses no matter what their age, as long as they are willing to learn and be a team player. I haven't seen any age discrimination so far!

I did some research on the "eating our young" concept for some course work. Unfortunately, it does happen all too often. BUT there are countless places where it doesn't happen and they are GREAT places to work! I am currently trying to develop a better orientation program here and am finding that there are some personalities here that just will not make good preceptors/"orientaters" and that they are sometimes seen as the "munchers" -- when in actuality they are just not quite the right fit for the teaching process.....

...frustration enters the mix sometimes too -- I mean lets face it, we are all busy: heavy patient loads, complex procedures...sometimes training someone makes the load a little more stressfull for some.

....I have always loved being the preceptor person! It is so much fun to work with people who are excited about doing new stuff!!

I like how folks are encouraging ya to find your nitch!! When you find the fit -- it's great!! Regardless of your age and/or experience level!!:)

Glad to see another WINGS fan onthe site!!!!

Having moved out of state -- I have decided that (and tell my kids) "Loyalty has nothing to do with location -- once a wings fan -- always a wings fan!!

How do you think Hatcher's going to do?! Wasn't Shanny's hat trick noght the greatest last night!?

:rotfl: LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Age has NADA to do with it. As stated above, you are who you are.

Just be yourself, do what you love, and the rest will follow. Some ppl love you, some ppl hate you... no matter where, or what career you choose.

C'est la vie.

At this wonderful "mature" age, we have the benefit of not having to give a hoot what ppl think anymore ! YOU know who you are and what you're capable of... do it well, and the heck with what others think ! :coollook:

As long as your PATIENTS respect you, what else matters ? :)

.....

At this wonderful "mature" age, we have the benefit of not having to give a hoot what ppl think anymore !

Isn't it grand to not feel the stress of that anymore! It sure makes life a lot more fun!

Thanks for the input!

Hugs!

MaryRose :)

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Yeah, BABY !!! :chuckle

The older I get, the more vocal I get. Not that I would ever be purposely rude or crude... or insensitive. But I will and DO speak my mind anymore, and love that liberated feeling of not having to worry about all the "smalll stuff" ... "who's saying what about me"?

I frankly don't CARE !!! :D I've EARNED this state of mind !

It's wonderful to get to that point in life when you KNOW who you are, accept yourself with all the good AND bad, and just LIVE.

I enjoy taking the GOOD of every day, and leaving the rest behind for others to squabble over. ;)

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

We older nurses will leave you alone. You will however be eaten by the younger nurses. Sorry. :)

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

what is "older" anymore anyhow?

i agree w/jnette. just be real. just be strong...grow a strong backbone and thick skin and you will never go wrong there.......really.

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