You Know You're a Young(er) Nurse when...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

...You realize what area of specality you want to go into and are then able to skip the trenches of bedside Med-Surg that many Old(er) Nurses tell you is mandatory just because they want to put you through the back-breaking Hell they went through before they realized what field they liked. We have Med-Surg Clinicals and Preceptorship already. And I've have a Nurse's Aide job for years. And I am a Sitter...

:mortarboard:

:idea: :redbeathe: :studyowl:

:nurse: :heartbeat:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics (Burn ICU, CVICU).
...You realize what area of specality you want to go into and are then able to skip the trenches of bedside Med-Surg that many Old(er) Nurses tell you is mandatory just because they want to put you through the back-breaking Hell they went through before they realized what field they liked. We have Med-Surg Clinicals and Preceptorship already. And I've have a Nurse's Aide job for years. And I am a Sitter...

I don't believe that the seasoned nurses tell young ones that for the reason you stated. It is because of the time mgt/organizational skills and the chance to actually practice your skills that this is recommended.

I just graduated in May, and I chose not to go into a Med-Surg area. However, I can understand the reason why it would be very helpful.

I think it is very disrespectful that you would stereotype like that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think that you are being cold. I read the 1st page of the threads that you started on your profile. Profile pages are open for everyone to see. I think that it is very disrespectful that you would stereotype like that, too. My goal of this thread is for it to be a positive learning experience. If you learn and share new things, the Nursing profession will get better for all within. For instance, I learned that in Community Nursing, you need to speak on a 5th grade level so that those people can understand you.

:studyowl: FYI - This thread was started in response to the Long-Standing "You know you're an Old(er) nurse if...). peace

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I can see why you would want to skip the day-to-day of the med/surg nursing, but I think it does a lot for reinforcing the teaching you went through in school.

Yes, it's hard, back-breaking work, but you do learn organizational skills and get to apply the knowledge you received from your instructors. The clinicals you go through in school can never fully prepare you for what goes on in the real world. For example, (and this is a reverse example, but I hope it helps with my point) I work in the cardiac cath lab/interventional radiology area. Now for the most part we deal with older folks with heart disease and peripheral vascular disease. But, every now and then we get in a young mom-to-be with OB issues. I did the OB rotational in school, but it didn't prepare me for dealing with some of these issues. And we only have these patients for a short time. It would be nice to be more proficient in that area.

Plus, our population is aging and even in the specialty areas you are going to encounter problems in addition to what you specialize in. Look at OB...moms now a days are presenting with co-morbidities that have nothing to do with OB. Say you work there and your patient all of a sudden goes into DKA. Would you know off the top of your head what to do for her?

It's not about making the newer nurses "pay their dues". It's about making you into a nurse who has a well-rounded knowledge of healthcare.

tvccrn

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in er/icu/neuro/trauma/pacu.

....when your .ICU preceptor needs to explain rectal tubes/butt bags.

...when you start TPN and use whichever central line port you happen to grab.

...when your pts urine output drops and you call the doc..only to find out the catheter is kinked/blocked.

...when you confidently make statements like the original poster!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The "Older Nurse " thread is a hoot and I think this one can be just as funny if we stay away from any fighing.

....When your Amazon wishlist includes the Saunders NCLEX review book, and about 40 other nursing books!

.... When you screamed with glee when Santa brought you a PDA with E-pocrates!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

.... When you decide between Dickie Flare scrubs or Dickie Cargo scrubs...

... When you roll your eyes when the belly ring of a classmate/ new nurse mate shows when he/she is doing ADLs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

....When you have to take out a private loan to pay for the HESI exam because you know The HESI folks will loose the scores of your entire class

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

... when all you ask for Christmas is a pair of bandage sissors and a name tag for your brand new stethescope.

.... when you get your new stethescope and a portable BP cuff and want to take everyone's blood pressure Christmas morning.

True, really happened im not kidding. I cant wait for her enthusiasm to join me at work!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.
...when you start TPN and use whichever central line port you happen to grab.

when you have to ask why it matters...no really, i didn't realize it mattered. not the red one, right?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
....When you have to take out a private loan to pay for the HESI exam because you know The HESI folks will loose the scores of your entire class
:yeahthat:
Up Vote Up Vote ×

....when you search E-bay or your great gradmother, grandaunt's or grand cousins attic for her nursing cap 'cause you want to wear it to class to show your classmates! Its nostalgic!

....when you have to decide which funky Ultrascope to buy! Of course it HAS to match your Dickie scrubs!

UltraScope Stethoscopes

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment