Generational Gap in nursing?

Nurses General Nursing

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I was in report the other day, we do a conference type group report in our 2 nurse ICU, and we got to talking. One of the nurses was bemoaning having to float to med-surg, where the nursing staff is less mature. They got to speculating and one of them surprised me by saying that she thought this younger generation had a different attitude and work ethic than those of our generation (we are in our 40's and 50's)

For one thing, it made me feel a little old to hear that.:uhoh3: And I was surprised to hear it from such a hip looking nurse! Anyways, I wonder if some of this friction that I hear on this board between new nurses, who feel as if they are being badly is in part a generational phenomina?

I never considered my generation exactly the model of propriety truthfully. But, how much of this "nurses eating their young" mantra really is related to the generation gap?

ha! Best concert I ever saw was the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, & Boz Skaggs -- all at an outdoor arena, tickets for the show were $12!!! Ahh...those were the days!! :lol2:

"Day on the Green" in San Francisco . . . . :balloons:

steph

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"Day on the Green" in San Francisco . . . . :balloons:

steph

Saw a free Grateful Dead concert at Goldengate park once.:balloons:

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Saw a free Grateful Dead concert at Goldengate park once.:balloons:
I almost saw Sly and the Family Stone once, but Sly was too stoned.:uhoh21:
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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I can't get my mind wrapped around the fact that I'm a Boomer and getting old. Maybe I need to have another baby. ;);)

steph

Yeah, steph---I don't know about you, but I probably have about three eggs left, and they're as old as the rest of me!!:lol2:

I have to admit, I've been pleasantly surprised by the changes wrought in my life by the aging process. I HATED turning 30, and I wasn't fond of 40; but now that I'm approaching 50, I don't mind getting older. I haven't minded it ever since my first grandchild was born. Maybe that's because I see grandmotherhood as having liberated me in a sense; it's like I woke up one morning and realized that it's perfectly fine to be who I am at this age instead of trying to look and act 25 forever.

Call me crazy, but I like being 48. Most of my staff members are young enough to be my children, and I'm honored that they see me as having wisdom and find my advice worth listening to. I love not feeling obligated to try to live up to the media's ideal of youthfulness and beauty. And I really get a kick out of being able to say what I think without worrying about what everyone else thinks.........and even better yet, knowing when it's wisest just to shut up.;)

I do think there is a difference in the generations as far as how they view work, but that doesn't mean that young people are lazy or lack a work ethic. In fact, my experience with younger healthcare workers has been that they are generally less likely than we are to put up with dysfunctional management and poor working conditions, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. I admire the "kids" in their 20s and 30s who are smart enough to recognize a bad situation and take advantage of the options that are available to them, rather than stay in it and become bitter. :idea:

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