How to deal with the old/experienced nurses?!

mofomeat · Dec 30, 2012

You could just become an old/experienced nurse like they are.

Then you'd have the same perspective and you'd see it from their end

Anna-s · Dec 30, 2012

You could just become an old/experienced nurse like they are.
Then you'd have the same perspective and you'd see it from their end

They d always be more experienced than I am helpful answer! Tnx

metal_m0nk, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2012

Predicting the arrival of Ruby Vee in T minus 10....9.....8....7.....6.....5.....4......3.....2......

RNewbie · Dec 30, 2012

Kill them with kindness and try not to take it personal. No excuse but I work with older nurses everyday that are just burnt out. Sometimes nothing you do will be good enough.

DeBerham · Dec 30, 2012

Unfortunately some of the old guard (those who believe that eating your young and the only worthwhile lessons are taught through pain) are having a hard time leaving the field. What I'll say is remember this and don't make the same mistakes when you are in their position, and you will be one day. For the time being suck it up, you will get through it and learn what you can. RNewbie is right, kill them with kindness... and keep yourself sane. Don't let them get you down.

chrisrn24 · Dec 30, 2012

I think that some people are just not chatty and friendly at work. Some of my coworkers are that way. Find the ones that are friendly and use them to get connected to the unfriendly ones.

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 30, 2012

It is easier said than done, but give up wanting to be "liked" and work on the more doable polite, professional relationships.

Always be polite and helpful while maintaining assertiveness and self-respect. Over time, if your coworkers are human, you get along better.

Columnist · Dec 30, 2012

Moved to Nurse Colleague / Patient Relations

MaleRN4 · Dec 30, 2012

Just be yourself and do not let them get to you! I work in a PACU and there is only 10 of us that work in there. I am a 32 y/o male and the rest of them are females over 49. They are all burnt out and CRAZY!!! They complain and argue everyday. I'll tell you what I do. I ruffle feathers...I tease and get them all worked up lol. Then I sit back and laugh! I am not going to be miserable just because they are all miserable. I take the negative and use it to my advantage. Works for me anyhow.

rita359 · Dec 30, 2012

You are the newest member of this staff and are young. I don't know how old other members of the staff are but it seems you have come into a unit that has its own culture. If you give it time you will figure out most of that culture. There will be things you agree with and things you do not agree with. You may be able to find one or more older nurses you can safely ask questions of. Use these people. If it is things that are done the way they used to be done but aren't evidence based etc. you can figure out how to address these things without making these nurses feel put down but educated. This is part of learning to work with other people which you will be doing throughout your professional life.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Dec 30, 2012

Tothe OP- it's med-surg. There is no "e" in surgical. I'm 65 and still working. Correcting poor grammer and spelling is about as grouchy as I get. I was so lucky, as a new grad, to go to a floor where all of the nurses who worked there chose to work on a teaching floor and went out of their way to help us orientees learn the ropes. I don't know why so many nurses are so ignorant and ill-tempered. Yeah, I wish my 401K didn't crash but that has nothing to do with you. I wish all hospitals had "orientation floors" where you could feel a part of the team from the getgo before being discharged to work on your ultimate unit. Just remember how you felt when it's your turn to usher in a new grad into the profession.