I give in, I'm a COB

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2015

Posted this once, but it seems to have disappeared, so will try again.

I know I am a COB!

I had a new MD tell me, " I learn so much from you old nurses!" Oy!

For the record, I told her, don't order a glycerine supp, glycerine does nothing. Give me a dulcolax please! To this day, when we have a constipated pt, she order a dulcolax supp!

jojo489 · Jul 14, 2015

Okay, guys. I just got off the phone with my preceptor for tomorrow and she is so crusty she was cracking! I asked her how she liked the job, and she went into a 20 minute rant about this one and that one and how it's the same all over and thank God she's retiring...ending with "What's your name again? See you tomorrow morning. *click*
I'm Jello inside. JELLO.

My med surg instructor was the crustiest old bat I've ever met, and she's still my hero.

We all started the semester terrified of her. She whittled our clinical group down from 9 to 6 (3 quit because her watchfulness caught them screwing off and got them disciplined). She also perpetuated the stereotype of the dragon lady. She was a true hard***.

Until the 6 of us survivors proved ourselves competent and worthy of her wisdom and friendship. The last half of the semester, she was like a different person. She made jokes, we had a great time and we all learned a TON from her.

And she was never demeaning or nasty, she just made you understand the seriousness of some mistakes. She was real with you, and I appreciated that so much.

THAT'S the COB I want to be. :)

Far, maybe yours will be that way too.

AutumnApple · Jul 14, 2015

OMG

IDK if I should admit this or not but, I did go to read this thread because........well....I wanted to figure out what a COB was.

:blink:

Cardiac.............hmmmm.....no

Care Of B............hmmm...........no

Central Organ B..............no

lol

noelly10 · Jul 14, 2015

OMG
IDK if I should admit this or not but, I did go to read this thread because........well....I wanted to figure out what a COB was.
Cardiac.............hmmmm.....no
Care Of B............hmmm...........no
Central Organ B..............no
lol

Hope you were entertained though!

tiredmomof2 · Jul 14, 2015

I am a proud crusty old bat! I have been nursing over half my life. Ha, I had student nurses trembling at I turn around and there is a vital machine with a blood pressure of 74/38. They all just stared at me like deer in headlights as I yelled who's blood pressure is that? Needless to say their instructor got an earful on her students needing refresher on when to notify someone on vitals.

c.strong · Jul 14, 2015

As a Reg nurse, I for one have always had a great respect for all the LVN's who trained me. As well as all the CNA's who did there jobs with such care and graciousness

rntravlon · Jul 14, 2015

COB and proud of it-in fact would like it added after the RN on my name tag. Don't think administration would go for it though.

OCNRN63, RN · Jul 14, 2015

COB and proud of it-in fact would like it added after the RN on my name tag. Don't think administration would go for it though.

Just tell them it's a certification. You know, "Certified Old Bat."

ixchel · Jul 15, 2015

Just tell them it's a certification. You know, "Certified Old Bat."

Complete with certificate and CEUs?

adventure_rn, MSN, NP · Jul 15, 2015

Complete with certificate and CEUs?

I'm sure many ANers could teach professionally on the art and science becoming a COB. Perhaps even publish a book?

dec2007 · Jul 15, 2015

Pretty sure I qualify as a COB, age-wise at least. I have to say that part of my problem is the non-stop orientation process where I work. We hire many new/ young nurses because at our facility the ICU is pretty much the new grad stepping stone to CRNA or CNP school. That means that "oldsters" like me pretty much orient someone during at least 80% of our shifts. Most (I'd say about 70%) of our new hires are VERY bright and capable. They are going to be great CRNAs or CNPs someday. Most don't stay in bedside ICU nursing longer than 18 months before moving on. I'm happy for them! Proud of them! But I'm tired! It's hard not to get disheartened on this orientation treadmill. Yep, all the COBs have talked with management. They know. Maybe there is no way to fix this, but boy am I tired. Add to that the 30% of arrogant and unteachble newbies, and you see why retirement looks better every day! Too bad, because I LOVE taking care of ICU patients, if only that could be my job once again.

OCNRN63, RN · Jul 15, 2015

Pretty sure I qualify as a COB, age-wise at least. I have to say that part of my problem is the non-stop orientation process where I work. We hire many new/ young nurses because at our facility the ICU is pretty much the new grad stepping stone to CRNA or CNP school. That means that "oldsters" like me pretty much orient someone during at least 80% of our shifts. Most (I'd say about 70%) of our new hires are VERY bright and capable. They are going to be great CRNAs or CNPs someday. Most don't stay in bedside ICU nursing longer than 18 months before moving on. I'm happy for them! Proud of them! But I'm tired! It's hard not to get disheartened on this orientation treadmill. Yep, all the COBs have talked with management. They know. Maybe there is no way to fix this, but boy am I tired. Add to that the 30% of arrogant and unteachble newbies, and you see why retirement looks better every day! Too bad, because I LOVE taking care of ICU patients, if only that could be my job once again.

Wow...I wish I could repost this the next time a new nurse gripes about how her preceptor didn't seem enthusiastic about teaching. Or, my favorite one, the one who said her preceptor taught her well and was polite, but didn't engage in social chit-chat with her.

I have no suggestions for you, just sympathy. And yeah...you are definitely a bat! :)