I give in, I'm a COB

staeces · Jul 22, 2015

I graduated from a BSN program 4 years ago, mid-life:second-degree. I was 54 years old, not a cute young person.

I was never arrogant about any of my education, but I can assure you that "COBs" made me HATE nursing, both in the academic sphere and in clinicals.

Have you COBs ever thought that maybe you put new nurses & students, no matter their age, in terribly uncomfortable positions, such that their "cockiness" may be just a defensive mode, because they are not all socialized yet to be nurses, and have no other mode to fall back on?

If new or student nurses admit ignorance or a lack of knowledge, then COBs REALLY jump to that--with much derision.

I honestly think if you are a COB, you should consider leaving the field. The profession of nursing has been held back so terribly, almost to the point of no return, because of nonprofessional behavior in the ranks. In a word: cattiness, an all too familiar word generally ascribed to women.

Ours is the only profession, I think, where such behavior exists. New engineers, new salespeople, new teachers, new dental techs, new MDs, etc., all have a learning curve, for sure. But only nursing has that cruel emotional bent which destroys the spirit.

Thankfully, a lovely mid-fifties non-COB nursing school instructor, with 30+ yrs experience, "rescued" me from leaving nursing for good. Instead, she took the time to nurture me and invited me to volunteer w her at our university in a program she headed, and encouraged me--at my core--my last 10 months.

I love being a nurse. I thank God every time I remember her. And I will never become a COB. Anybody who wants to become a nurse is respected by me, and I will give them due honor.

Respectfully submitted,

staeces

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Jul 22, 2015

I've been a RN 15 years now. On my way to COB status. In my civilian life, everyone thinks I'm a just crusty!

kmsussman · Jul 22, 2015

Sounds so familiar, today I'm sadly finding this attitude is the " new normal".

allnurses Guide · Jul 22, 2015

I graduated from a BSN program 4 years ago, mid-life:second-degree. I was 54 years old, not a cute young person.
I was never arrogant about any of my education, but I can assure you that "COBs" made me HATE nursing, both in the academic sphere and in clinicals.
Have you COBs ever thought that maybe you put new nurses & students, no matter their age, in terribly uncomfortable positions, such that their "cockiness" may be just a defensive mode, because they are not all socialized yet to be nurses, and have no other mode to fall back on?
If new or student nurses admit ignorance or a lack of knowledge, then COBs REALLY jump to that--with much derision.
I honestly think if you are a COB, you should consider leaving the field. The profession of nursing has been held back so terribly, almost to the point of no return, because of nonprofessional behavior in the ranks. In a word: cattiness, an all too familiar word generally ascribed to women.
Ours is the only profession, I think, where such behavior exists. New engineers, new salespeople, new teachers, new dental techs, new MDs, etc., all have a learning curve, for sure. But only nursing has that cruel emotional bent which destroys the spirit.
Thankfully, a lovely mid-fifties non-COB nursing school instructor, with 30+ yrs experience, "rescued" me from leaving nursing for good. Instead, she took the time to nurture me and invited me to volunteer w her at our university in a program she headed, and encouraged me--at my core--my last 10 months.
I love being a nurse. I thank God every time I remember her. And I will never become a COB. Anybody who wants to become a nurse is respected by me, and I will give them due honor.
Respectfully submitted,
staeces

I'm so sorry you didn't feel the need to read through this thread and understand what a Crusty Old Bat really is before you wrote your scorched earth letter.

noelly10 · Jul 22, 2015

I graduated from a BSN program 4 years ago, mid-life:second-degree. I was 54 years old, not a cute young person.
I was never arrogant about any of my education, but I can assure you that "COBs" made me HATE nursing, both in the academic sphere and in clinicals.
Have you COBs ever thought that maybe you put new nurses & students, no matter their age, in terribly uncomfortable positions, such that their "cockiness" may be just a defensive mode, because they are not all socialized yet to be nurses, and have no other mode to fall back on?
If new or student nurses admit ignorance or a lack of knowledge, then COBs REALLY jump to that--with much derision.
I honestly think if you are a COB, you should consider leaving the field. The profession of nursing has been held back so terribly, almost to the point of no return, because of nonprofessional behavior in the ranks. In a word: cattiness, an all too familiar word generally ascribed to women.
Ours is the only profession, I think, where such behavior exists. New engineers, new salespeople, new teachers, new dental techs, new MDs, etc., all have a learning curve, for sure. But only nursing has that cruel emotional bent which destroys the spirit.
Thankfully, a lovely mid-fifties non-COB nursing school instructor, with 30+ yrs experience, "rescued" me from leaving nursing for good. Instead, she took the time to nurture me and invited me to volunteer w her at our university in a program she headed, and encouraged me--at my core--my last 10 months.
I love being a nurse. I thank God every time I remember her. And I will never become a COB. Anybody who wants to become a nurse is respected by me, and I will give them due honor.
Respectfully submitted,
staeces

Aww. You were a perfect snowflake weren't you?

Julie Reyes, DNP, RN · Jul 22, 2015

I graduated from a BSN program 4 years ago, mid-life:second-degree. I was 54 years old, not a cute young person.
I was never arrogant about any of my education, but I can assure you that "COBs" made me HATE nursing, both in the academic sphere and in clinicals.
Have you COBs ever thought that maybe you put new nurses & students, no matter their age, in terribly uncomfortable positions, such that their "cockiness" may be just a defensive mode, because they are not all socialized yet to be nurses, and have no other mode to fall back on?
If new or student nurses admit ignorance or a lack of knowledge, then COBs REALLY jump to that--with much derision.
I honestly think if you are a COB, you should consider leaving the field. The profession of nursing has been held back so terribly, almost to the point of no return, because of nonprofessional behavior in the ranks. In a word: cattiness, an all too familiar word generally ascribed to women.
Ours is the only profession, I think, where such behavior exists. New engineers, new salespeople, new teachers, new dental techs, new MDs, etc., all have a learning curve, for sure. But only nursing has that cruel emotional bent which destroys the spirit.
Thankfully, a lovely mid-fifties non-COB nursing school instructor, with 30+ yrs experience, "rescued" me from leaving nursing for good. Instead, she took the time to nurture me and invited me to volunteer w her at our university in a program she headed, and encouraged me--at my core--my last 10 months.
I love being a nurse. I thank God every time I remember her. And I will never become a COB. Anybody who wants to become a nurse is respected by me, and I will give them due honor.
Respectfully submitted,
staeces

Hi there staeces,

There are nurses who have been in nursing so long that they should have left a long time ago because they have lost their vision for helping and caring for their patients. To them, patients are a pain in the butt, and something to be put up with until they get to go home.

However, the COB is NOT that type of nurse.

The COB is:

the one who cares and will save the butt of the nurse who works along side them;

the one who wants to teach and educate the new young nurses (or just new nurse);

the one who will be your mentor;

the one who will stand up for you when everyone else wants to throw you under the bus;

the one who will not let you get away with short cuts because that is not safe patient care - but will challenge the new nurse to use his/her brain and those critical thinking skills that were drilled in them during nursing school;

the one who will understand when you are having a hard time with a dying patient and will step in to give you a break;

the one who has experience and wants to share the knowledge with the new nurse so they don't make the same mistakes.

There is a vast difference between a burnout and a COB.

No one would brag about being a burnout. No one likes those nurses. They are the ones who are the bullies and who give the face of nursing a bad name.

A COB...now there is someone I want to take care of my family members, and to teach my students the ropes.

That is someone worthy of respect.

To be a COB. That is a worthy goal.

OCNRN63, RN · Jul 22, 2015

I graduated from a BSN program 4 years ago, mid-life:second-degree. I was 54 years old, not a cute young person.
I was never arrogant about any of my education, but I can assure you that "COBs" made me HATE nursing, both in the academic sphere and in clinicals.
Have you COBs ever thought that maybe you put new nurses & students, no matter their age, in terribly uncomfortable positions, such that their "cockiness" may be just a defensive mode, because they are not all socialized yet to be nurses, and have no other mode to fall back on?
If new or student nurses admit ignorance or a lack of knowledge, then COBs REALLY jump to that--with much derision.
I honestly think if you are a COB, you should consider leaving the field. The profession of nursing has been held back so terribly, almost to the point of no return, because of nonprofessional behavior in the ranks. In a word: cattiness, an all too familiar word generally ascribed to women.
Ours is the only profession, I think, where such behavior exists. New engineers, new salespeople, new teachers, new dental techs, new MDs, etc., all have a learning curve, for sure. But only nursing has that cruel emotional bent which destroys the spirit.
Thankfully, a lovely mid-fifties non-COB nursing school instructor, with 30+ yrs experience, "rescued" me from leaving nursing for good. Instead, she took the time to nurture me and invited me to volunteer w her at our university in a program she headed, and encouraged me--at my core--my last 10 months.
I love being a nurse. I thank God every time I remember her. And I will never become a COB. Anybody who wants to become a nurse is respected by me, and I will give them due honor.
Respectfully submitted,
staeces

At the risk of repeating myself yet again, "COB" was an insult thrown at several members here. It has turned into a running joke. It has nothing to do with tormenting anyone.

Since you have only posted 8 times since 2006, you wouldn't know that many of the COBs here are people who go out of their way to help new nurses. People like GrnTea, RubyVee, and many others have given of themselves to provide guidance and counsel.

I'm sorry if you had a bad experience as a student/new nurse. That doesn't give you the right, however, to attack people here who you haven't gotten to know.

OCNRN63, RN · Jul 22, 2015

Hi there staeces,
There are nurses who have been in nursing so long that they should have left a long time ago because they have lost their vision for helping and caring for their patients. To them, patients are a pain in the butt, and something to be put up with until they get to go home.
However, the COB is NOT that type of nurse.
The COB is:
the one who cares and will save the butt of the nurse who works along side them;
the one who wants to teach and educate the new young nurses (or just new nurse);
the one who will be your mentor;
the one who will stand up for you when everyone else wants to throw you under the bus;
the one who will not let you get away with short cuts because that is not safe patient care - but will challenge the new nurse to use his/her brain and those critical thinking skills that were drilled in them during nursing school;
the one who will understand when you are having a hard time with a dying patient and will step in to give you a break;
the one who has experience and wants to share the knowledge with the new nurse so they don't make the same mistakes.
There is a vast difference between a burnout and a COB.
No one would brag about being a burnout. No one likes those nurses. They are the ones who are the bullies and who give the face of nursing a bad name.
A COB...now there is someone I want to take care of my family members, and to teach my students the ropes.
That is someone worthy of respect.
To be a COB. That is a worthy goal.

Thank you!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 22, 2015

I graduated from a BSN program 4 years ago, mid-life:second-degree. I was 54 years old, not a cute young person.
I was never arrogant about any of my education, but I can assure you that "COBs" made me HATE nursing, both in the academic sphere and in clinicals.
Have you COBs ever thought that maybe you put new nurses & students, no matter their age, in terribly uncomfortable positions, such that their "cockiness" may be just a defensive mode, because they are not all socialized yet to be nurses, and have no other mode to fall back on?
If new or student nurses admit ignorance or a lack of knowledge, then COBs REALLY jump to that--with much derision.
I honestly think if you are a COB, you should consider leaving the field. The profession of nursing has been held back so terribly, almost to the point of no return, because of nonprofessional behavior in the ranks. In a word: cattiness, an all too familiar word generally ascribed to women.
Ours is the only profession, I think, where such behavior exists. New engineers, new salespeople, new teachers, new dental techs, new MDs, etc., all have a learning curve, for sure. But only nursing has that cruel emotional bent which destroys the spirit.
Thankfully, a lovely mid-fifties non-COB nursing school instructor, with 30+ yrs experience, "rescued" me from leaving nursing for good. Instead, she took the time to nurture me and invited me to volunteer w her at our university in a program she headed, and encouraged me--at my core--my last 10 months.
I love being a nurse. I thank God every time I remember her. And I will never become a COB. Anybody who wants to become a nurse is respected by me, and I will give them due honor.
Respectfully submitted,
staeces

The fact that your post ended with "Respectfully submitted" does not make it a respectful post.

If YOU are having this many problems with your colleagues, it is reasonable to assess YOUR behavior to see what makes it problematic for so many.

As in most professions, the newbies are expected to adapt to the existing culture, not the other way around. Despite your "COB worthy" age, you don't seem to understand about fitting in to the existing culture and becoming a team member. Perhaps now that you're done giving all of us crusty old bats a piece of your mind, you'll stop and think about what you're bringing to the table. Only YOU can "destroy your spirit." Stop blaming everyone around you.

WellThatsOod · Jul 23, 2015

Such seriousness.

Farawyn · Jul 23, 2015

Such seriousness.

LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2015

I graduated from a BSN program 4 years ago, mid-life:second-degree. I was 54 years old, not a cute young person.
I was never arrogant about any of my education, but I can assure you that "COBs" made me HATE nursing, both in the academic sphere and in clinicals.
Have you COBs ever thought that maybe you put new nurses & students, no matter their age, in terribly uncomfortable positions, such that their "cockiness" may be just a defensive mode, because they are not all socialized yet to be nurses, and have no other mode to fall back on?
If new or student nurses admit ignorance or a lack of knowledge, then COBs REALLY jump to that--with much derision.
I honestly think if you are a COB, you should consider leaving the field. The profession of nursing has been held back so terribly, almost to the point of no return, because of nonprofessional behavior in the ranks. In a word: cattiness, an all too familiar word generally ascribed to women.
Ours is the only profession, I think, where such behavior exists. New engineers, new salespeople, new teachers, new dental techs, new MDs, etc., all have a learning curve, for sure. But only nursing has that cruel emotional bent which destroys the spirit.
Thankfully, a lovely mid-fifties non-COB nursing school instructor, with 30+ yrs experience, "rescued" me from leaving nursing for good. Instead, she took the time to nurture me and invited me to volunteer w her at our university in a program she headed, and encouraged me--at my core--my last 10 months.
I love being a nurse. I thank God every time I remember her. And I will never become a COB. Anybody who wants to become a nurse is respected by me, and I will give them due honor.
Respectfully submitted,
staeces

Well, that was very somber, and incredibly self righteous.

You and I are the same age, but I have 32 years experience on you. Yeah, I'm a COB simply because of the years I put in.

I LOVED having students and precepting new grads when I was a floor nurse, I always remembered how it felt to be that squeaky new, and I never snacked on ANY of them.

The thing is, you may not be an active nurse long enough to claim COB status. Quite frankly, I've seen as much rotten behavior from younger/newer nurses over the last few years.

This thread started out light hearted and self-deprecating. I suggest you reread from the beginning, pull that stick out of your butt, and try and understand that when we call ourselves COBs, we aren't mean, bitter or arrogant.

Also, statements like "You really should consider leaving the field" are pretty much guaranteed to rile up a lot of people here. There are plenty of us who have been doing this for awhile who like what we do, even if we do sometimes kvetch and moan about Special Snowflakes and "interesting" patients. Sometimes you need to sit back and see who's posting what, maybe take a look at other threads they've posted in, before you jump in and condemn us out of hand.

W