I give in, I'm a COB

[Emergent]

Ok, I've had it. I'm tired of whippersnapper nurses, smart alecky new grads who think that their gold plated degrees trump experience.

I'm hungry for young flesh.

I'm officially a Crusty Old Bat, to put it nicely.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

psu_213 said:

Men can be bats too...just ask Adam West. Although Michael Keaton was crustier in that role...

I guess my signature would be "I'm Crusty Old Bat-man"

[Farawyn]

I am NOT a COB. Just cause BrandonLPN said it doesn't make it TRUTH.

[TriciaJ, RN]

jojo489 said:

I don't have the years in yet to say I'm a COB, but I have had several orientees that were like that. To top it all off, an LTC I worked at started hiring a bunch of RNs because they planned to transition the one unit into being completely staffed by RNs...but no RNs to train them on the floor stuff and give them orientation - so most of the time they were paired with LPNs because that's what was available.

I am an LPN. I have absolutely no problem working with RNs, receiving constructive criticism, being delegated to, and all that whatnot. I aspire to become an RN. BUT - when you are observing me for the day, and I'm showing you the MAR, the cart, the storage areas, and giving you tips about time management, and all I hear is, "OK...yeah, I know. I know. OK." NO, YOU DON'T KNOW. When all the floor experience you've got is clinicals from school and your shiny new license with your shiny new badge, don't tell me you know because you simply don't. And if you think you do, you're only fooling yourself and probably hurting your patients because inevitably you'll do something wrong. This particular RN, on that day, was trying to tell me how to do a procedure that I've done 100 times...didn't realize their way broke the sterility of the gloves...and ended up saying something about how I'm just an LPN and they know what they're doing because they had so much more schooling than I did.

Sorry that turned into a rant. I just remember walking into my first day of work wide eyed and feeling completely overwhelmed.....and so terrified of screwing up. I drove everyone nuts with questions. I just can't understand how these new grads of any sort (besides the LPN-RNs or persons who've practiced before) can walk in so confident and act like they know it all.

You know the day is coming that takes the swagger out of their step. The only question: will it be something fairly minor that's just fun to watch? Or will it be something tragic for everyone involved? Either way, matter of time.

[n.igmatic1]

I may have only 6 months experience working on the floor, but I already feel a little crisp around the edges. This is a second career for me, and I was raised by a nurse and a toxicologist, so an impatience with idiocy,a strong stomach and gallows humor is imbedded my DNA . I one day plan to have quite the crunchy coating, and inspire awe and trembling wherever my crusty old wings allow me to descend.

[noelly10]

n.igmatic1 said:

I may have only 6 months experience working on the floor, but I already feel a little crisp around the edges. This is a second career for me, and I was raised by a nurse and a toxicologist, so an impatience with idiocy,a strong stomach and gallows humor is imbedded my DNA . I one day plan to have quite the crunchy coating, and inspire awe and trembling wherever my crusty old wings allow me to descend.

This is beautiful.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

We have a brand new shiny EN (LPN) who seems to think its her job to stand over the CNAs and micromanage. She has no clue about the despite the more experienced nurses giving her ongoing feedback

[n.igmatic1]

Though I am admittedly a new nurse, I have nothing but respect for the nurses and techs who have been doing their jobs much longer than I have. I actively seek their suggestions and advice. The arrogance of youth has been scrubbed from me and replaced with humility.

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

n.igmatic1 said:

Though I am admittedly a new nurse, I have nothing but respect for the nurses and techs who have been doing their jobs much longer than I have. I actively seek their suggestions and advice. The arrogance of youth has been scrubbed from me and replaced with humility.

You have learned well, Grasshopper.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

What is the years of experience where one can be considered a COB? I'm probably closing in on it if not already there and may need to change my signature… crunch crunch!

[noelly10]

Rose_Queen said:

What is the years of experience where one can be considered a COB? I'm probably closing in on it if not already there and may need to change my signature… crunch crunch!

LOL that's what I'm wondering too. I feel I don't have the years of experience per say...but I definitely feel like a cookie that has spent too much time in the oven.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Rose_Queen said:

What is the years of experience where one can be considered a COB? I'm probably closing in on it if not already there and may need to change my signature… crunch crunch!

I don't know that there's a specific number, but certainly a whole lot more than one or two. IMO, anyone who has more than 20 years...no brainer.

I think if you have at least ten years of exp., you are well on your way to being a COB. If you've been a nurse more than half your life, then you are in an elite group of COBs. >()

[noelly10]

OCNRN63 said:

I don't know that there's a specific number, but certainly a whole lot more than one or two. IMO, anyone who has more than 20 years...no brainer.

I think if you have at least ten years of exp., you are well on your way to being a COB. If you've been a nurse more than half your life, then you are in an elite group of COBs. >()

Dang it! I've still got some time. Is there an amateur group?