I give in, I'm a COB

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 13, 2015

Glorifying the perpetuation of horizontal violence and sadistic tendencies. Classy. What's that thing called, again? Oh yeah, Karma. Won't be so funny when the new grad you were mean to a few years prior, goes back to school to escape the COB and becomes your Manager. I love when that happens NIGHT SHIFTS & HOLIDAYS FOR ALL COB MEMBERS!! (Insert evil laugh)

I sincerely hope you're being sarcastic, but I'm afraid that you're not.

Farawyn · Jul 13, 2015

That made me think of Harry Potter.
Expecto COBus!

This IS GeekMeet.com! *enchanted hand clapping*

OCNRN63, RN · Jul 13, 2015

I'm not a COB. I will never be a COB. I dislike cliques of any kind (and I simultaneously shudder and roll my eyes at the idea that there are "cool kids" here). Seeing all the obsequiousness being displayed in this thread is obnoxious.
No matter how many years I will be a nurse, I will never be crusty and grouchy to new nurses.
I am impatient with ineptitude and stupidity, but that's irrespective of my career choice or number of years therein.

Again...the term was given to several of us by someone who hasn't even been here in a long, long time. It's not a group of nurses who delight in torturing new nurses and ripping the wings off flies. Like I said before, it was a way of poking fun, not just at the insult, but at ourselves as well.

I think you're taking this far too seriously. If you find this so offensive, or think that you're above such joking, then why not just scroll past this thread and read something else. Allow those who want to de-stress with some goodnatured kidding to have their fun.

I hope I never reach a point in my life that I lose my sense of humor.

Farawyn · Jul 13, 2015

I'm not a COB. I will never be a COB. I dislike cliques of any kind (and I simultaneously shudder and roll my eyes at the idea that there are "cool kids" here). Seeing all the obsequiousness being displayed in this thread is obnoxious.
No matter how many years I will be a nurse, I will never be crusty and grouchy to new nurses.
I am impatient with ineptitude and stupidity, but that's irrespective of my career choice or number of years therein.

As far as I'm concerned this is a fun thread.

I was in CPR recert today with 2 nursing students who were the sweetest young ladies (or so I imagine, but I had just had breakfast) We were talking about nursing jobs being difficult to get for new grads, and I was talking to them about making connections, etc. One of them is a friend of a coworker, and took my number.

As for cool, I have to wear sunglasses that say COOL in the hopes people think I am, so...yea.

noelly10 · Jul 13, 2015

Again...the term was given to several of us by someone who hasn't even been here in a long, long time. It's not a group of nurses who delight in torturing new nurses and ripping the wings off flies. Like I said before, it was a way of poking fun, not just at the insult, but at ourselves as well.
I think you're taking this far too seriously. If you find this so offensive, of think that you're above such joking, then why not just scroll past this thread and read something else. Allow those who want to de-stress with some goodnatured kidding to have their fun.
I hope I never reach a point in my life that I lose my sense of humor.

Matter of fact, I never thought anyone was being serious. I was laughing at the whole thing. It's helped my boring day be slightly less boring to see the things everyone had to say. Any time people are joking around for a laugh, I'm in.

adventure_rn, MSN, NP · Jul 13, 2015

Thank you so much for your post. I'm not surprised that there's documentation for something I and other "vintage" nurses have seen.
I attribute it to times having changed. Back when I was a student and new grad, new nurses looked up to senior nurses. I remember one nurse at my clinical site who was in her late 60s. I was awed and a bit envious of her knowledge and skills.
These days, older nurses are considered a "problem" if they can't run as fast as the younger nurses. Instead of being admired for their experience, seasoned nurses are accused of being out of touch with nursing practice.
I've been bullied by younger nurses. Management turned a blind eye to it. Fortunately, I got a better job and was able to get out of that situation.

That sucks! I'm so sorry you've had that experience.

I feel really conflicted about the nationwide BSN push for that reason. I've known so many amazing ADNs with 20-30 years of experience who are being told by their hospitals, "Go back to get your BSN at age 60, or get out of dodge." I understand that there's evidence to support BSN-prepared nurses and improved patient outcomes, but c'mon, seriously??? Of course an RN with 20 years experience and any degree (or diploma!) will provide better care than a freshly-minted BSN with zero experience. It seems like an institutional slap in the face to experienced nurses.

I'm a fledgling bat in my 20s, and I'm so grateful to all of the COBs out there willing to share their wisdom with us RN babies. Can you imagine new nurses trying to learn everything they know from one another? It would be a hot mess!

Sorry to get all gooey on ya there for a second! Back to the crust.

noelly10 · Jul 13, 2015

That sucks! I'm so sorry you've had that experience.
I feel really conflicted about the nationwide BSN push for that reason. I've known so many amazing ADNs with 20-30 years of experience who are being told by their hospitals, "Go back to get your BSN at age 60, or get out of dodge." I understand that there's evidence to support BSN-prepared nurses and improved patient outcomes, but c'mon, seriously??? Of course an RN with 20 years experience and any degree (or diploma!) will provide better care than a freshly-minted BSN with zero experience. It seems like an institutional slap in the face to experienced nurses.
I'm a fledgling bat in my 20s, and I'm so grateful to all of the COBs out there willing to share their wisdom with us RN babies. Can you imagine new nurses trying to learn everything they know from one another? It would be a hot mess!
Sorry to get all gooey on ya there for a second! Back to the crust.

Agreed, 100% on everything. It's okay to be a little gooey. After all, the best cookies are crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside, right?

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 13, 2015

Again...the term was given to several of us by someone who hasn't even been here in a long, long time.

I know what it means. I've been a member here for over 12 years, so yeah, I was here when it first came to pass.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 13, 2015

I think you're taking this far too seriously. If you find this so offensive, of think that you're above such joking, then why not just scroll past this thread and read something else. Allow those who want to de-stress with some goodnatured kidding to have their fun.

You're right. I'm going to bow out of this thread now.

elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 13, 2015

I for the most part, resign myself to pretty much speaking when im asked a question. But there are times when i feel that if something is a bit too elementary, i have to throw in a "ah i see, just like we learned " to kinda move things along.

Im a freak when it comes to time management and efficiency. Im always trying to think of ways to squeeze the most out of my minutes and I feel like im doing us both a favor if I save you from explaining to me that the left shoe goes on the left foot haha.

Please dont tar and feather me.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2015

Glorifying the perpetuation of horizontal violence and sadistic tendencies. Classy. What's that thing called, again? Oh yeah, Karma. Won't be so funny when the new grad you were mean to a few years prior, goes back to school to escape the COB and becomes your Manager. I love when that happens NIGHT SHIFTS & HOLIDAYS FOR ALL COB MEMBERS!! (Insert evil laugh)

As a Charter Member of the COB Society, I take exception to your sweeping generalizations.

I have never been mean to a new grad in my 36 years of Nursing. I worked Med Surg for many years (yes, I am one of those "bedside nurses" and proud of it), and saw many students come and go.

I never minded when I had a couple of students, especially since I love to teach and most of them were eager to learn. There was some self preservation on my part, I must admit. I figured I was helping to train the generation of nurses who would be taking care of ME when I was 112!

Horizontal violence and sadistic tendencies?? Who are you to label a group of people who have been having fun poking fun at OURSELVES?? If you had read the whole post, you might have noticed that EVERYONE in the room was laughing and having a good time, no matter their age or years of experience.

All I can say is, you must be loads of fun at parties. Seriously, though, I feel sorry for you. How do you make it through your day without any vestige of a sense of humor?? That's sad.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 13, 2015

All I can say is, you must be loads of fun at parties. Seriously, though, I feel sorry for you. How do you make it through your day without any vestige of a sense of humor?? That's sad.

As someone who was also accused of having no sense of humor because this thread struck a chord with me, I think that's really unfair. I don't know "DrKim" from Adam, but I can say for myself, I have a fabulous sense of humor. But every one of us has hot button issues where the sense of humor goes out the window.

Maybe we all need to cut each other a little slack.