New grad know it all

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 2, 2011

Absolutely but it is a bit easier to take from a nurse who has years of first hand experience, imo.
Jenni811, it was a conversation I over heard this morning and later discussed with the preceptor so really my post was kind of a vent and also hopefully a gentle reminder that new grads are there to learn and keeping an open mind might be valuable for both learning and developing a good relationship with your peers.

Agreed.

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · May 2, 2011

I have a shirt that reads, "Those that think they know everything annoy those of us that do.":p That being said everyone for the most part has something to offer and knows something that oneself does not know.

Jenni811, RN · May 2, 2011

I have to wonder if this is a generation X / Y difference.

I think that is a large part of it.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 2, 2011

I have to wonder if this is a generation X / Y difference.

I think so....As a supervisor.........I think it is a combination of of things between the experienced and inexperienced. One I think is the philosophy that "without a BSN" your practice is "lessor" than those that have a BSN. Not all of us "older" nurses have the higher degrees (at the bedside) and some still have diplomas.......that are viewed as being "lessor" hence.....how could they learn from "her":cool:...

And Two.......I think the loss of the essential core family models Aunts, Uncles, and Granparents participating in the upbringing of the children......a different, or lack, of respect of the "elders" has become more prevalent. So unless you are in the position of power ie: the boss......the younger new nurses look down their noses and don't feel respectful of the senior/experienced nurses.

There are exceptions.....but very few.......

canberrymuffin (quote) experience

And just as much, sometimes more experienced nurses need to be reminded that there are ways of correcting behavior/providing feedback that are more appropriate than others.

It goes both ways.

ScottE (quote) enough...

I have a shirt that reads, "Those that think they know everything annoy those of us that do.":p That being said everyone for the most part has something to offer and knows something that oneself does not know.

mindlor · May 2, 2011

I promise you this, when I am a new grad and get my first job, I will be respectful and infinitely grateful for any tidbits that my seniors choose to pass down to me.

There is ABSOLUTELY NO substitute for experience.

Humility is a virtue.

greenfiremajick · May 2, 2011

Most new grads are great and have the insight to ask thoughtful questions rather than debating their preceptor. Please consider keeping an open mind when someone with experience shares their knowledge. Maybe there is a slight chance that you don't know better just yet?

I am going to try like hell to do as you describe/request, when I begin working with a preceptor.....How exactly would you describe the process of "asking thoughtful questions" as opposed to "debating?" (I mean as in a hypothetical, real world example).... I ask because I have been accused of acting like a "knowitall" when trying to get a conversation going about a subject. I've gotten better, but I'm afraid that at times, I still sound as if I'm challenging someone, as opposed to discussing something....

Jules A, MSN · May 2, 2011

I promise you this, when I am a new grad and get my first job, I will be respectful and infinitely grateful for any tidbits that my seniors choose to pass down to me.
There is ABSOLUTELY NO substitute for experience.
Humility is a virtue.

Very cool and for new grads like you any tidbits I have are yours. :)

Jules A, MSN · May 2, 2011

I am going to try like hell to do as you describe/request, when I begin working with a preceptor.....How exactly would you describe the process of "asking thoughtful questions" as opposed to "debating?" (I mean as in a hypothetical, real world example).... I ask because I have been accused of acting like a "knowitall" when trying to get a conversation going about a subject. I've gotten better, but I'm afraid that at times, I still sound as if I'm challenging someone, as opposed to discussing something....

Ya know it can be a sticky situation and I think sometimes the approach needs to vary depending on the person's personality and position. I'm also very interested in things especially why a certain medication was prescribed instead of another one for example but if it isn't a physician or NP that I know well I usually tread very carefully. Perhaps the best advice I could give a new grad that is interested in fitting in is to be as helpful to your new peers as you can. In the beginning that will mean offering to get supplies, doing personal care things, asking to observe and assist etc. anything that can make life easier on them if you have the time. I know there will be those that insist they don't need to kiss up and ok but that was my strategy and I was fortunate to be the benefit of advice and nuances from many experienced nurses. In the beginning as a new grad you can always say, "since I'm a new grad would you be so kind as to explain the rationale for doing XYZ if you have the time?" In my experience statements that start out like "well in nursing school we were taught that the correct way to do xyz is..." or "nurses on this unit give too many PRNs" won't make friends and influence people. :)

greenfiremajick · May 2, 2011

"well in nursing school we were taught that the correct way to do xyz is..." or "nurses on this unit give too many PRNs" won't make friends and influence people. :)

This is why I asked and why I appreciate you taking the time to answer......In my mind, I might start out a sentence that way, in order to justify why I'm asking...I can see where starting out with "in school, we were supposed to" would sound challenging, or somehow seem to be a way in which the new grad was correcting the nurse....

This is something for me to remember...Justify why I'm asking in a different way, to ensure it doesn't sound as if I'm correcting or challenging the nurse/preceptor....

I know it seems this should prob be a "duh" type of issue, but what can I say??

snugz · May 2, 2011

Everyone starts off at the beginning :)

CompleteUnknown · May 3, 2011

This is why I asked and why I appreciate you taking the time to answer......In my mind, I might start out a sentence that way, in order to justify why I'm asking...I can see where starting out with "in school, we were supposed to" would sound challenging, or somehow seem to be a way in which the new grad was correcting the nurse....
This is something for me to remember...Justify why I'm asking in a different way, to ensure it doesn't sound as if I'm correcting or challenging the nurse/preceptor....
I know it seems this should prob be a "duh" type of issue, but what can I say??

I don't think you really have to justify why you're asking anything..... people will expect you to be asking questions. You could try something like "I've been wondering why you didn't wear gloves when we did x, they told us in school to always wear gloves, does it depend on the situation?" rather than "I can't believe you didn't wear gloves when we did x, gloves should always be worn!". Not really a good example but the best I can come up at the moment, can you see the difference? This also gives the nurse the opportunity to explain why she felt gloves weren't necessary in that instance, and you can (privately!) either take this on board or not, depending on what you think of her reasons.

A lot of it is in the tone of voice, body language and general attitude, and waiting until you both have a few spare minutes rather than jumping on the nurse when they're in the middle of something. Also, try to remember that even if you've been a taught a new or better way of doing something, it doesn't necessarily mean that the 'old' way is 100% dangerous and wrong. Often the new way is just slightly better, or somewhat more safe, and sometimes it's neither, it's a just a different way of accomplishing the same thing.

Jules A, MSN · May 3, 2011

This is why I asked and why I appreciate you taking the time to answer......In my mind, I might start out a sentence that way, in order to justify why I'm asking...I can see where starting out with "in school, we were supposed to" would sound challenging, or somehow seem to be a way in which the new grad was correcting the nurse....
This is something for me to remember...Justify why I'm asking in a different way, to ensure it doesn't sound as if I'm correcting or challenging the nurse/preceptor....
I know it seems this should prob be a "duh" type of issue, but what can I say??

As someone who tends to blurt out whatever passes through my head I appreciate your concern and since you are being thoughtful beforehand I bet it won't be an issue. If you show genuine interest and come across as fairly bright you will be amazed at the generosity of co-workers, physicians etc. I think it is about being gracious for any help someone might offer even if you think it is rubbish. As you become independent it will be your choice to decide how you want to practice but in the beginning when I didn't have any practical experience I found it easiest to just go with the flow on the unit provided it isn't lifethreateningly dangerious. As we all know there are many things that aren't able to be done text book perfect and most times if I kept my mouth shut I later found out that the advice that I wasn't so keen to hear was actually right on in the real world of nursing. :)