Newbie Nurses and Student Nurses...

jamonit · Jan 30, 2007

thank you for creating this thread. i think it's great to expand upon the positives and the likenesses between us as nurses. i'm so excited to be joining this profession and have nothing but respect for it.

let's use this thread to discuss the common goals and common ground we have as students of nursing, new nurses, and experienced nurses.

i know there is nothing that i look forward to more than beginning my first job on february 12th in the PICU. i am green still, granted, but i feel like this is where i am supposed to be.

what are a few of the things we can teach each other? how can we bridge the nastiness between the categories and 'ranks' within our profession? what is it that someone in nursing has taught you that you will forever feel grateful?

i think these are topics that would be interesting to explore.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 30, 2007

Thank you for saying what you said!!! Those of us who are nursing students appreciate that someone thinks are oppinions or ideas have some worth.

Swtooth

GingerSue · Jan 30, 2007

and I also thank you for this thread

opinions, ideas, questions are valuable

pink2blue1 · Jan 30, 2007

Oh Gosh when I read the title I thought it was going to be another negative post about newbie and student nurses, but I was pleasantly surprised once I read the thread! Thank you SO MUCH!

I am a NEW LVN, just started on the floor New Years Eve. I am one of the lucky ones, See, I worked on this floor for 4 years as a CNA before transitioning to LVN. I see others that do get mistreated, even for asking questions.

If it's ONE THING I learned AFTER school, is that school can only prepare you for so much, it's being ON THE FLOOR where we become REAL nurses! It's scary walking out there for the first time. I have had to deal with things this past month which school did not prepare me for, but I have also been able to handle most things that have come my way, and when I feel like it's something I don't know, I double check with my preceptor. I can't imagine starting a new job having NEVER worked in a hospital and only having the clinical experience I got in nursing school.

Thank you for this post!

StrwbryblndRN · Jan 30, 2007

I also thank you for your post. Last week I was fortunate to meet a nurse with the same values you have. It is wonderful to have met them but just as wonderful to read it here. Many nurses possess this trait but only a few can really live up to it. Unfortunately we lose ourselves in the negativity. I hope I will be able to rise above it and keep in mind what has been stated here.

Thank you again.

smk1, LPN · Jan 30, 2007

Hi from a Nurse who was licensed originally at age 19 1/2 . I started out as a LPN and went back a couple of years later and became a RN. I have worked critical care 25 out of 28 years and had done Med Surg and Tele prior. I have worked as a Charge Nurse, an Assistant Head Nurse and also have done this contracted as local agency and as a traveler. I've also done hemo and peritoneal dialysis. Yes, lots of experience and work in multiple States.
I just read a post that has my teeth gnashing!!! How dare anyone ever put down a student Nurse or a newbie Nurse about views and thoughts. I encourage everyone whether they have more years and experience than I do vs a person who hasn't even entered the Nursing program of your choice to voice whatever is in your heart. You have every right to question, ask and criticize ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING happening in Nursing today. The power playing is so stupid and so nasty. Yet, it doesn't stop! I have always been cautious never to put someone down or to make anyone feel insecure or be cruel towards anyone even though I knew that that person wasn't correct. There are ways to be kind and ways to say things without tearing someone down and making them feel worthless or a moron.
There is a saying that Nurses eat their young and they do. The problem is that there still is some kind of power trip and be aware that you need to know that years ago this was acceptable. Nowadays this is behavior you can report. I just saw a poster's thread that told me oh no, we even have this here on AllNurses? Don't believe that every seasoned Nurse is out to get you. In fact, I would be the first to encourage any thoughts, comments and discussions to be aimed at seasoned Nurses that care. There are meanies in every profession but as for me, I'm looking to help and encourage you to stay in this profession and fall in love with it like I have.
One thing that has worked for me is this...ask questions, period! I'll always answer respectfully.

Thanks for this. I remember voicing my opinion about a debate when i was a fairly new member of this board and had my knucles soundly rapped for being barely a "nursing student to be". It is disheartening. I will say that before I was a nursing student I would never think to comment on nursing practice issues because I had no clue, and now that I am a nursing student I still stay out of discussions that are over my head at this point, but I would hate to have a "class system" on this site where only those who are nurses have opinions and ideas that are valid. thankfully I think those nurses are few and far between here, and most nurses are very helpful and kind to the students.

BmtTXLVN · Jan 30, 2007

IMHO we as nurses will always be students. Learning new things everyday. The day i think i know it all is the day i leave this proffession, for a know it all is seriously dangerous IMHO

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2007

I think it's a good thing to stop and take notice how we behave. I think sometimes that both sides miss the point. Students miss the point with the "wait until your a nurse" and older nurses miss the opportunity for diaglogue with fresh ideas.

I agree, students and anyone have the right to say and criticize exactly when and where they choose, as long as it's done respectfully and within the terms of service.

Anytime an opinion or criticism is expressed however, one must also accept that one might be criticized or have an opposite opinion given in return.

Mutual respect is the key.

It also helps to keep things in perspective. Out of tens and thousands of posts and tens and thousands of members it's not worth gnashing your teeth over a few, or judging an entire message board on what is a relatively small percentage of posts.

Nor is it fair to generalize that nurses eat their young. I completely disagree with this generalization. I've expressed that before in the "nurses eat their young" threads and will not belabor the point.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2007

Thanks for this. I remember voicing my opinion about a debate when i was a fairly new member of this board and had my knucles soundly rapped for being barely a "nursing student to be". It is disheartening. I will say that before I was a nursing student I would never think to comment on nursing practice issues because I had no clue, and now that I am a nursing student I still stay out of discussions that are over my head at this point, but I would hate to have a "class system" on this site where only those who are nurses have opinions and ideas that are valid. thankfully I think those nurses are few and far between here, and most nurses are very helpful and kind to the students.

I don't want a "class system" kind of website here either, and doubt it will happen. However, these kinds of "us vs. them" threads both this one and the other one rarely go well.

I realize that it would be disheartening to get your hand slapped for expressing an opinion. I also appreciate that you agree with me that the those people are few and far between. I'm glad the one who slapped your hand didn't have you running away wondering "why do all nurses eat their young". :)

I see and feel the sting of students judgement's in these forums as well, but don't generalize about "students these days" and allow anyone the right to say things like "nurses these days are so mean to students", "why do all nurses forget they were once students", "why do nurses eat their young". That stings me as a professional nurse, but I move on realizing that most students aren't this negative towards a profession they are killing themselves to enter.

Cattitude · Jan 30, 2007

i think it's a good thing to stop and take notice how we behave. i think sometimes that both sides miss the point. students miss the point with the "wait until your a nurse" and older nurses miss the opportunity for diaglogue with fresh ideas.
i agree, students and anyone have the right to say and criticize exactly when and where they choose, as long as it's done respectfully and within the terms of service.
anytime an opinion or criticism is expressed however, one must also accept that one might be criticized or have an opposite opinion given in return.
mutual respect is the key.
it also helps to keep things in perspective. out of tens and thousands of posts and tens and thousands of members it's not worth gnashing your teeth over a few, or judging an entire message board on what is a relatively small percentage of posts.
nor is it fair to generalize that nurses eat their young. i completely disagree with this generalization. i've expressed that before in the "nurses eat their young" threads and will not belabor the point.

you summed it all up so well . i really feel the majority of posts are fair and encouraging. maybe that's just my glass half full outlook though.

smk1, LPN · Jan 30, 2007

you summed it all up so well . i really feel the majority of posts are fair and encouraging. maybe that's just my glass half full outlook though.

i too think the majority of the board is a positive, fun and educational place...otherwise i wouldn't continue to post here and i certainly wouldn't spend money to support the site. there have been times where i have had to take a break from the site, but overall i think that most of the posters are pretty respectful. there are some that have very strong opinions and express them in ways that border on rude, but that is what the ignore feature is for. i myself have gotten a bit testy with a few at times, so i have to watch myself as well. :chuckle