Do you in nursing land find that old time nurses, those with many years in the career, dont want to learn new things?- like learning to care for a new kind of patient than they are used to, for instance going from LTC to a more acute setting or rotating from a geriatric unit to a unit with younger, more alert residents, which would require learning new skills?
Ive spoken to a few old timers, and they seem only to want to coast until retirement.
They dont seem to feel obligated to stretch themselves, to maintain and update there skills- wouldnt they feel better about themselves as nurses if they did take on new responsibilities?
Is this the normal course of evolution in the career of nurses?
do you in nursing land find that old time nurses, those with many years in the career, dont want to learn new things?- like learning to care for a new kind of patient than they are used to, for instance going from ltc to a more acute setting or rotating from a geriatric unit to a unit with younger, more alert residents, which would require learning new skills?
ive spoken to a few old timers, and they seem only to want to coast until retirement.
they dont seem to feel obligated to stretch themselves, to maintain and update there skills- wouldnt they feel better about themselves as nurses if they did take on new responsibilities?
is this the normal course of evolution in the career of nurses?
hello garciadiego :)
first i'd like to say that i find your usage of the phrase "old dogs" insulting to the many seasoned well-experienced nurses in the world! :stone
just because you may have met a nurse or two that perhaps has left you with the impression that they no longer strive to improve themselves as nurses, therefore panting breathlessly for their retirement day to come doesn't mean you have the right to label all seasoned experienced nurses that way. i do hope brian will find offense to your title, and suggest a more appropriate title for this thread. your questions and thoughts are appreciated...just not in the condescending manner in which you have chosen to voice them.
Can't leave this one, altho I certainly should. I truely do not believe I was flaming the OP, or anyone else for that matter. I'm trying to point out a different perspective. I don't believe I've ever chomped on a new nurse (at least not in the last 25 years), med students and interns are a whole 'nuther story, tho!
And I do object when a whole group of people of ANY sort a painted w/one brush.
can't leave this one, altho i certainly should. i truely do not believe i was flaming the op, or anyone else for that matter. i'm trying to point out a different perspective. i don't believe i've ever chomped on a new nurse (at least not in the last 25 years), med students and interns are a whole 'nuther story, tho!
and i do object when a whole group of people of any sort a painted w/one brush.
amen to that! :) i've had to chew on a few interns and seasoned docs in my nursing career, but i've never tasted a young nurse -- and don't plan to. i like my "meat" "seasoned". :rotfl:
amen to that! :) i've had to chew on a few interns and seasoned docs in my nursing career, but i've never tasted a young nurse -- and don't plan to. i like my "meat" "seasoned". :rotfl:
Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.
Actually the way I heard the old saying was.....
"Nursing where they eat their young....... And Kill of their old."
Now which tack was this thread really taking when it was started.
I saw no flaming from any of the responders to the OP's statements. I saw a rejection of the term "Ols Dogs" in reference to experienced nurses. I also saw an attempted answers to a pointed or loaded question regarding someone who apparently they believe that they already know more than someone who has been on the job years maybe decades longer.
I think overwhelming we have all said the same thing essentially.
1. There is more than one way to do your job.
2. some people are happy in their chosen niche and don't desire to move on to other areas.
but as a fairly new grad (last December) who has completed a 16 week residency in the NNICU and continues to work there....Honey, you can catch a whole lot more flies wth honey than you can with vinegar! And while I'll admit that yes, there are some nurses where I am who fit into the category you mentioned....there are far more "old dog" nurses who continue to keep their skills and certifications up and can teach us "young 'uns" a great deal. I look at them as opportunities....I'm never afraid to ask if they are aware of a better way to do something and while I'll admit that I don't always use their way, it's good to know more than one way. In my opinion, nursing school only prepares one to take the NCLEX and perform basic care, plus learn a little bit about lots of problems....it's up to us as nurses to enhance that knowledge in the area we are working so that we can be the best we can be.
Good luck to you.....if you're this vocal at work, you'd better watch your back!
Thanks for changing the thread title's words "old dog" to "old nurses". :thankya: :thankya: :thankya:
Many of us "old nurses" who embrace our "aging process" into more "mature years" don't mind being referred to as "old nurses".........but we surely do not appreciate being tagged "old dogs". :)
I haven't graduated yet, but I have to say that I disagree with the OP about experienced nurses just waiting until retirement. I have learned a lot from many 20-30 year nurses thus far, and many are very knowledgeable on new techniques, as well as longstanding patient care, and actively attending conferences to keep up with advances in techniques. My guess is that long-term nurses who that actually give the impression that they do not want to learn anything else before retirement were the same way as students and new nurses, and not the majority at any level.
i remember my first job out of nsg school as a hospice nurse; a classmate had also been hired.
this classmate came across as pompous, rude and arrogant; insistent on her way of doing things as we were taught. needless to say, she didn't last with that 'know it all' attitude. never in a million yrs would i graduate school thinking i knew more than the pros. i'm always humbled and grateful for anything i learn, younger or older.
Amazing. Just amazing. I happy to be among Nurses who realize all are valuable and not all are painted with the same brush. I also noted that the OP hasn't returned. I wonder why?
I think my mother is "one of those" nurses and yah know what, sometimes I don't blame her. I am by no means an old nurse nor am I a fresh nurse (10 yrs in) but I see alot. Alot of the older nurses have seen tons of change in thier years and have learned plenty, some are working to support a family or save money for retirement etc. They are tired, sick of being used and pushed around etc. Maybe that is why they don't want to jump up on their days off and take a class, etc and learn new tricks. Heck half of the time it aint new and lots of it they've been doing for years.
live4today, RN
5,099 Posts
hello garciadiego :)
first i'd like to say that i find your usage of the phrase "old dogs" insulting to the many seasoned well-experienced nurses in the world! :stone
just because you may have met a nurse or two that perhaps has left you with the impression that they no longer strive to improve themselves as nurses, therefore panting breathlessly for their retirement day to come doesn't mean you have the right to label all seasoned experienced nurses that way. i do hope brian will find offense to your title, and suggest a more appropriate title for this thread. your questions and thoughts are appreciated...just not in the condescending manner in which you have chosen to voice them.
