Older nurses jealous of new young nurses?

gerry79 · Jun 6, 2006

I wish that I had the knowledge and experience of the older nurses! I worked with an experienced nurse (30 years) during my ICU clinical last week and she was WONDERFUL!

nursemike, ASN, RN · Jun 6, 2006

here's some education for the newbies. . .your complaining about this is just as bad as the old bags who may be giving you a hard time. it's all about negative attitudes. the old biddies are handing it out, and some of you newbies are falling right into their trap, sucking it up and spitting out more of your own here. it's all game playing and psychological one-upmanship. ignore these old crones! spend your time in more creative, educational and postivie endeavors! i was unlucky enough to have terrible mentors and a whole bunch of old biddies around me who liked nothing more than to point out every little mistake or flaw i made when i was starting out. i've made it a personal quest to help others going through that same thing learn to deal with it. you are not helping yourself by trashing on these awful people--only making your own pain worse. ignore them and move on. it's very likely that those of you who are the complainers of being on the end of abuse today will be the abusers of the newbies of tomorrow and that's a fact because that is how the cycle of abuse works. think about that.

i think you're right, to a point. there are likely to be some around who just want to pick someone apart. but i do believe there are some hyper-critical nurses whose intentions are actually decent. some nurses i've talked to have been educated in almost a "boot-camp" environment, and some of them may believe that's how it's supposed to be (those i've spoken to do not). the point i want to make, though, is that you have to think about what's said, even if you don't appreciate the manner in which it is said. if you can honestly say you're sure your critic is wrong, do what you know is right. if your critic is right, but making more of a deal over it than it needs to be, try not to let the negativity get to you, but try to correct the practice, too.

one lesson i've found, in school and in practice, is that if you own your mistakes, it's very hard to ride you about them. that isn't fun to do. i don't mean you have to rend your garments and put ashes in your hair, but sometimes you have to be ready to admit, "yes, i screwed up. can you suggest how i might avoid that in the future?" or, better, "here's how i think i can avoid that in the future. what do you think?"

my other point is, if people are reacting negatively to you, you can't assume it's because they're bad people. you might be the bad person. i'm sure not many intend to be the bad person, but it's easy to do without even trying. i would be highly surprised, for example, if the op intended to be arrogant, but her comments make me wonder whether her co-workers might see her that way, in which case correcting their perception is her problem--not theirs. but i am open to the possibility that she is just unlucky enough to be surrounded by "biddies," in which case she may have to just keep a low profile until she can get out of there.

barbnyc · Jun 6, 2006

All work environments have intergroup dynamics -- whether it's corporate America or the health care system. Anyone who represents changes in an environment brings either a threat or a gift of support to the existing environment.

I'm wondering if I would be considered "older" as I am over 40 and will be starting nursing school in the Fall. Being over 40, I have learned the ultimate tool in life is RESPECT FOR PEOPLE. When I get the opportunity to do my clinicals in the future, I will be grateful to any experienced professional who will be willing to hand off any insights to me in my future profession, and I will gladly do the same when it is my turn.

My experience has been that when I meet or work with people who know more than I do, I am to respect them and thank them for whatever they have to offer. I have observed how this changes relationships for the better and you would be amazed at how little it takes to bridge well with other people (especially coworkers, professors, supervisors, etc).

bklynborn · Jun 6, 2006

Hmmmm how about we switch this one around? Do new nurses resent older nurses?

I was once a new nurse myself and at that time I was eager to show my stuff...............new and fresh from school...............full of energy and out to save them all. A quick dose of reality was my attitude adjuster. I soon learned that work with a full patient load with multiple problems and those wonderful family members were tougher to deal with than the one to four patient clinical I had during school. In order to save myself I quickly learned to glean whatever knowledge I could from the more experienced nurses, in order to make it in the real world.

Nursing is give and take, a twenty four hour seven day a week, three hundred and sixty five day a year process............none of us can make it alone. We laugh and cry together. We hold each other up when we are weary, doubting ourselves and our calling.

It is time to build each other up. not to build walls.

burn out · Aug 1, 2007

I just can't even imagine why a new nurse would feel like they could intimadate an older nurse. When I was a new grad I looked to the older nurses for guidance and knowledege and learned far more from them my first two years out of school than all the book knowledge I had in school. If it were not for the older nurses teaching me what they knew I do not think I would be the nurse I am today. Perhaps older nurses eat the young that are asking for it.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Aug 2, 2007

I'm a new nurse(of about a year) that is jealous of the experience and knowledge of the seasoned nurses...I'm tired of being the newbie. LOL

lucylumps · Aug 2, 2007

To summarize: if you find yourself swimming with sharks, be a sponge. Sharks don't eat sponges.

That was great!

jsbear · Aug 5, 2007

I am into my 3rd week of preceptorship as a new nurse with a nurse that has been nursing for 14 years. Since I have been with her all this time I felt secure in informing her on the administration of prefilled Lovenox. I watched her expel the air bubble from the syringe. After the 2nd time of watching her do this, I finally told her that she did not need to expel the air bubble, and I got the lecture, " I have been a nurse for 14 years and when these first came out they showed us how to administer this med. Then she kindly informed me I was a new nurse, and I needed to learn. I allowed her to say what she needed to say because I really don't know where the response was coming from. I don't not think it is jealousy or the sort. I really feel she thinks she was doing the right thing. But somethings I think she forgets that I have graduated nursing school. I do not have 14 years worth of experience, but can I not have credit for know a little something, GOSH.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 6, 2007

I've been a nurse for 13 years and have precepted a number of brand new nurses. I learn new things from them all the time. Each of us brings our own experience and knowledge to whatever we do. As far as I'm concerned nursing and lifelong learning go hand in hand. When I stop learning form those around me, I will know it's time to quit. But then on the other hand, there is much to be said for how a new idea is presented. I too might be unreceptive if the person correcting me about something is in my face about it. Knowing that about myself, I find myself rehearsing how to say things to others so that they're not on the defensive before I've even begun.

siggie13 · Feb 6, 2008

Are older nurses intimidated by new younger nurses? What do you think

Did you really mean to use the word "intimidated"? If so, exactly what is it about a new young nurse that would intimidate me, a war vet, nurse for 40 years on the "front line" so to speak? I have reached to point where nothing intimidates me. I feel saddness toward younger nurses because I know what they have in store for them (they don't, I think) and I only see the nursing profession getting more stressful and trying. At times, I have been envious of younger nurses' zeal and fresh outlook on nursing.

Intimidated!?, NO.:igtsyt:

siggie13 · Feb 6, 2008

I'm a new nurse, and I don't think anybody is threatened or intimidated by me! But I'm also 49 years old, and have learned some things through life experience that have helped me fit in. First, bear in mind that no one stays in nursing long enough to be an experienced nurse without some pretty good reasons, at least one of which is almost certain to be: it's important. Good nurses take their work very seriously. Differences of opinion can get more personal than they maybe ought to, but we aren't baking bread, here. In the same vein, incompetence, and worse, indifference are apt to provoke impatience. If you're perceived as lazy or inept, you aren't likely to get much sympathy. If you come across as cocky or know-it-all, they'll eat you alive.
Not only nurses, but most people with a level of expertise like to be respected for their knowledge. Show that and a readiness to learn, and there will be people ready to teach. Fail to show it, and you'll be written off. It's human nature, and it isn't really wrong. Why should anyone invest their energy in someone unwilling to profit by it?
Of course, as others have noted, a few people are just mean, and it is possible to wind up in a group who are mostly that way. But my experience with people in and out of nursing has been that mean people are a minority.
Taking criticism appropriately may be a new nurse's biggest challenge. You can't let it get you down, but you shouldn't shrug it off, either. You have to be willing to learn from mistakes, evaluate yourself honestly, and seriously consider whether a critical remark is valid. Valid criticism helps you grow. Honestly thinking through why a criticism is not valid can help you grow, too. There may well be times when a recent grad may be more up-to-date, and there are likely to be times when a thing can be done right in more than one way. But it's still important to respect traditional wisdom, even when you choose a more modern approach.
To summarize: if you find yourself swimming with sharks, be a sponge. Sharks don't eat sponges.

YOU ARE WISE BEYOND YOUR EXPERIENCE AND WOULD BE A JOY TO WORK WITH, I THINK.

Nurse Lulu · Feb 8, 2008

it's very likely that those of you who are the complainers of being on the end of abuse today will be the abusers of the newbies of tomorrow and that's a fact because that is how the cycle of abuse works. think about that.isn't that how abuse usually works, in all areas in life?

i get what you are saying but ignoring is not the answer. just like poor attitudes in new people, it should be dealt with. cat

the evil people will burn themselves out. there was one who was really evil to me, and a year later she is gone. turns out she was rude to others too, and management took notice.