arborguy

I grew up as a nurse in an old school, U shaped ICU. Was small, we could see every patient from the desk. I’ve worked in the newer “race track” type units. There are areas to sit outside of each room designed to watch patients closer as opposed to a central desk but rarely are we sitting outside. I have a few theories. 1-No central desk has fragmented staff. It’s tougher to feel like a “team.” 2-In the old school U shaped units, I feel patients were watched closer, more eyes on those patients. The out of sight, out of mind. 3-I just feel more of a division mentality (those are YOUR patients...) in this layout of a unit. I think typically, we all felt some ownership of the patients (even if we weren’t necessarily assigned to that one) would answer lights, answer IV pumps... Thouhts?

thank you to all who have cared and taken the time to contribute. I have thought about putting together a type of staff developmental piece on trying to be more cognizant of our co workers.

It's a discussion forum! We can all improve in this area, including myself. I am not in school, graduated in 1999. I intended this for intelligent discussion. I am interested in being leading by example. Perhaps some of the negative posters on here should start this process themselves.

I get that students have asked for homework help. Why post if you have nothing to contribute. Move on. I graduated 16 years ago and intended on an adult discussion. A problem in nursing is cynical prudes.

Thanks for the discussion/feedback. I realize it was an old and not academic article. The different generations in the workforce is one small piece of the work culture. I work in a critical care transport role and deal with many units. Certain units will have tons of staff come in to admit a patient, "tuck them back in" after scans etc....while others will not get up to help their co workers. I just wanted to open up a general discussion. A personal view I hold as far as culture, I feel the staff own the culture. Management can "make rules," discipline staff, but I think the staff themselves hold the key to defining work culture. I am not currently a bedside nurse, but felt like I did my little part to improve culture by leading by example. For example, I worked in a CVICU. Staff will get tons if help (too much!) when a patient de compensated or arrests. The "glam" kind of help. Very few would help answer the call light of a patient that wasn't theirs, help with "code Browns etc..." I tried to make a point of doing those less glamorous helpful tasks and others caught on. I feel like setting an exams is much more powerful than the managers "laws." Although I recognize we need them too! Everyone has their place. thanks!

Here is the article. I am 38, graduated in 1999. Lol. I think it sad that people feel the only purpose/motive of discussion is in academia. Here is the link. Exploring the Generation Gap in the Nursing Workforce - NurseZone

Then don't respond. Your responses alone have highlighted a cultural problem.

I am not in school at the moment. This was a general discussion. I read an article last week discussing challenges in our workforce as we have four currently practicing (baby boomers, gen x, millennials and veterans.) Your assumptions were incorrect.

Wondering what you all think what encompasses a healthy work environment and characteristics of an unhealthy one? Also, what are some challenges in work culture we face today.