Seasoned and Newbie Nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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There is something of a pattern here on allnurses with the Newbie and Seasoned Nurses. The Newbies tend to seek information and support, whereas the Seasoned discuss experiences and share knowledge.

This is a very general perspective, may be the natural order of things, and does not apply to every situation, but it's like I said, it's a sort of pattern I've noticed.

In discussing differences between Newbies and Seasoned Nurses, this thread has the potential to go off in multiple directions, yet continue to remain true to the topic. The direction that I would like to begin this discussion with a passing and taking the torch sort of thing.

As long as I can remember, I have been attracted to older people. I loved hearing them tell tales of how it use to be and what they thought about how things are now. I would sometimes even ask them what they believed the future would bring.

Multiple older people, ranging from relatives to friends to professionals, truly influenced and had an effect on my life and career. I sought their perspective and knowledge and I believe that seeking helped to make me the person I am and the Nurse I was.

Basho said something along the lines of, "Follow not in the footsteps of the wise, but seek what they sought".

A passing of the torch. Or the baton.

If my perception regarding this thread is correct, it will receive the majority of the posts by Seasoned Nurses sharing their perspective. Very few Newbies will make submissions.

Why is that?

I've got some thoughts of my own but want to read and discuss yours first.

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
4 minutes ago, JBMmom said:

A very mature and seasoned attitude, and one that many early 20-something new nurses may not fully embrace yet. I sense many of them are hesitant for the exact reasons you mention. However, many are very open to feedback and I hope they find what they are looking for here.

Thank you, JBMmom. As the Man in  Black said, "I've worked very hard to become so".

When I was in my 20's two of the major things that drove me was others' opinions of me and sex.

Age, experience, an illuminating revelation here & there, and a decrease in hormone secretions goes a long way.

Oh, there are some really great young adults out there, and I have felt honored to have worked with them and to have known them.

It was a joy to have passed the torch to such individuals.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I am old, seasoned-to-a-crisp nurse. I try very hard to hold back on the snark when dealing with new nurses who behave a "certain way". I would say the vast majority of new nurses are earnest and seeking help/advice/information and I am very happy to be there for them. I guess ageism works both ways. The "young" are disregarded as much as the "older" among us are.

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
19 minutes ago, SmilingBluEyes said:

I try very hard to hold back on the snark when dealing with new nurses who behave a "certain way". 

Sometimes, being snarky is necessary in order to drive home a point if other methods fail, SBE.

BTW: As a side note, I have, in my possession, a Jedrnurse Snarkometer:

 

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

OH NO now I know you are tracking me. I better behave!

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
2 minutes ago, SmilingBluEyes said:

OH NO now I know you are tracking me. I better behave!

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1 hour ago, Davey Do said:

Your entire post was an enjoyable read, Daisy- your history, perspectives, and methods.

I chose to quote a couple of statements in order to specifically comment on them

 

Some members do not have the ability to separate thier premise from their personality. Hence, if their premise is attacked, they take it as a personal attack.

Some do not know the rules of polite debating and automatically, it seems, attack the person.

For example, one member stated their premise, and instead of debating that premise, the other member crassly questioned the member's perception of reality.

A falling person will flail reach out for anything on which to grab to save themselves. If the person feels and believes they have found a sturdy support, there's no need to flail about.

My guess is the one who attacks does not have a sturdy premise which will support them in a debate.

I could go on with other examples, but suffice it to say that I refuse to debate with those who do not follow the rules of polite debating.

I'm going through this in another thread right now. It's actually entertaining to me because it's so petty it's funny.

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
6 minutes ago, NurseBlaq said:

I'm going through this in another thread right now. 

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.
1 hour ago, Davey Do said:

My guess is the one who attacks does not have a sturdy premise which will support them in a debate.

I have also found this to be true.

 

8 hours ago, Davey Do said:

Uh-oh. I see Don Quixote on the horizon

But then again maybe we all have a little Don Quixote in us to some degree

 

1 hour ago, SmilingBluEyes said:

OH NO now I know you are tracking me. I better behave!

Or, we turn the tables on DD and start tracking him LOL

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I remember the threads that attracted a LOT of snark.  

“People are mean to me because they’re jealous of my youth and beauty.”

(When I suggested that perhaps her rather obvious attitude about older folks was coming across to her coworkers, the reply was that it was obvious that I hated her because she was beautiful and that I had just proved her point.  I pointed out that I had never met her and thus couldn’t hate her because of her beauty because I couldn’t tell if she WAS beautiful.  I remember someone had to explain that to her.)  

”Clouds of mean people are following me everywhere I go.”  (Explaining why she was on her fifth job since being licensed six months ago.)

”I flunked the NCLEX 17 times, but that does not mean I’m not a good nurse.”  (Ummmm — it means you AREN’T A NURSE at all until you pass.)  

As a rule, older new grads, having some experience at life, didn’t start threads like that.  So I doubt it’s a “new grad” type of thing.  I think it’s a youth sort of thing.  (God knows I was an ignorant new grad (at 21) who may have posted such threads if the internet had been invented then.)  

I think most of the Crusty Old Bats (Er . . . “Seasoned nurses”) genuinely wanted to help; but many were scared away by newbies who immediately went on the attack toward anyone who tried to actually *help* them rather than just agree with them.  I confess, it took me a long time to figure out that many of the newbies who wrote just wanted to complain about their elders and have their friends agree with them.  I honestly thought they wanted help.  

 

21 minutes ago, Ruby Vee said:

 

As a rule, older new grads, having some experience at life, didn’t start threads like that.  So I doubt it’s a “new grad” type of thing.  I think it’s a youth sort of thing.  (God knows I was an ignorant new grad (at 21) who may have posted such threads if the internet had been invented then.)  

 

 

Newbie Nurse, here! I'll complete my first year as an RN later this Summer and I must say it has been a truly wild ride. I agree the "everyone is mean to me because I'm so young and hot" type attitude is far more likely to happen with the youthful lot of new grads. I interacted with a good bit of people with that kind of attitude through nursing school. I don't comment all that often on this site (aside from when I could offer actual advice or give an answer based on experience) because I know I'm still getting my feet wet. Although I have a fair amount of "life" experience that has helped me adjust to my nursing career, I know some things will just come with time. 

I have two "Crusty Old Bats" on my unit that I absolutely ADORE working with! I think they offer amazing advice (and keep me on my feet by asking me what I think and working through solutions with me), and when we have a rare spare moment, I love hearing their stories from the battleground. I peruse threads often, soaking up the advice (and occasional snark) that the seasoned nurses provide. Thank you for paving the way for newbies like me ? 

Specializes in Being myself.

There always needs to have a level of respect. Things, topics, ideals go left because people fail to show respect. I am a "well flavored" LPN of 13 years. Depending on the situation I have the most knowledge in the room or the least. Regardless, I always show respect to those in the room, even if I am by myself. I love reading the perspectives of "older", wiser information being disseminated, however with everything moving at such an advanced pace nowadays, factual information, regardless of the age or duration of the vessel, is everywhere. We have to remain respectful to all who seek knowledge, and nursing will be in a much better place. God bless you all and thank you for supporting the conversation.

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
2 hours ago, BagelBomber said:

Newbie Nurse, here!

YAAAAAAY!

You are welcomed with open arms, BagelBomber!

Wait a minute.

Have you received your vaccination yet?

Perhaps I should hug you like I did my medical Nurse wife Belinda when she came home after a shift at the height of the pandemic:

 

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2 hours ago, BagelBomber said:

I don't comment all that often on this site

I would encourage you to post more often, as your post was a very comfortable read.

I try to imagine what my posts would be like, had the internet and allnurses had been around in the '80's, when I was a Newbie.

I like to think my posts would be similar to yours, BagelBomber.

Keep comin' back!

 

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