Seasoned Nurses VS Newbie Nurses

[Alexx_xox]

As I've stated in multiple other posts, I am a new grad in the ER. As a new grad, I do not possess the EXPERIENCE that a seasoned nurse has; however, I have noticed that many seasoned nurses are not up to date with new standards that were taught to us in school.

How can one bridge the gap between old knowledge vs newer knowledge?

Here is a perfect example. We were doing ACLS and all the new grads were very knowledgeable regarding the new ACLS protocol; however, a more seasoned nurse was there as well and was following a different protocol that was practiced years ago and not up to date.

With preceptorship coming soon, how do I as a new grad decide what to follow as far as their experience and advice, versus what was taught to me in school?

I am not talking about ACLS protocol here; OBVIOUSLY I am going to follow what the AHA recommends, but I am talking other things here for instance:

-skills

-assessments

-charting

etc.

I have noticed seasoned nurses also don't chart the same as newer nurses, especially because when they had originally started, there was no such thing as an online charting system.

I respect all seasoned nurses and love learning from them and their knowledge is absolutely invaluable, but I have noticed a lot of discrepancies between what we learn and what they do.

Any advice?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

It was a catchy title that I knew would bring in responses, I didn't literally mean it to be a boxing match. Relax, Mayweather.

Just for what it's worth, the constant snarkiness on your part and frequent admonishments to "relax" or "chill out" or the questioning of reading comprehension skills is not endearing you to the community of experienced nurses here, many of whom may be able to give you helpful advice in the future. Your attitude is already in question, for the very good reasons that many here have already shared with you. You may want to take it down a few notches.

[Skippingtowork]

I don't see people hating on the OP. We get probably a hundred threads on this same topic every year, and some of us get a little cranky when we see another seasoned vs. new nurse debate. Especially when the posters are still in school and have NO idea what working the floor as an actual nurse is like. A wise instructor once told me, when I complained to her about the RNs cutting corners in my clinical setting, "There's school, there are tests, and then there's real life". She was a practicing nurse, so she wasn't speaking from a high perch in academia. She was also right, and as I became a seasoned nurse myself I learned where I could (and could not) save time. I also took the time to explain to the students and new nurses I precepted that what they saw me do might not always be the way it was done in school, and that I expected them to do things exactly the way they were being taught.

We realize that new members may not know that this issue has been raised ad nauseam, but don't hate on *us* for being a little less than patient with these threads. They never end well, and we know it.

The new nurse has a right to ask the question. No one needs to respond if "tired" of the topic. The OP asked how to bridge between old knowledge and newer knowledge. This demonstrates thoughtfulness. When I have precepted I always ask the student what they learned about various subjects or tasks. It's good to hear what is being taught out there. When I was precepted as an NP, the physician's would come an look at guidelines I was using. Yes, they may have already seen it, but they enjoyed discussing the topic with me and why they may have deviated. Win-win situation.

[Skippingtowork]

Yeah I know we have been waiting in my ER for decades for some new nurse to come along and describe the wonders of Evidence Based Practice or what their nursing professor thought about whatever. Nursing is a fluid profession and change is a constant. Good Nurses keep up with the changes and if they don't they won't last in a critical care or ER setting. All of the Nurses in my ER have a BSN. Probably half have or are working on their MSN. Four of us are in DNP programs. If some twit nursing professor planted the idea in a nursing students head that they were the proper vehicle to update all us relics in the ER they did that new nurse a serious disservice. I'll go back to my original advice. Unless you see something that will negatively impact a patient your job is to watch, learn and work hard. Seriously asses your audience before offering any sage pearls of wisdom based on the sole qualification of just getting out of nursing school because the reaction to this shared insight might not be what you want and have lasting effects

This is not what the OP was suggesting.

[bgxyrnf, MSN, RN]

They're called elastomeric pumps, and they are absolutely brilliant! If anyone reading this has no idea what we're talking about, stop now and Google. This is a great way to get around the eternal pump shortage in every ED I have ever worked in, haha. :)

I'm old school... a dial-a-flow and a pressure bag

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

Why are you so critical of the other nurses,who died and made you queen?You have NO experience,zero,open your eyes and learn.As far as your comment on charting ,some older nurses might take longer with online while many others are better than you.By the way have you ever used a fountain pen?

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

Why the name calling ? There are no haters up here,only different opinions,get it.

[SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN]

This is not what the OP was suggesting.

Thanks for your interpretation but I'll draw my own conclusions

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I'm old school... a dial-a-flow and a pressure bag

That setup has several points of failure when you compare it to these. I was seriously impressed.

[Wuzzie]

The new nurse has a right to ask the question. The OP asked how to bridge between old knowledge and newer knowledge. This demonstrates thoughtfulness. When I was precepted as an NP, the physician's would come an look at guidelines I was using.

Yes she does have a right but there was a much better way to word it other than alleging that seasoned nurses were using "outdated" procedures. How would she even know? Perhaps the seasoned nurse was using a procedure that was newer than what she was taught. Or the pendulum on that procedure had swung back as we know happens all. the. time. Or maybe it just worked better for that particular patient. Even the title was inflammatory and she admitted that she chose it just to get a response. On the internet that behavior is called trolling. So no, there was no "thoughtfulness" demonstrated.

When you were precepting I highly doubt you went on-line and accused the physicians of being "out-dated" and even after you graduated did you sit in judgement of the experienced staff with your new "knowledge"? I doubt it. They would have run you out on a rail.

When I precept I don't mind at all if my student/orientee respectfully discusses the difference in practice he/she notices because I AM up to date on EBP. However if I hear "that's not how I was taught in school" that gets my hackles up. It comes across as accusatory and is frequently found in newbies who don't know what they don't know and are practically unteachable because of it.

Finally, nothing gets the ire of this community up better than a new member who posts something, gets answers that don't suit her who then starts flinging about accusations of NETY and bullying. She is completely unapologetic about the inflammatory nature of the title of her thread and I dare say she's very much enjoying the poop storm she's stirred up. There's a different term for that.

[YUKONrn]

They're called elastomeric pumps, and they are absolutely brilliant! If anyone reading this has no idea what we're talking about, stop now and Google. This is a great way to get around the eternal pump shortage in every ED I have ever worked in, haha. :)

I knew they had a formal name, I just didn't know what it was. You learn something new every day. I always called them "antibiotic balls" ROFLMAO

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I knew they had a formal name, I just didn't know what it was. You learn something new every day. I always called them "antibiotic balls" ROFLMAO

That's fine, I have heard them called "grenade pumps" because I guess you just toss them on the bed, haha.

For the record, I am a seasoned nurse who keeps up with new things. Usually. :)

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think most of us understand what you were trying to say. Perhaps the heading got some fired up. Seasoned Nurses VS Newbie Nurses makes it sound like a heavyweight title boxing match :)

Yes ... the "US vs. THEM" mentality was started with the selection of the title for this thread.