I notice some students or others seem to think that because they've heard about a nursing shortage, that means that they will get a day position in their dream unit, and be welcomed with open arms as if they are the reserve troops come to save the day.
I don't think that's really the case. You still have to take the less desirable shifts, prove yourself, be accepted by your co-workers, and earn respect. Yes, there are toxic units, and those ones are probably more in need of extra help, so you might be more likely to get a job there.
If you are a newbie, you still have to 'pay your dues' in some way, that's usually the way life works in many arenas.
Specializes in Birth center, LDRP, L&D, PP, nursing education.
Respect and deference are like courtesy. Those that demand them generally don't deserve them.
Those that do deserve them stick out like a halogen lamp at night.
While one should recognize that the experienced nurse has more knowledge that doesn't mean they are more equal or important. It does mean that one should heed their advice.
Completely agree. Those who deserve respect often don't demand it. Humility goes a long way. Knowledge and experience gives seasoned nurses an advantage, and we new grads SHOULD listen to their advice and experience.
Paying your dues makes it sound a bit archaic, but I get the gist of what everyone means.
often those "less desirable patient assignments" are given to new nurses not because they have to pay their dues, but because though the patients may be demanding they aren't really all that sick. While you may complain you may have a charge nurse that is making assignments based upon patient acuity and skill rather than trying to make it hard on the new-bie
I was on a floor for a while that was almost all new grads. And they didn't understand why the 1 other experienced nurse and myself were always grumpy. Hello! It's because we've got the heaviest assignments! They may not be the "yucky" ones, but we've got the patients that just might die if not cared for correctly. And on top of that, we're juggling looking our for the new grads too. And what's really funny, is since we've all gone on to different floors, they're always saying how much easier it was on that previous floor, (not realizing it's because they're starting to get "real" assignments), while I'm having the easiest time ever now that I've gone to a floor where I'm not the most experienced every single day.
I also remember at a previous job. We had a nurse that was flat out scary. She'd forget things. Important things. Her thought processes were just out of whack. And when making an assignment, I just flat out couldn't trust her with a patient that would be in need of a nurse that could think. So she'd get the patients that were more along the lines of dressing changes, bed changes, give them some tylenol and sleep through the night. Sure, it seemed like a tougher assignment than people with iffy telemetry rhythms and electrolyte disturbances, but I just didn't trust her to think clearly. It's the same with new grads, until the charge can trust your critical thinking and judgement, you're gonna get the patients that it's easy to see if you did things correctly, with things like yucky dressings.
These darn kids and their shiny new RN badges... They got no respect! Aaah, this new generation, they don't know doodly SQUAT about nursing! Why in my day, the new nurses were respectful and knew their places, and that's the way it ought to be.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Respect and deference are like courtesy. Those that demand them generally don't deserve them.
Those that do deserve them stick out like a halogen lamp at night.
While one should recognize that the experienced nurse has more knowledge that doesn't mean they are more equal or important. It does mean that one should heed their advice.
Love this post. It applies to all areas of life, including nursing.
What would your advice be for new grads to find jobs right out of school? I currently am getting my CNA certification and then will take the pre-reqs for the LPN program and then do the RN program. That scares me to death to think there might not be a job at the end of all of that. I know the program is really tough. I found this out when I got my B.S. in Business - No jobs due to lack of experience. What can I do this time to work a little smarter and avoid the same scenario all over again?
I do not believe any of us can project what jobs or ecomony might be in a couple of years. We all pray , the facilities we work for will remain finanically sound. We all pray to retain the jobs we have. I pray for those not in the healthcare field to have jobs available to them.
Meanwhile, I believe your finding a job as CNA at this time will not be difficult at all.
I currently work in Pathology and have for 22 years. I probably won't apply for a CNA job simply because I can't afford to (here the pay is about 9.67/hr for a a CNA) but I certainly wouldn't mind helping them out when they need it and volunteering my time. It's a win-win - I gain valuable experience while pursuing the RN degree and also perform a service to those who need it. I understand by 2010, all RN's will be required to get their BSN. Is this true in the hospital you work at as well?
I currently work in Pathology and have for 22 years. I probably won't apply for a CNA job simply because I can't afford to (here the pay is about 9.67/hr for a a CNA) but I certainly wouldn't mind helping them out when they need it and volunteering my time. It's a win-win - I gain valuable experience while pursuing the RN degree and also perform a service to those who need it. I understand by 2010, all RN's will be required to get their BSN. Is this true in the hospital you work at as well?
thanks for your reply.
I'm just a student, but I have never heard that, anywhere that there was any kind of proof. Even in this financial crisis my hospital has a ton of RN openings. If they got rid of all of their Associates RNs they would be really be pressed to fill enough positions to keep the hospital running.
why volunteer ? look for a CNA job part time or per diem. get experience that way.
there have been rumors for years about the RNs having a BSN as a minimum for practice, but it is like an internet rumor, it never dies. Currently i believe that it will not be put into place, especially with the state of the economy, we can barely afford college for our children, how to do it for ourselves.
The saddest part of all of these posts is that every profession has it's problems.......how we deal with them is different.
Nurses either are supportive or not!
They either teach well or don't!
They are either cliqueish or not!
They choose not to move, but then get angry when others do!
Whether new nurses are young or old, they are a product of their schools, work ethic, background and the TRAINING THEY RECEIVE FROM YOU AS THEY ARE PRECEPTED!
I agree no nurse should be in management without an understanding of the flow. As a former manager of many, I have been offered multiple management jobs....I am only feeling now that I have a handle on my area of nursing. If nursing experience wasn't necessary then anyone could be a manager in healthcare without a nursing degree!
As unpopular as this will sound, I also believe that BSN graduates(traditional) should work for a few years prior to attempting any upper level position. While they may find it flattering to be asked, are they really being taken advantage of? What prepares them to be making decisions, many have no life experience-and their facilities will say they accepted a position with all it's risks....are they really ready for that?
As for the nurses who resent the new grads....if you love bedside, stay there. If you are dissatisfied, do something about it! One of the things I am sick and tired of hearing is how bad it is.....HEARS A NEWSFLASH, IT'S LIKE THAT EVERYWHERE! Employees negotiate everything when being hired, if it hasn't been nursing's culture-then shame on us(remember the "handmaiden" analogy-you have rights, and one of them is getting what you want).
Currently in northern NJ there are no get what you want jobs, new grads will be lucky if they can obtain a job! Nurses are being laid off and the market is getting tight again, as a result my hospital is getting "snarky" with the nurses and giving the if you don't like it-leave attitude. I think they will be in for a shock....in our area, anyone of us can leave!
Finally, if long time nurses are shocked to get attitude from your newbies, look to your preceptorships. If you want excellence, portray excellence and welcome your new nurses. Lay the groundwork for expectations. When you make comments like "you aren't fast enough, you won't last, you don't belong here, etc....." You become the opposition. When I precept, I ask what the new nurse has been experiencing and then advise them to do their best, learn to be part of the team, and always ask me anything without fear of reprisal. I also suggest they tell their educator if a nurse is nasty.....that is not acceptable, and should not be allowed. I was older and wasn't going to take crap, many of the young ones leave crying due to poor tx all the time.
In my experience, I think part of the reason med-surg isn't a popular option among students is that during clinical rotations, med-surg nursing was least comprehensive and appeared to be the kind of task-oriented nursing that instructors warned you against.
Med-surg nurses are often understaffed and seem to spend more time just running around to cover the basics - getting those insulins in administered before breakfast, getting meds passed before patients disappear to testing - that they don't seem to have time to really look at the big picture with the patient, to see how everything fits together... and to explain it to the newbie.
Specialty area nurses often self-select there and so are more likely to enjoy their work and be truly interested in that area, thus sharing their knowledge and interest with the students. If the specialty unit has lower ratios, the nurses will likely be more friendly to the students as opposed to treating them like just another hassle.
A cardiac nurse can really learn about and explain cardiac issues, an oncology nurse can really learn about and explain chemotherapy... a med-surg nurse looks like they know a little about a lot but are generally too busy to get into in much depth... just the basics... vital signs stable? blood sugars stable? patient voiding?... As a student who has it drilled in into them that they'd better understand the underlying pathophys and the rationale behind interventions... med surg can seem like it would be MORE difficult to learn as a newbie than a specialty area where it seems you might be better able to master the whole enchilada and not just run around trying to get all the tasks done... feeling like a lifeguard who has to clean the pool, teach swimming lessons, and man the reception desk while making sure no one drowns.
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Excellent description
While I didn't 'hate' med-surg, (and paid my 1 yr due ) I am MUCH happier and loving the specialty area I left MS for.
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) I am MUCH happier and loving the specialty area I left MS for. 
lpnflorida, LPN
1,304 Posts
Jaywolves, your post #183 says it so well.