The NEW Nurse (Not the ones AOL speak of)

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Jul 3, 2008

i'm still trying to understand the uproar.
you made it perfectly clear that you were talking about nurses in your workplace:
and not all new nurses.
and, your vent was reasonable and very valid.
to pretend this doesn't happen, isn't helpful at all.
dang.
leslie

This is my take on what caused the defensive attitude:

Perhaps it was a tad unfair to say that

Here is my take on the new nurses today.

Then the OP backpedaled -- sorta -- by saying

Not all new nurses do this but, at the facility where I work

- and then forged ahead with what many of us considered an inaccurate and unfair generalization --

80 percent have the following behaviour

.

I've had problems with several of my coworkers and sometimes, it's the culture of that particular unit, but I would say, "Oh geez, there are a couple of real pains-in-the-butt to work with," not "I work with a few people that have a lousy work ethic, therefore 80% of the people in the entire building must also have a lousy work ethic."

That said, I hope that the OP can get a nice relaxing day off to refresh and regroup. I would not want to work with coworkers such as she describes, either. In fact, I might even go so far as to describe the unit culture as "toxic," and I might think about leaving. I have done so in the past and am on an excellent unit with great coworkers, so I know those wonderful units are out there.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Jul 3, 2008

I did find a solution however. I spoke with the placement office and since I go anywhere in critical care they need me, I can (and did) request to remove myself from availability to that particular unit and go elsewhere for a few weeks.
I just need a break from the whole mess.
God bless!:heartbeat

I think that's a good decision. Their loss.

leslie :-D · Jul 3, 2008

This is my take on what caused the defensive attitude:
Perhaps it was a tad unfair to say that Then the OP backpedaled -- sorta -- by saying - and then forged ahead with what many of us considered an inaccurate and unfair generalization -- .

but if you read her opening thread, she makes it clear that this is happening in her workplace.

and yes, i do believe that 80% of anything, can occur within 1 environment.

i guess my line of thinking, is i don't get defensive if/when it doesn't apply to me.

i know what type of work ethic i have and don't take it personally if someone makes such a general statement.

leslie:twocents:

TAB_RN · Jul 3, 2008

I feel so lucky that I work in a hospital with such a supportive staff. I am a new nurse and working on a Cardiac/thoracic surgical floor. We deal with the CABG patients, valve replacements and a fairly high acuity level of cardiac problems. I think I would sink if I didn't have the support I have had. I have learned more in the last six months on this floor, than I ever did in school. Every nurse I work with (there is a team of 6 nurses on my shift), is supportive, helpful and will always work with the "patient first" attitude. Some of the nurses are new (under 1 year) and some have been there for 30 years. I have never, ever gone through a shift where somebody hasn't offered their assistance. When a nurse has caught up on my floor, it is customary for them to walk around and offer assistance. I cannot imagine what it must feel like for you to work with the people you are describing. On our floor, we actually like each other and we also try to find time periodically to schedule a lunch together (including nurses, PCA's, unit secretaries, and anyone else that works with us) just to have time out from the workplace. Everybody's birthdays are celebrated and when somebody has an achievement, that is also celebrated. I love my job and feel even more lucky to work in such a cooperative environment that I just wanted to let you know that not all places are like you are describing. If I were you, I would look around for a place that has a reputation for camaraderie.

Good luck to you... and your patients.

leslie :-D · Jul 4, 2008

tab, i love reading posts such as yours.

thanks for sharing your story.

leslie

aloevera · Jul 4, 2008

I would wager to bet that the OP was just calling it as she saw it....

Not being judgmental or prejudiced in any way...just the way it was, as she sees it.....no more, no less..... we all need to vent and there are always going to be people that read things into what we say....that is just the way it is.....

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · Jul 4, 2008

i have something to say in this reply and this is for grumpyrn63. i invite you to work with me - you will find i am not prejudiced, judgemental, or a bigot. i am a hard working rn who frequently precepts; i believe in doing all one can for her patients. i try to be there and be easily accessed for information or help with our new nurses. it cannot be said that i had anything with chasing them out of our unit. instead i complained about my observations here where i felt like it would be open for discussion among my peers. perhaps you should have posted about what a toxic unprofessional workplace you are in without a blanket judgment specifically aimed at new nurses. (80 % that is), one that sounds like complete lack of any management whatsoever.,especially is this is occuring in an icu setting....scary.
if this dialogue were verbal, i can imagine what you would say to me - in other words, just keep throwing verbal insults at your opponent at the top of your lungs so you cannot hear anything they say.actually, i am a very laid back, non-argumentative/non-judgmental person. you are not in the circumstances i found myself last weekend. you were not there to see me volunteer to take the 3rd patient because the other nurses began arguing with the charge and i felt it was important to get the patient out of the er.i was there last week when the 'new nurse' (a year out)i was working with was playing on the computer and i first picked her pt off the floor, then took over her ed admission who was bleeding out while she did nothing, and in between ended up rapid responding her pt who was crashing after multiple attempts to get her to act, call the md, assess, etc while she did nothing until her pt was sating in the 60's and nearly coded. i did not complain to anyone, she did thank me in the morning for my help.(gee your welcome) i wouldn't consider her indifference or lazyness is r/t her being new, just a lazy sack.i am not a saint but i am not the things you accuse me of. neither am i.
when you walk in my shoes for 3 shifts, in the same circumstances, and find yourself the butt of a joke about your handicap that is terrible and deplorable, and you should take those shoes and walk out of there. (which i did nothing to earn but rather awoke one day to find my life turned upside down) and by the way - which 90% of my co-workers and 100% of my patients never know about, then, and only then will you be allowed to criticize me.
your description of me in your comment sounds and seems more of a description of yourself. write whatever you like - i am allowed to vent and i am allowed to complain because this is america. you are absolutely correct, and i am allowed to respond. i am not argumentative in any way, i am simply saying the behaviors you describe can be demonstrated by anyone, rookie, seasoned, whatever. happy 4th to you as well.

SunnyAndrsn · Jul 4, 2008

I'm 35 years old, a new nurse and this is why I don't spend a lot of time near our nurses' station! I have been late once since I started, because of an accident on the highway. I made a conscious decsion during my orientation to spend as much time on the floor with my residents as possible BECAUSE of the gossip, the personal baggage, etc.

I would not tolerate another nurse wearing headphones or playing on the computer! Couldn't you just say "hey, I have enough to do with my own patient load, could you put your toys away so you can check your alarms, answer your lights, etc?" No one at our facility would do this!

Don't put up with sub-standard nursing, push these newbies to raise the standard of care.

Here is my take on the new nurses today. Not all new nurses do this but, at the facility where I work - 80 percent have the following behaviour:
Consistently late to take report (20 minutes average).
Bring their "luggage" to work - fight with kids, husband, lover, married lover, most of the shift - don't these people sleep??
Show no respect to the patient, the experienced nurse and/or doctor.
Spend 90 percent of their time on the computer - and - as soon as the day shift leaves, the IPod or MP comes on either with or without earphones.... so they NEVER hear call lights, telephones, telemetry alarms.
Discuss their business or another staff member's business in the patient's room.
Hold the experienced nurse to public ridicule.
Make fun of this disabled nurse's disability (just happened this past weekend) AND the hospital is sweeping it under the rug.
Text message all night long.

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · Jul 4, 2008

Then in my opinion the 1st line of the statement " Here is my take on the new nurses today. " should have been left off. I personally read that and did not pay much attnetion to the second line as the 1st impression was already rearing in my head.

:yeahthat:

SoundofMusic · Jul 4, 2008

I can't imagine folks with IPODS on the floor listening to music. None would get away with that. I do, however, see RN's with their multi use phones constantly checking them and carrying them around in their pocket -- I personally feel they should leave them in their lockers and not carry them around while doing patient care. It's just a major distraction.

I'd say I see immature behavior from both young and older nurses. Many of the older nurses are consistently 10 minutes late in the a.m. and no one seems to say anyting to them about it. Some of them are my age, but act like 22 year olds.

Me, the newbie, I'm there 30 minutes early to get my sheets ready and pockets loaded before I take report as I am so disorganized and slow I can't get it all done in 30 minutes.

aloevera · Jul 4, 2008

I am one of those "with a phone in my pocket", I have it on vibrate and only have it for a home emergency (only my teenage son and husband would call during work) Those of you with a teenage son will understand why I keep it with me....I do check it frequently...It does not distract from my work or bother any of my co-workers....

If I did not carry it, then I would be distracted from my work !!!!!

and no, they cannot reach me calling the desk...I am hardly ever at the desk.... except to chart.....sometimes.....

NsgChica · Jul 4, 2008

I can finally post....for a while I was having some problems...Ok to the point. I didn't read all of the posts only a few, however I did read the OP. It's funny because young people period get a bad rap in almost every profession. Young versus old work ethic...you all know the saying...When I was your age...we didn't do this or that...didn't have this or that....and my favorite... worked on the farm all day doing painstaking work, so you have it easy. I know the OP was just venting, however she brings up a valid point that extends beyond just nursing. It's the percieved differences between work ethics. Now, not all young workers take their job lightly. In fact, I believe most, especially nurses take their jobs very seriously. My experience: I work in a CVICU. I am still on orientation and have seen the most shocking behaviors from everyone. Yes even the experience nurses! There have been a couple of times that I have been slaving with two critically ill patients, while my preceptor was watching tv with her feet propped up in a chair and a blanket around her shoulder. Another new nurse told me she saw our fellow staff napping...NAPPING! She didn't say anything though, she didn't want to cause trouble. I didn't say anything because I didn't personally witness the event. I have seen older nurses carry around their gadgets (iphone, iphod, pda) and literally be engaged for at least an hour. I have seen dayshift nurses go into a room, even when occupied and use their cell phones because it's the only room where they were able to get perception. On the flip side I have seen student nurses use their phones, while in clinical. New, old...it doesn't matter. The concern is whether we respectfully confront the issues.

By the way...I told my manager about my preceptor problem...Nothing changed.