Published Feb 19, 2006
jennyga
50 Posts
I just wanted to know, how does everyone feel about young (at age) nurses and your experience with one? Please no bashing, just your honest opinion.
mobileRN
35 Posts
I'm really happy to see and work with young nurses. Yes it does take extra time and some patience but I look at it as an opportunity to help them become a good RN. Most of the ones I have worked with are enthusiastic and interested in learning.
TexasPediRN
898 Posts
As a young nurse myself, 22 (23 in april), I love working with young, new nurses!
I do private duty and we orient all nurses to a new patient, and I find that its easier for me to orient a younger nurse then an older one.
Sometimes, a lot of the younger nurses dont know certain things, and then its my job to teach them. For instance, mostly all our pts have trachs, and most young nurses dont know how you determine how far down to suction (deep suctioning is a no-no). So certain things like that, I can teach and it does take patience. Theres a huge difference between them doing trach care in school, and trach care on a real patient. It takes time and encouragement, but I try to give the best orientation possible. I know where they are coming from, as I recently graduated myself, so I try and do my best to make sure they are comfortable with the patient. Most of my younger nurses that I orient tell me that I give the best orientations :)
Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN
12,126 Posts
Age doesn't matter to me. Maturity and competency does.
SmilingBluEyes
20,964 Posts
thank you. And OH LAWD Please don't let this turning into a young versus old thing. WE have been there, done that.
unknown99, BSN, RN
933 Posts
I work with nurses young enough to be my daughter, and also some old enough to be my mother. Age makes no difference--- as long as that nurse is competent.
ShawnetteRN05
48 Posts
:yeahthat:
I am a young nurse myself (24 y/o). In my limited experience on the floor that I work on; age has not been a factor-skill and competency and the ability to work well with others AS A TEAM is more of a priority
Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN
721 Posts
professionally, it makes no difference.
I was precepted by a nurse who was in her mid 20's, but had been on the Unit since she was a nurse extern/student right after high school. She's earned the respect of her peers, and any patient put off by her youth and beauty learns quickly that she's the one you want when the you-know-what hits the fan!
Good luck in nursing school, OP!
Blee