Published
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 :)
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
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.