Young nurse problems?

ChristineN, BSN, RN · May 13, 2014

I have been an RN since I was 20, and for years would often be the youngest RN on my unit. However, I never had a problem with a lack of respect from coworkers because I always act and carry myself at work in a way that encourages respect. I have a strong work ethic, have always been eager to help others, and eager to keep learning. Even soon after coming off of orientation my coworkers treated me like a colleague and not a child

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · May 13, 2014

Sometimes units are overwhelming for everyone. Sometimes still RN's will remind LPN's what they are to do AKA: Delegating. It is probably part of their "checklist" that they need to ask if things have been done, did you do them, will you do them. Every day I would be asked if I completed a simple task that was part of my job. Yes, and every day I had completed it. Come to find out, the RN's were supposed to ask, and verify that they asked.

It is more than likely not a thing to do with your age, but everything to do with being delegated, and the RN has to verify that they are sure you did what you are supposed to.

There are more than a number of nurses who do not do as they are supposed to, need to be reminded, and RN's who are "sure" that LPN Such and So SURELY did what they are supposed to, and nope....not done. With all of the rules, regulations, requirements, everyone needs to be 100% sure that things are done when they are supposed to be. Thankfully, you are the nurse that can say, yes, did it, yes, mindful of it, yes, I will complete it--and mean it. That's awesome, and good on you. Otherwise, personlizing this is not in your own best interest.

tiffnurse21 · May 14, 2014

I feel like I carry myself well, if anything I've tried my best to do my job correctly just to prove that age has nothing to do with my work ethic, I've never been late, called out once for a snow day. All of the RN's I work with are over 50 and always say they have experience which I understand and look up to because I like learning. I just get frustrated with the repeated questions like I lack knowledge. But thanks for your reply.

tiffnurse21 · May 14, 2014

I agree. At the end of the day I can eave knowing that I did all the work that I needed to do. And it was done at the best of my abilities.

NOADLS · May 14, 2014

It is a lot worse when you have to deal with a CNA that has "been a CNA longer than you've been alive" and "knows everything."

tiffnurse21 · May 14, 2014

It is a lot worse when you have to deal with a CNA that has "been a CNA longer than you've been alive" and "knows everything."

Very true, I work with CNA's that have children my age or can be my grandmother literally. But I try learning from everyone.

TriciaJ, RN · May 14, 2014

When you're young or new, it's easy to feel like you're being constantly second-guessed, because a lot of the time, you are. And it gets really annoying. But the ones who have to delegate are still responsible for how the whole job gets done, and they have to reassure themselves. Try not to think of it as second-guessing, but communicating. When someone asks you if you've done something, you answer cheerfully "Yup. Covered."

Deaths are loaded situations, even when expected. Someone may come out of the woodwork and try to make a case that you didn't do all you should. Your DON may have experienced this at some time. Your facility is accountable to many entities and your DON was probably just reassuring herself that everything was handled properly. Don't take that personally, either. Just give her the assurance she is looking for.

When people know they can ask you questions and communicate with you without you getting put off, they will start to relax around you and appreciate you more than you know.

wooh, BSN, RN · May 15, 2014

I doubt it's because you're young, but rather because you're new (and just over a year is still "new.") Even when I'm not in charge, I check in with the newer nurses. (There's lots of them since I work nights.) If there was a death, or other "not so often" event with one of MY patients, I'd love for someone to call and run through a checklist to make sure that *I* did everything. Just because when you have something like a death, there's 50 things that need to all be done and it's easy for ANYONE to forget something.

Think about it this way, how many posts do you see here complaining that the experienced nurses are hanging the new people out to dry? But here you feel they're watching too closely. It's a tough balance to meet. Someday you'll be one of the most experienced on the floor and trying to reach that balance and see how hard it is. Eventually the people around will realize that they don't have to do as much follow up with you. Until then, see it as concern for making sure the job gets done rather than as an insult.

tiffnurse21 · May 15, 2014

I doubt it's because you're young, but rather because you're new (and just over a year is still "new.") Even when I'm not in charge, I check in with the newer nurses. (There's lots of them since I work nights.) If there was a death, or other "not so often" event with one of MY patients, I'd love for someone to call and run through a checklist to make sure that *I* did everything. Just because when you have something like a death, there's 50 things that need to all be done and it's easy for ANYONE to forget something.
Think about it this way, how many posts do you see here complaining that the experienced nurses are hanging the new people out to dry? But here you feel they're watching too closely. It's a tough balance to meet. Someday you'll be one of the most experienced on the floor and trying to reach that balance and see how hard it is. Eventually the people around will realize that they don't have to do as much follow up with you. Until then, see it as concern for making sure the job gets done rather than as an insult.

I will definitely try looking at the situation in that perspective. Like you said I'll probably be on the other side some day. I'll just look at it in the light.

tiffnurse21 · May 15, 2014

When you're young or new, it's easy to feel like you're being constantly second-guessed, because a lot of the time, you are. And it gets really annoying. But the ones who have to delegate are still responsible for how the whole job gets done, and they have to reassure themselves. Try not to think of it as second-guessing, but communicating. When someone asks you if you've done something, you answer cheerfully "Yup. Covered."
Deaths are loaded situations, even when expected. Someone may come out of the woodwork and try to make a case that you didn't do all you should. Your DON may have experienced this at some time. Your facility is accountable to many entities and your DON was probably just reassuring herself that everything was handled properly. Don't take that personally, either. Just give her the assurance she is looking for.
When people know they can ask you questions and communicate with you without you getting put off, they will start to relax around you and appreciate you more than you know.

After the death, after my DON called she was like did you do this this this. I was like yes, yes, yes. All my tasks were complete. I received a thank you so I guess that's a slight appreciation. But thanks for your comment I will definitely take what you said into consideration.

systoly · May 15, 2014

i'm more than twice your age and i still get the, "be sure and do xyc"

whenever I get a new supervisor or DON

i chalk it up to years of working with people who have to be told everything

(and you'd be surprised at how many of them there are) or maybe it makes

them feel important

at any rate, just say,"you got it", or "no problem"

done deal and everyone is happy

keep doing what you're doing and eventually they'll recognice

your work ethics