Nurse's getting younger

4 Wow.....I just spent some time in the hospital lately and I realized that mostly all of the nurse's are younger. Not an older, seasoned nurse in the bunch ! I am an "old school" nurse, been around a while, and It made me very sad that the younger ones don't have an older co-worker to learn from.

Personally, I like having an older, more experienced nurse helping me....they know so much.

What's your take on nursing these days ?

Praiser
Quote from PraiserWow.....I just spent some time in the hospital lately and I realized that mostly all of the nurse's are younger. Not an older, seasoned nurse in the bunch ! I am an "old school" nurse, been around a while, and It made me very sad that the younger ones don't have an older co-worker to learn from. Personally, I like having an older, more experienced nurse helping me....they know so much.What's your take on nursing these days ?Praiser

I'm 23 and the youngest person on my floor, whether it be the ICU or the floor across the hall. I was the third youngest in my nursing class, with almost everyone being late 20's to mid 40's. I find that I learn the most from the nurses in their 30's. They are still young enough to relate to me but have been a nurse long enough to teach me a few tricks.

I became a nurse at 20 and I always valued some of the more experience nurses. However, experienced don't always equal competent. I have worked with a few nurses that were more experienced but no one I would look up to.

Uhm maybe because the nursing program is not as popular back then.

Maybe the nurses aren't younger, maybe you are just older. Don't mean to be snarky, but I'm sure when you started, an older nurse said the same exact thing about you. Also, you seem to equate ability with age. Not even age, but the appearance of age!

My floor has a nice balance. We are about half 20 to 30 year olds, and half 40-50 year olds, with just a few in between. I'm the youngest on staff, and one of the newest hires. Many of our "older" nurses have been working in PICU for years and have so much knowledge. But, as a younger nurse, I know more about the new technology, how to run the equipment, and some of the newer standards of practice. I think our patients learn very quickly that all their nurses are competant, regardless of their age. Young people aren't the only ones returning to nursing school. In my graduating class (May 2011) of about 35, about 10 were non-traditional students in their 30's-50's. So an older nurse can actually be less experienced that a younger nurse. You can't judge a nurse by his/her age.

Bedside nursing is very physically demanding/draining. After I do a complete weekend, I'm spent, and glad I have two days off before heading into the school for that job. This crusty old bat is happy to leave the bedside!ps. Meriwhen is spot on with her comments

Quote from thinkertdmMaybe the nurses aren't younger, maybe you are just older. Don't mean to be snarky, but I'm sure when you started, an older nurse said the same exact thing about you. Also, you seem to equate ability with age. Not even age, but the appearance of age!

Nurses are getting younger cause you're getting older

What makes you think that us "younger nurses" need to learn something?? I'm not saying we know EVERYTHING. but honestly, some of the younger nurses are just as good as the old seasoned nurses. And if anything....a lot of the seasoned nurses can learn a thing or two from the younger nurses (i.e. how to turn on a computer...).Not trying to start anything here, but im just trying to make a point that "young nurses" are NOT the only ones who need to learn things.I got hired with a nurse who is, i'd guess 36-40, somewhere in there. she has been a nurse for 6 years. i was a new grad. she had NO CLUE what she was doing, and still doesn't. i get report from her, and i cringe because i know im going to find things wrong and i always do. So age doesn't always mean experience or expertise in the fieldim 23 years old, Youngest RN on my floor,and i think im a good nurse. Do i have thing to learn? Yup. But does my colleague who is in her mid 40's or 50's still have things to learn? Yup!

Quote from SuesquatchRNNah, there's just an age where everyone looks too young to be allowed to do what they're doing. I'm at it.

I understand where the OP was coming from but I also understand why her comments could be taken...wrong. I have been a nurse for 4 years, that makes me young in nurse years but I come with other experience that is useful to me. I have older nurses to look up to and greatly appreciate them but I am the one people come to for relief charge, computer training, new policies making etc...Some of the older nurses I know do nothing but sit their bottoms all day/night while we run around doing their jobs. Some of the younger ones do stupid stuff like call the doctor all night and give water to NPO patients. Age does not make a better nurse, it is all about who the person is that is your nurse.