are you an old nurse?

I have become an “Old Nurse.” Yes it’s true, I am the oldest nurse on the night shift on my unit; by far. But is there such a thing as an “Old Nurse” in the way we do things? In our thinking about the job and about patients and coworkers? Yes, yes there is.

Old nurses would never call a doctor by his/her first name; and never make the mistake of calling a PA Doctor. An old nurse will get up and give his/her seat to a doctor at the nurses’ station. An old nurse is totally turned off by incompetence, by Resident Doctors wearing leggings, and by stupid questions.

Old nurses used paper charts and actually know how to read doctors’ handwriting. (some of us prefer paper charting) We did 24 hour chart checks and actually made sure orders were being followed.

We all carried keys (home in our pockets more times than we care to admit), and did medication counts at the end of every shift.

Old nurses did report at the desk and we did it quickly and efficiently. We would not have dreamed of involving the patient or family in our report. Why did we want their input?

We always knock on patients’ doors before entering; we leave patients’ things the way we found them when we leave; and we do not use pet names for our patients.

We dress professionally and a messy bun was a mistake, not a hairstyle. We know how to delegate and we expect other people to be working not goofing around when there is something to be done. We expect rules to be followed.

We have our routines of how we like to start a shift and how we expect it to progress from there. We are punctual and intense in our cares. We can educate as long as it doesn’t interfere with our patient care.

Being one of a dying breed has its challenges in today’s hospital cultures. Everything is computerized or comes through a cell phone. Face to face communication is a lost art. Old nurses think so many of the hoops we have to jump through now are just plain stupid.

BUT…if I take a chill pill and think about things, I admit that the younger generation of nurses is pretty cool. It doesn’t hurt anything to be more casual in the way a nurse is dressed or does her hair ( I actually like messy buns, I just can’t quite figure out how to do one). Computerized orders and charting are less time consuming and there are a million built in checks and balances. Being friendly with patients and other staff is a good thing and the youngsters are good at it.

The point is that we can all learn from each other. As long as a young nurse and an old nurse are each taking care of their patients, following orders, and being safe, none of the other stuff matters. There is no right or wrong with these sort of generational differences.

So when I bring treats to work (because I feed those I like) and when you call me Mom and roll your eyes at the way I do things, it will be us agreeing that we can all be nurses and do things differently and still be taking care of our patients to the best of our abilities; and all get along. Young or Old.