Most of the nurses in the unit had been trained by the same Generation X nurse, an acknowledged informal leader who was by her own description “just not a morning person” even though she filled a coveted position on days. Her surly demeanor set the mood during shift hand-off. Coworkers just tiptoed around her for the first 2 hours. She was also the instructor for the fetal monitoring program and considered the expert on the computerized labor documentation system. Consistent with other Generation Xers, she was independent and believed in autonomous decision making for patient care. The physicians preferred her to all the other nurses. She valuedteamwork but insisted on choosing her own team. During my tenure as manager, I was never able to understand what I needed to do to “earn her respect.” Directed by my immediate supervisor to discuss her unacceptable patterns of behavior resulted in accusations that she was being bullied and verbally harassed. I was sent to leadership class to improve my communication skills. When three new graduate nurses were scheduled for orientation with other nurses (Baby Boomers), it was perceived as retaliation but my rationale was valid. Unlike most of their coworkers, these nurses remained at the bedside of the laboring woman, providing education and support to the entire family. When patient assignments were being made, they requested the woman with a birth plan who hoped for a natural birth experience. They taught childbirth classes on their day off and volunteered for committees and special projects. They worked extra shifts to cover unit needs and supported me in my role as unit manager. They “got” birth.
Working with these new graduates was positive for both the experts and the novices. They learned from each other. Although inexperienced in maternity services, they were enthusiastic and confident about becoming labor nurses. Like sponges, they pulled in information from everyone around them. They helped each other and anyone else who needed assistance. I began to believe that this generation could, in fact, change and reclaim the culture of birth. Their Generation X counterparts remained tethered to the central monitor and continued to get an adrenalin rush from every emergency cesarean surgery, but their influence was limited. Given the opportunity to choose between tradition and technology, Generation X chose technology but Generation Y on this unit chose tradition.
Most of the nurses in the unit had been trained by the same Generation X nurse, an acknowledged informal leader who was by her own description “just not a morning person” even though she filled a coveted position on days. Her surly demeanor set the mood during shift hand-off. Coworkers just tiptoed around her for the first 2 hours. She was also the instructor for the fetal monitoring program and considered the expert on the computerized labor documentation system. Consistent with other Generation Xers, she was independent and believed in autonomous decision making for patient care. The physicians preferred her to all the other nurses. She valuedteamwork but insisted on choosing her own team. During my tenure as manager, I was never able to understand what I needed to do to “earn her respect.” Directed by my immediate supervisor to discuss her unacceptable patterns of behavior resulted in accusations that she was being bullied and verbally harassed. I was sent to leadership class to improve my communication skills. When three new graduate nurses were scheduled for orientation with other nurses (Baby Boomers), it was perceived as retaliation but my rationale was valid. Unlike most of their coworkers, these nurses remained at the bedside of the laboring woman, providing education and support to the entire family. When patient assignments were being made, they requested the woman with a birth plan who hoped for a natural birth experience. They taught childbirth classes on their day off and volunteered for committees and special projects. They worked extra shifts to cover unit needs and supported me in my role as unit manager. They “got” birth.Working with these new graduates was positive for both the experts and the novices. They learned from each other. Although inexperienced in maternity services, they were enthusiastic and confident about becoming labor nurses. Like sponges, they pulled in information from everyone around them. They helped each other and anyone else who needed assistance. I began to believe that this generation could, in fact, change and reclaim the culture of birth. Their Generation X counterparts remained tethered to the central monitor and continued to get an adrenalin rush from every emergency cesarean surgery, but their influence was limited. Given the opportunity to choose between tradition and technology, Generation X chose technology but Generation Y on this unit chose tradition.
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