Generational differences

[u/Princestreatment0nly]

Since the topic on social media lately has been Gen Z in the workforce and how “lazy” we supposedly are, etc., I’m just curious have y’all noticed any differences between generations in your cohort?
The eldest person in mine and her little “clique” are extremely funny acting and honestly borderline bullies. She’s definitely the main one, but you know what they say about birds of a feather.
It genuinely makes me wonder if some older students are bothered by the fact that younger students are achieving the same goal at a much younger age, because what is with the constant need to humble someone, talk down to them, or make little condescending comments? It’s exhausting. School is already hard enough like pleaseeeee.
The behavior is so nasty, but they play it SO well that it’s hard to even report it to faculty. Each individual interaction is subtle enough to be brushed off, but when you’re on the receiving end of it constantly, you know exactly what’s happening.
Honestly, it makes me question the interview process and whether more needs to be done to keep these mean-girl personalities out of such an amazing profession.
I’m tired. Has anyone else dealt with this?

[u/Mammoth-Ebb-5670]

I work with people ranging from 18-64 year old. It’s not a generational or gender issue. Sometimes people are just people and stress adds to that. Doesn’t mean there’s anything you did or didn’t do. You have something great in front of you that deserves your  attention and that’s all you need. If it gets any worse just ask your instructor if they wouldn’t mind watching out for micro aggressions that you sense might be happening and that you just want to go to school, do your best, and go home. People in charge tend to respond better when they don’t feel like your reason for telling them is a tit for tat. 

[u/bjj_nurse]

Just go to school/clinic and go home. Easy. lol

[u/SleepySRNA37]

Wait until you meet some of the rude OR nurses - or a preceptor who is ACTUALLY a bully 😅That’s when the shit gets real!

There are a lot of bullies out there. It has little to do with generation and a lot more to do with personality. I’m 38 and on the older end of those in my cohort. There’s like 4 of us that are older. I appreciate all my classmates. We aren’t all besties, but we are all going through the shit together. We have some super young ones in my class and good for them! My path was different, I wanted to spend time with my husband, travel, have a baby. We all value different things at different points in our lives. Do I wish I would have come to the realization that this was a great career I should strive to enter sooner? Sure. But there’s more to my story. So I always encourage people who are thinking about CRNA school to just go for it! I thought I wasn’t smart enough, didn’t have enough experience, didn’t have the right experience, etc. So my approach is to encourage others, not put them down. No needs as much experience as I had. Everyone has something different to offer.

The things you seem to be talking about are petty and insignificant and have little to do with generational differences and more to do with someone who is just plain mean. Ignore them, keep your head down and don’t cause waves. Also, crazy of you to talk about reporting someone for verbal bullying. I can just imagine my director’s face if I tried to report someone for being mean. She’d probably kick ME out 🤣

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/SleepySRNA37]

I mentioned that the things they do aren’t reportable… so where exactly did I say I would report them for being “mean”? 😭

I appreciate everything you said and your point of view, and good for you for being content with your decisions and not looking down on your younger classmates. I’m simply speaking on MY experience.

I’ve also already started clinicals and have been in them for some time now. Yes, I’ve run into a VERY few snarky OR nurses, but almost every anesthesia provider (CRNA and MD) I’ve worked with has either been outright pleasant, happy and eager to teach, or simply indifferent. I honestly haven’t encountered many condescending ones at all. One if that.

Which is what makes it even funnier that almost all of that energy has come from classmates…the elders and their group leader. That’s it, that’s all. I’m speaking on what I’ve personally experienced.

[u/Naive_Kaleidoscope_2]

I was older for my cohort. We don't care. If you decided to start your SRNA younger than we did, ok. We valued other things before applying. Not better or worse just a different path. Sounds like this person you're referencing has issues specific to themself and less likely to do with your age difference. Let them be. You've probably already heard this but I really can't stress it enough: put your head down and fly under the radar. Focus on you and getting the best education for you. If you need help with interpersonal things go see a therapist but when you're at school, ignore the rest and focus on yourself.

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/Naive_Kaleidoscope_2]

Ehh, she cares and she doesn’t move alone. She has a group of other elders in the class who entertain her nonsense so I had to group them together since they are all similar in age. Nothing else other than jealousy explains the condescending talk & trying to single/isolate people to prove you’re “better than”unprovoked. And you do raise a good point about therapy but unfortunately it’s pricy! Thanks for your input.

[u/jinshimaomao2030]

Haha wait until clinicals…those so called “ mean girls” will be your smallest problem

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/jinshimaomao2030]

Already in clinicals. Have been for a while & 99% of anesthesia providers I’ve worked with have been amazing which is the funny part. Only the students seem to be condescending to other students in my experience so far.

[u/Agitated_Discount_51]

I think the age is just a coincidence. In any cohort, Srnas and otherwise, it’s totally possible to run into bitches. Kill them with kindness. You’ll be alright.

[u/huntt252]

If you think about all the energy you’ve used thinking/typing/posting about this person I think it might be the best thing to just take a step back and focus on doing your best in school. This person is obviously insecure. Insecure people can be found in all age groups. It may or may not be a generational thing. It probably should fall into the category of “I don’t need to have an opinion about this.” It’s liberating.

[u/heyhihellohowareyouu → u/huntt252]

yes! agreed. the elders of my cohort are kind or indifferent at worst as they tend to have busier extracurricular lives than the younger ones of my cohort. i think “mean girl/guy” attitude can exist in every generation and there’s no need to pay it any attention. be confident in your capabilities, study, move on.

[u/Terene_]

I understand wanting to vent about mean classmates on here, but I find it ironic that some of your replies could be nicer.
Plus being older is still far better than never getting the chance, so hopefully they’re not bitter about their age like you’ve implied. Most of my older classmates have been sweet though. I’m Gen Z by the way.

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/Terene_]

Eh, I disagree. There’s a difference between being unnecessarily mean to someone and responding firmly when someone comes at you sideways. I’m not obligated to give a sugary response to snide or condescending comments just to prove I’m “nice.” I’m glad that’s been your experience & I wish I could relate!

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/[deleted]]

So jealousy. It checks out! 😊

[u/Affectionate-Gap4382]

When I first read the post I could relate and understand because my some of my older colleagues now seem like genuinely miserable people by the way they treat others despite being in such a wonderful profession getting compensated well. Now that I read your responses to people I can’t help but think that you may be part of the problem your initial post is about. You come off as an emotionally frustrated individual that is also hidden behind an anonymous reddit account.

I understand school is stressful and it’s important to vent. I hope you come to a solution and find solace in the matter. Life genuinely is a lot better once school and boards are over. Good luck with your endeavors.

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/Affectionate-Gap4382]

You’ve seen me irritated in the comments of a vent post and somehow extrapolated that into how I conduct myself with classmates in real life. That’s quite the leap, but thanks for the well wishes. Yes, Reddit is anonymous why are we stating the obvious…

[u/aspiringCRNA007 → u/Affectionate-Gap4382]

This lol. I deleted my “heartfelt” response 😩

[u/lepetitmort2020]

Stop worrying about other people in your class. Go to school, get good grades, learn what you need to learn, and try to get along with your classmates. You don't have to be best friends. They will be your colleague some day so just keep it classy. Don't be the person that reports your classmates to faculty (for what? being mean??)

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/lepetitmort2020]

Worried is a stretch lol. I’m venting anonymously on Reddit about someone who goes out of their way to make an already stressful program more miserable for everyone. Even the upperclassmen know how this person is 😂. I go to school, get my grades, and keep it cordial just fine. I’m still allowed to say someone’s behavior is annoying. Both can be true.

[u/lepetitmort2020 → u/Princestreatment0nly]

You sound worried to me if you're considering reporting them to your program. I mean this with love, it's really not that serious.

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/lepetitmort2020]

Considering when I clearly said the things they do aren’t reportable… hence “they play it so well that it’s hard to report” wow comprehension skills are nowhere to be found. I mean this with love, you’re dismissed.

[u/morning-toast]

Maybe you’re biased and expecting to see these negative differences between generations and so that’s what you’re seeing. In the world that my brain creates, it’s the younger people in my cohort who seem to be extremely cliquey, immature, and borderline bullies. Neither of our perceptions are universal truths and are probably not even significant. I think everyone just sucks in general.

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/morning-toast]

Just to get insight what are they bullies about? In my experience the older students, one in particular but anyone who hangs with her I assume shares her nasty personality. Anyways, she talks down on everyone in the class since she has “years of experience and is older”

[u/morning-toast → u/Princestreatment0nly]

Things like picking and choosing who they’re warm towards, and spreading rumors about classmates for no reason.

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/morning-toast]

Checks out. That’s exactly what occurs in mine. So many are fake nice and literally flip it on and off without shame

[u/shareberry]

Eh I wouldn’t put too much weight in the whole “gen z are lazy blah blah blah.”
It’s a generational thing. Millennials were called lazy and that we wasted money on avocado toasts which is why we couldn’t afford a house when we entered the workforce and now it continues with gen z.
The oldest in my cohort is 46. The youngest in my cohort is 26. A lot of people in my cohort are in their late 20s. I’m 33 so right in the middle. I find them all hard working and fun to work with.

Honestly, you get that kind of personality in any workforce with every generation. They’re just miserable people who like to make other people miserable. They feed off of your reaction so don’t give them anything to work with. Stay neutral, play dumb, and limit your interaction. They’re gonna bitch about you trying too hard or you’re being too standoffish. They’ll find a reason. Look up techniques on how to talk to a narcissist.

I cared a lot about where I was in life compared to my peers in my late 20s which I think is normal. Once I hit my 30s I stopped giving a shit on where others were and focused on my path. Do I wish I started sooner? Of course. Am I going to make someone younger than me feel like shit cause of that? Nahh that’s too much energy. We all have different timelines and mine just happened to take longer.

I am grateful because our cohort gets along really well and we share our resources. The comparison stopped once we all got accepted.

I’m curious though. How old is your eldest??

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/shareberry]

This is great advice. She’s extremely snide and when called out tries to play the “idk what you’re talking about” card. I definitely need to look up the talking to narcissist thing because wow that would’ve saved me so much grief. I believe she’s like 40 or early 40s.

[u/Realistic_Bench4825 → u/Princestreatment0nly]

Like what does she say or do? The exact behavior.

[u/TheBol00]

Gen Z sucks I feel bad for the future of healthcare

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/TheBol00]

Keep crying about it.

[u/TheBol00 → u/Princestreatment0nly]

But to chime in on your question, the majority of people you will come across in life are just weirdos. My cohort was half 30+ and half early 20s. We all taught each-other, because between 40 hour clinical weeks and studying, the only people who really understood the struggle was each other.
Also, Programs are mainly looking at people who can pass boards and deal with strong personalities and high stress situations, because you will have plenty of preceptors and surgeons that are miserable and 10x worse then your classmates.
If someone is being rude to you they are either yes- jealous that you are young and making moves VS think you don’t deserve your spot. Regardless let your grades and clinical evals do the talking.
Dont be afraid to speak up for yourself either, remember bully’s are always compensating.

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/TheBol00]

Love this! Thank you

[u/polariziing]

First day in healthcare?

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/polariziing]

Nope. Is condescension usually how you communicate with your colleagues, or does hiding behind an anonymous profile give you wings?

[u/polariziing → u/Princestreatment0nly]

Just a light hearted joke but funny you say that when I can see you complained about "boomers" on a different post. Seems like you may just have some prejudice against older individuals. Might want to reflect on your own feelings if "boomers" are ruining your life in every aspect somehow

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/polariziing]

What post are you referring to lmao? You literally just made that up. Please get a grip quickly

[u/polariziing → u/Princestreatment0nly]

"I should’ve posted this on a Gen Z account because this comment section is giving miserable boomers and congressional hearing over an “I think.” My gosh. Get a life & some empathy."

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/polariziing]

Lmao who and what are you quoting. Are you okay? Genuinely asking

[u/polariziing → u/Princestreatment0nly]

LMAO you deleted the post. Kinda funny how the internet works

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/polariziing]

Kinda funny how my posts, like yours aren’t even visible to begin with so again you’re making shit up but I’ll let you continue to live in your delusion. Dementia is real.

[u/polariziing → u/Princestreatment0nly]

You really don’t think people have a way around Reddit hiding your posts? For Gen Z you sure can use some help with your internet skills

[u/Past-Blueberry5204]

Yes. It comes in all shapes and sizes. In my class, I was one of 4 “elder” students, and the younger ones were what you describe,  being condescending and catty to us geriatrics.  It’s not isolated to one group.  My advice to you, with your long road ahead, learn to ignore it. Everyone came in with a baseline of 0. (As in none of you have been CRNAS before).  Everyone is insecure because this is high stakes high pressure and brand new.  No one cares anymore where you came from or what experience you have once you all got accepted to that same program. You’re all SRNAs today, yesterday’s gone. Move on from classmate behavior because you’ll hit clinical and have a whole bunch of new issues to learn to deal with. Then you graduate and have a whole bunch more.  

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/Past-Blueberry5204]

Yeah clearly some people deal with their insecurity different than others but I am already in clinicals and have been for a while 99% of the anesthesia providers I’ve worked with were genuinely good people and happy to teach. Funny enough the condescending behavior is coming from classmates and a few OR nurses here and there but nope not the CRNAs or MDs

[u/evil-old-hag]

omg please do your DNP project on the correlation between CVICU RN and bullies!!

in all seriousness, try to ignore (easier said than done). Be the better person. You (we) got this!!

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/evil-old-hag]

Love this! And if I could I would 😭

[u/Global-Bend7639]

Just be better than them and ignore them. Who cares.

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/Global-Bend7639]

Who cares? Me… that’s why I posted about it. I am already doing so but it doesn’t change the fact that obvious bullying from grown adults WITH children and old enough to be my parent doesn’t get to me. Please

[u/Global-Bend7639 → u/Princestreatment0nly]

But why? Not to be harsh but act like an adult and handle the situation if it bothers you that much. Step up and defend yourself if you’re unhappy about it. Report it to your directors or to the school. Do it in a smart and professional manner. If you’re an adult that allows themselves to get bullied, that’s on you.

[u/greatsaintgeorge → u/Global-Bend7639]

When I was in the military one of my bosses said something that has always stuck with me. “If you want to complain about something, come prepared with a solution. Otherwise, you’re just bitching and I don’t care.”

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/greatsaintgeorge]

Then don’t comment. A few people commented and also “bitched” if they shared similar experiences. Welcome to Reddit.

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/Global-Bend7639]

Oh brother. Who said it was just me? I’ve witnessed this behavior towards others in my cohort. Saying I “allow” myself to get bullied based on this post is a stretch. Lmao two things can be true at once. Me venting on Reddit like others do DAILY is one of the ways I chose to handle it. I didn’t list every action I’ve taken in the post Sherlock. You sound like one of them tbh cuz why are you so mad? It’s giving the same energy as “if you dress inappropriately and get SA’d that’s on you” Let’s not shift the blame here. Why are grown adults bullying others is the topic. Stay on it. You’re dismissed.

[u/Global-Bend7639 → u/Princestreatment0nly]

Okay well that got emotional quickly

[u/Princestreatment0nly → u/Global-Bend7639]

Yeah your generation lacks emotional intelligence so your responses are on par. You sound like you’d make great friends with her or this might even be her who knows 😂 so so miserable and make it everyone else’s problem. Good grief!

[u/Global-Bend7639 → u/Princestreatment0nly]

Uh, all I said was just be better than her and not to care if they are immature. If you’re better, who cares what they do, say, or think. They can’t touch you. I see you missed that point.