An Alabama healthcare worker blasts patients for not wanting young nurses “because they come to work looking presentable.” She states this perception is wrong. Additionally, new grad nurses will “ask fifteen different nurses if [what they’re doing is] okay.” Even if it’s putting a Band-Aid on a patient or flushing an IV.
The Alabama woman states that “new grad nurses are not some danger that ya’ll are feeling like they are.” And while people seem to think that older nurses have more experience, this doesn’t mean new nurses aren’t good workers. Furthermore, she says, “Age doesn’t necessarily equal compassion.” Part of what sparked this video is a discourse that occasionally gets started on TikTok over the idea “I don’t want a young nurse.” This implies one who wears Crocs, or has her nails painted, or her eyebrows done.
This discourse confuses her. The Alabama nurse asks, “When you go to work, do you look a mess?” She implies that patients tend to want nurses that look disorganized and exhausted. She states that if she has a nurse taking care of her or her spouse who “look[s] like she hadn’t slept 40 days or 40 nights, full stop.” The healthcare worker adds that nurses posting vlogs should be careful about stating how long they haven’t slept or how many energy drinks they’ve had. She requests, “Please stop saying that.” Her video has over 1.4 million views, over 308,000 likes, and over 1,500 comments.
Many Applaud Alabama Healthcare Worker
Many applaud the her comments, especially fellow healthcare workers. One new nurse argues that they care so much that it causes anxiety, which can be perceived as not knowing what they’re doing. Additionally, they argue, “We’re not stupid. We just care a lot.” A patient defends the young nurses who helped them after surgery: “They were sweet and compassionate. Made me feel like an actual person.”
Other nurses in the comments state that looking good makes them feel good. One states, “I worked too [expletive] hard to come into work looking like a bum.” Another argues, “Showing up for myself is how I show up for you!” Meanwhile, several in the comments are arguing that younger healthcare professionals have better bedside manners. One states, “Give me [a] young nurse, them old nurses sometimes be mean and rough.” Another agrees, “Naw, them old nurses sometimes be the rudest ones.”
Most of the Alabama woman’s videos focus on her life outside of being a healthcare professional. However, she does occassionally share her thoughts on her field.
