[sarahrain]

Yes. It is true. But it is very much depends on the organisational culture. I am working in ICU and my colleagues are quite helpful. But I think the leader of the ward is very much influential to the way the seniors treated the junior. I have a very charismatic Sister leading the ICU and that really made a different. However, there is still some try to curse you if they can't eat you.

[Miami NightNurse]

I am guilty of having bitten a few heads off. I really try not too, especially to new nurses. But there are a few things that make me bite. If you are giving me report on a patient that just had a cardiac cath a few hours ago-please be able to tell me not only which groin they punctured but what it looks like. It irritates me if you never looked at this patient's groin. As you are supposed to be checking whether that patient is bleeding or developing a hematoma. It irritates me that the patient had open heart surgery yesterday and you can't tell me whether their incisions are OTA( Open to air) or if they have a dressing. It also irritates me when a new nurse has a smart ---- attitude, that they know it all. But all in all I really try to be nice and supportive. Because we need to help and support our new nurses!!! But I can not deal with a I don't give a rat's behind attitude or laziness. And unfortuanately you get alot of that from people who only became nurses for the money!!!!
P.S> But I do Not eat my young!!!!!

[Nurse_Newbie]

Originally Posted by Miami NightNurse

If you are giving me report on a patient that just had a cardiac cath a few hours ago-please be able to tell me not only which groin they punctured but what it looks like. It irritates me if you never looked at this patient's groin. As you are supposed to be checking whether that patient is bleeding or developing a hematoma. It irritates me that the patient had open heart surgery yesterday and you can't tell me whether their incisions are OTA( Open to air) or if they have a dressing. It also irritates me when a new nurse has a smart ---- attitude, that they know it all. But all in all I really try to be nice and supportive. Because we need to help and support our new nurses!!! But I can not deal with a I don't give a rat's behind attitude or laziness. And unfortuanately you get alot of that from people who only became nurses for the money!!!!

I totally agree!!! and the pedal pulses that are usually marked anyway.

[nurturer]

I am a joyful person...smile a lot, positive attitude....but
I am also a slow learner. Once I do pick it up, I'm good to go though. Is this combination going to increase my liklihood of getting eaten?

Even outside of nursing I often feel like people can't stand to see someone who is actually happy on a regular basis!

[Katie91]

Hi Nurturer,

I know a bunch of people who will be really glad to see a happy nurse ~ your patients! That's really what it's all about.

As far as being a slow learner, we all learn at different paces. Please don't let the fact that you learn this way discourage you or feel you will be "eaten" because of it. I would highly suggest that you tell your preceptor/mentor up front about your learning style. This will give her/him an idea of the speed of the pace in which she/he must be to be an effective teacher. This is sort of a CYA thing too, as all to often when we start new jobs, we have a day or two of orientation, then poof! we're on our own. If you're open and honest about your learning curves, you really can't be held completely accountable.

You may even want to take it to the extent of drawing up a mini contract for yourself and your mentor to sign with a witness present for signing as well. I am not kidding, wish I were but nurses are continually faced with potentially litigious dilemas.

So don't be afraid to ask those questions ~ the only dumb question is the one not asked!!

[Knoodsen]

If there is no truth to it, then why does the expression exist?

[Miami NightNurse]

Originally Posted by Knoodsen

If there is no truth to it, then why does the expression exist?

Because it's not so much that they eat their young. It's just that you get a bunch of stressed out woman together and there will be bickering-doesn't much matter whether it's their young or not. The male nurses don't play that game.

[nanacarol]

Miaminightnurse, Men in nursing are just as catty as the women and prove themselves as less thancollaborative and helpful. Those who come to nursing for the money are usually not suited for the servant relationship that nursing requires. You and I are not responsible for the attitudes others bring to the table, when we find it gets in the way of our ability to mentor and hand-off communication we need to check our ego. We can come to a place where we are toxic and need to be in control and so a review of our motives is important. We, as nurses are to mentor those with less experience in the work environment, we are to focus on what will benefit the patient, it is not about what is in it for us as individuals. Nanacarol

[Woodenpug]

Originally Posted by Knoodsen

If there is no truth to it, then why does the expression exist?

So true. When was the last time you someone say "he is all widdershins?" Likely, not recently, cause today it has no meaning.

[Miami NightNurse]

Originally Posted by nanacarol

Miaminightnurse, Men in nursing are just as catty as the women and prove themselves as less thancollaborative and helpful. Those who come to nursing for the money are usually not suited for the servant relationship that nursing requires. You and I are not responsible for the attitudes others bring to the table, when we find it gets in the way of our ability to mentor and hand-off communication we need to check our ego. We can come to a place where we are toxic and need to be in control and so a review of our motives is important. We, as nurses are to mentor those with less experience in the work environment, we are to focus on what will benefit the patient, it is not about what is in it for us as individuals. Nanacarol

I've never seen a male nurse act that way, but I am sure there are ones that do