**nurses Who Eat Their Young Should Be Kicked To The Curb***

Nurses General Nursing

Published

We are in the realm of evidence based practice where nursing "traditions' have little value. This should translate over to the tradition of nurses who eat their young. We've all met them..usually middle aged with no significant other who pride themselves in being tough. Their attitudes are reflected in their slovenly appearances and of course they are great hands on nurses since they have little else in their worlds.

NP programs are no different. I've had clinical experiences with physicians and NP's alike and the physicians are professional, curteous and will correct me without the underlying insult. Most of the NP's have been rude or have ignored me and one went off on me. I threatened to sue the school if they didn't change my preceptor and they changed my assignment that day.

Those nurses (and NP's) are the reason that half the world doesn't view nurses as professionals. MBA's do not belittle students, interns or new employees. Neither do engineers or any other professionals. Many bright nurses have left the field because of these low lifes.

We should all make a concerted effort to stop this behavior in ourselves and other nurses. If they are rude or belittling, they should be told that if they want to be considered a professional...then act, dress and behave like one. If they don't listen, then administrators should be told and if necessary, they should be let go since they are making a mockery of the profession.

If you are young and starting out and your preceptor is a schmuck to you, then tell her to start looking and acting like a professional, report her to your supervisor or administration. Don't be intimidated and don't take it. It's time these "tough cookies" were kicked to the curb where they belong.

In today's world of evidence based practice...this has got to go.

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
no intentions of offering a solution

denying it certainly doesn't solve the problem

Insisting on repeating the poor excuse/stereotype only reinforces it, and does nothing to help the actual problem.:nono:

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.

I don't give a flying **** about nursing traditions, and how it used to be. We have evolved, in Canada every nurse that graduates has a four Year Degree. It makes me so angry when I see how badly nurses treat each other. Its just not right, we are professionals, we work hard, and we deserve better.

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Just wanted to let you know that there are still diploma (RN) programs in Canada. I teach at a Community College in Manitoba that offers an "Accelerated Diploma" as well as a degree (BN) jointly with the University of Manitoba. So there are still new grads without a four year degree in Canada.

Brenda

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Insisting on repeating the poor excuse/stereotype only reinforces it, and does nothing to help the actual problem.:nono:

oh, so now you admit there is a problem?

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There are jerks in the world, and statistically speaking, you're going to cross paths with them x percentage of the time. It's one of life's variables that can't really be controlled.

Well, yeah it can, by careful choice of unit based on unit culture. Every unit has a distinct culture. Some are "I got mine" and some are very nurturing.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
oh, so now you admit there is a problem?

Uh, where did i deny there was a problem?:nono:

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maybe by post #31?

and what's with the finger wagging, do you do that to people when you talk with them in person too?

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Specializes in Lie detection.
Seems to me, you will come from a point of weakness. It would probably serve you better to take my earlier (and others' too) suggestions to become more assertive and positive and less "I am running to my lawyer'ish". In the long run, you would do better in nursing, and in life, if you learned how to deal with bullies yourself. They are everywhere. Not just in nursing school/nursing. Learn now or you will keep having trouble, everywhere you go.

Best wishes.

Again I agree with you and am disappointed that the ones yelling about being eaten are not addressing your posts.

Why on earth can't people just stick up for themselves? Don't be a victim for goodnes sakes!

It doesn't matter where you are in life, if you present yourself as confident and self-assured, you will not be bullied. If anyone tries, STAND UP for yourself. They will back down! Did anyone claiming to be eaten even look at the links posted by SmilingBluEyes?

Educate yourself about bully behavior. 'Nuff said.

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To SuzieSunshine, how professional are you? Are you one of these new RNs who think thy know everything and do not? Why do these young nurses feel it is okay to go to work with tattoos, piercings and show us their crack and think they are professional. Suzie, I will tell you that where I work, most of us are 45+, we are in better shape than you and look a lot better and more professional than you. You see, we have the time and the $$. We do take care of ourselves and exercise a lot. Loans are paid off, kids are almost raised and we make more than you because we know more than you. Oh, and Susie, not all new RNs make it and yes, we do NOT think you are more important than anyone else, ourselves included. Grow up and be grateful all those "old" nurses are there to answer your questions, which we do answer even if we do not want to. Say thanks. P.S., I know many middle aged RNs who I would bet are better looking and in better shape than most of your age-based peers. Why don't you quit being so self-absorbed and try to learn from those more knowledgeable than you.

The poster is not young, she stated she was middle age and what is with the horrific comments about...."we are in better shape than you, look alot better, more professional than you"...what is this all about??

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I think that the issue here should not be who's right and who's wrong, who eats who, etc. The issue is obviously that there is a LOT of emotion here, and it seems to stem from newbies (not just young newbies) getting "hazed" by more experienced nurses, and the lack of solidarity and teamwork in general.

As I had stated in a previous post, I was also on the receiving end of hazing and tattling, although now that I have experience, it has pretty much gone away. Is this any way to run a profession?

As for those of you who want solutions, not whining, here they are:

1. We must acknowlege it as a problem in our profession.

2. There must be institution-wide policies and education on the issue, as well as no tolerance.

3. There should be policies in place when nurses want to complain about another nurse--one of my friends works at a place where the complaining nurse must fill out a form and notified the "complainee" about a grievance. This has apparently eliminated a lot of the tattling.

4. Obviously, if there are serious issues about patient safety, these should be addressed differently. But so much gossip and complaining seem to be about petty things (clothes, how somebody gives report, work left over for next shift, etc.)

5. Managers need to nip this stuff in the bud, again, through education and not encouraging the gossipers and hazers.

If you haven't already, read the "First Year In Nursing" thread. It is quite enlightening, and there are a lot of miserable new nurses out there. I think as a profession we can do much better.

Oldiebutgoodie

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Why on earth can't people just stick up for themselves? Don't be a victim for goodnes sakes!

It doesn't matter where you are in life, if you present yourself as confident and self-assured, you will not be bullied. If anyone tries, STAND UP for yourself. They will back down! Did anyone claiming to be eaten even look at the links posted by SmilingBluEyes?

Educate yourself about bully behavior. 'Nuff said.

I believe most of us are familiar with various topics regarding bully behavior. If not, there are numerous websites as other posters pointed out. There are also great books on adult bullying behavior as well. "The Bully at Work" by Gary Namie is a good one to check out at your library or to purchase.

However, the bullying can/will continue sometimes regardless if you appear confident and & self assured. They may leave you alone, but will continue to pick on someone else. Why...because they CAN. Managers should be responsible for spotting and eliminating bully behavior, but as we know, often this is not the case and we have to go up our change of command and/or file a harassment claim in HR.

I feel this bullying behavior often correlates with nurses treating one another so poorly & disrespectful; which is why we have this current lack of nurses willing to work in this profession anymore. It is a BIG problem and some of you will deny it, but it will continue to exist. There are many nurses who are truly unhappy due to poor working conditions, bad environment, short staffing, too many pt's, long hours, aching body/feet, poor pay, crappy benefits...which often is carried over due to the above & displayed with a poor disposition and treating some of their co-workers poorly...whether this co-worker is a new nurse, old nurse, doesn't matter...the person who is continuously unhappy & miserable will pick her prey to make he/she feel better. Look at all the openings in your papers, nursing magazines such as Advance and Spectrum....every week depending how your area/state is effected; there are numerous nursing jobs available, and 9 times out of 10, it is the same ads for the same facilities which continuously run each week or in the monthly nursing magazines. I look at the Sunday newspaper and nursing is pretty much devoted to 2-3 pages of openings! You look at other professions and well...the needs aren't as great.

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I think that the issue here should not be who's right and who's wrong, who eats who, etc. The issue is obviously that there is a LOT of emotion here, and it seems to stem from newbies (not just young newbies) getting "hazed" by more experienced nurses, and the lack of solidarity and teamwork in general.

As I had stated in a previous post, I was also on the receiving end of hazing and tattling, although now that I have experience, it has pretty much gone away. Is this any way to run a profession?

As for those of you who want solutions, not whining, here they are:

1. We must acknowlege it as a problem in our profession.

2. There must be institution-wide policies and education on the issue, as well as no tolerance.

3. There should be policies in place when nurses want to complain about another nurse--one of my friends works at a place where the complaining nurse must fill out a form and notified the "complainee" about a grievance. This has apparently eliminated a lot of the tattling.

4. Obviously, if there are serious issues about patient safety, these should be addressed differently. But so much gossip and complaining seem to be about petty things (clothes, how somebody gives report, work left over for next shift, etc.)

5. Managers need to nip this stuff in the bud, again, through education and not encouraging the gossipers and hazers.

If you haven't already, read the "First Year In Nursing" thread. It is quite enlightening, and there are a lot of miserable new nurses out there. I think as a profession we can do much better.

Oldiebutgoodie

good post.

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WELL SAID !!

I think that the issue here should not be who's right and who's wrong, who eats who, etc. The issue is obviously that there is a LOT of emotion here, and it seems to stem from newbies (not just young newbies) getting "hazed" by more experienced nurses, and the lack of solidarity and teamwork in general.

As I had stated in a previous post, I was also on the receiving end of hazing and tattling, although now that I have experience, it has pretty much gone away. Is this any way to run a profession?

As for those of you who want solutions, not whining, here they are:

1. We must acknowlege it as a problem in our profession.

2. There must be institution-wide policies and education on the issue, as well as no tolerance.

3. There should be policies in place when nurses want to complain about another nurse--one of my friends works at a place where the complaining nurse must fill out a form and notified the "complainee" about a grievance. This has apparently eliminated a lot of the tattling.

4. Obviously, if there are serious issues about patient safety, these should be addressed differently. But so much gossip and complaining seem to be about petty things (clothes, how somebody gives report, work left over for next shift, etc.)

5. Managers need to nip this stuff in the bud, again, through education and not encouraging the gossipers and hazers.

If you haven't already, read the "First Year In Nursing" thread. It is quite enlightening, and there are a lot of miserable new nurses out there. I think as a profession we can do much better.

Oldiebutgoodie

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