Why do nurses "eat their young?" (serious post)

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm relatively new to this forum and I'm also a new Family Nurse Practitioner that graduated from a non-RN to NP program...one of those programs that RNs consistently bash every time the subject is brought up.

Obviously, the type of program I went to is subject to debate and I'm sure we will all never come to some agreement on the issue, but that is beside the point of this post.

While in my NP program, I consistently heard the phrase "Nurses eat their young." I heard this and did not pay much attention to it. But after seeing it in rotations and after graduation, it makes me wonder. Why do they?

Why is it that nurses always seem to be at war with each other? Seriously. MDs, PAs, Lawyers, Marines, etc. all seem to stick together and cover each other's back while nurses do not.

I have worked so many jobs and have never seen the kind of bickering that goes on as it does with nurses. When I was an EMT and somebody made a mistake, we all tried our best to help the person out. However, nurses are quick to say "He/She did it, it wasn't me." This example is just one of many that I can think of.

Why? What is the problem here? When I became an NP, a lot of RNs disliked the idea that I did not practice for years as a floor nurse. There was no congratulations or welcome to the field attitude. It did not matter that I was a nurse. The only thing that mattered was that I was not a "traditional" nurse...whatever.

Its just so ridiculous. Get over it and get along already. The world is big enough for all types of nurses and we should all accept each other for what each of us brings to the profession. Personally, I may not be the ideal "traditional" nurse, but who cares!!! I enjoy my profession and do a good job. I bring things to the field that others don't as well as lack things that others have. It evens out and on the whole, this is probably a good thing.

This is just my Sunday night curiousity.

Chris-FNP

That's a valid point. The nurses do become exhausted from their own work and then having the added work of teaching. This can lead, of course, to a higher stress level.

traumaRUs,

That's a loaded post on your part. Its not that I particularily enjoy controversy or "stirring the water" per se. I just tend to say things that others fail to either see or lack the guts to say. That's because I don't care what people think of me. If I'm wrong, I'll admit it. If someone says something that makes sence and shows that I am incorrect, I love that. Its not that I ever think only I am right, its the truth that I strive to reach. Sometimes that means ticking others off. Other times it means I look dumb. The bottom line is that a good discussion is born from this.

patty26,

I graduated 5/13/00 and was at work for my first NP job 5/17/00 (give or take a couple of days)...so, I had no problems. Employers did not care that I went to a non-traditional program. Heck, they hired me before I passed the boards or had a DEA number!!! I do have to say that I hated my first NP job and left shortly after starting. The Manager and Docs were jerks. The PA I worked with was a real jerk. Awful place. Now I'm in a Family Practice clinic and love it.

Good luck!!!

Chris-FNP

[This message has been edited by Chris-FNP (edited March 19, 2001).]

nursing is just one of many examples of oppressed group behavior. nursing literature provides many excellent articles on this topic. check them out and maybe you will understand why we can be so unsupportive to our own. the sickness begins at the top and just trickles down.....

Nurses who eat their young are either burned out or evil. Whichever it is, it needs to be stopped. Who will care for the "young-eaters"when they are patients down the road? So if you do this or see someone doing it...STOP IT ALREADY!

p.s: For those of you who were BORN experienced, please disregard this reply. wink.gif

Originally posted by gimmeabreak:

nursing is just one of many examples of oppressed group behavior. nursing literature provides many excellent articles on this topic. check them out and maybe you will understand why we can be so unsupportive to our own. the sickness begins at the top and just trickles down.....

Actually, the "sickness" as you call it begins inside each one of us, regardless of our position in healthcare. As Michael Jackson said "the man in the mirror" is the place to start. Each of us has the opportunity to change how we participate in this culture. We each have the responsibility to change ourselves for we can not change anyone else in the longterm.

regards

chas

Chris,,,after reading this post...I am scared....very scared....I start nursing school in September. I was just accepted into the local nursing program for LPN. I want to go for my Lpn First. But any how I have panic disorder and have worked on getting better for years so I can live my life long dream now I feel that I am strong enough to go to school, But after reading this......I am truly nervous....These Nurses would make me have a panic attack on the floor. Any suggestions for me......Thanks

micknmel,

Don't worry, I have anxiety and OCD and I managed to get through it. I just repeated myself a lot!!! ;-)

Kidding. I do have anxiety and OCD though, and I did ok. You will be fine. Just don't get caught up in all the politics involved. Concentrate on your studies and your patients. Everything else, just ignore.

Chris-FNP

Originally posted by micknmel:

Chris,,,after reading this post...I am scared....very scared....I start nursing school in September. I was just accepted into the local nursing program for LPN. I want to go for my Lpn First. But any how I have panic disorder and have worked on getting better for years so I can live my life long dream now I feel that I am strong enough to go to school, But after reading this......I am truly nervous....These Nurses would make me have a panic attack on the floor. Any suggestions for me......Thanks

Honey, you just keep telling yourself, "I am a duck," and let all that negativity ROLL OFF YOUR BACK. There are some nasty folks out there, but you don't have to let 'em suck you into their misery. I have read other nurses responses saying they just sit there and nod and say 'uh huh' while the nurse-eater is going off, then say 'done?' and walk away. That's about the best way to handle it. Blow 'em off, ignore them, and WALK AWAY. You'll be fine!! biggrin.gif

Thanks Chris.....you did make me feel a little calmer I also have OCD....It is amazing how so many people have this disorder. Again, thanks I will take your advice. I have fought to hard to where I am today and I will not let anyone "Eat ME"! LOL

I don't think that the nurse eating has totally to do with the profession being female in general. But what I think is that We ALL want to feel Good about what we do. Rarely do we get any positive comments from management/the MD's definitely not from other nurses. So to get that "good" feeling, many nurses resort to using others shortcomings to make themselves look/feel superior. Every time I find myself wanting to say something like that now, I instead force myself to find some nice compliment to say to the nurse instead. It actually works. My workplace is much nicer because of it.

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