Are nurses as competitive in work as they are in school?

[Laurenslovely]

I am currently in a BSN program. It is small (about 80 students junior/senior 95% women). I like school, but I can't wait to have this program behind me!! I was just wondering if nurses are as competitive and catty as they are when in school? Do nurses compete with each other in the hospital like they do in my school? Half of the students in my program have such negative, nasty attitudes. I get straight A's and I speak up in class so I can learn and do well, not to compete. In my program everyone is always comparing grades. Is it that same way as a nurse? Just wondering cause it's kinda exhausting and so immature!! Also, I thought nursing is teamwork?!

[Laurenslovely]

I believe that merely depends on your set of classmates and your set of co-workers. :) You're always going to have people with insecurities everywhere you go and sometimes, that spouts into competition/cattiness to make themselves feel some type of self-worth. You seem to be doing the right thing! Focus on you and that's all that matters. They are the type of people who'd love to see a slip-up and especially if it'd help them out. Don't let them get the best of you. I know it can be annoying, but many of those nurses won't succeed in various areas due to their attitude...it can definitely be a setback. Disassociate yourself with them as much as you can. Maybe you'll luck out and get a workplace where all the other nurses are helpful and kind to one another.

Thank you, that helps a lot! It feels like high school again, but I'm doing my best to get through it!