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

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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?!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

some are

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Yes. But competition can be healthy

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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?!

Women are women are women....so , yes. Some places seem to be worse than others (when I moved back to IL from TX, I was appalled at how "sorority house" it was...made me want to puke and find some adults. :) There aren't grades to compare, but you can count on finding out who's husband got a raise, how kids are so advanced compared to every other kid, who has the smartest dog, who got what certification with the highest score, etc..... It does seem to get better the longer out of school people are, so there's hope that in about 20 years, things tame down :) But most places aren't horrible work experiences. :) Hang in there- you're getting to the end- and school has stresses you won't find after graduating (of course, you get a whole new set of stressors- but it's still better than school- or was - I graduated in 1985- lol- so my frame of reference is from then).

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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?!

In my experience, it depends on where you work. The women I have worked with have been very territorial, controlling, (and yet, few of them appreciate other's boundaries), catty, cliquey...ugh.I started a new position today and did not get that feeling at all.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, PH, CM.

I think most of the highly competative nurses I have known over the years, especially in school were dealing with a sense of insecurity, and the need to make themselves look competent. You will run into these folks from time to time, but no more in nursing than in any other career field.

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It is not like that at all where I work. There is no competition and very little cattiness or gossip. The nurses are supportive of each other and genuinely like each other. It is not like that everywhere.

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Im a student too studying for a BSN. My class sounds like the opposite to yours. We all generally get on great and we help each other out a lot. We support each other and I've made great friends that I study with. Obviously theres a tiny tiny bit of competition but it keeps everyone enthusiastic and I've never seen it get catty or mean. However the competition is more about everyone competing against themselves to do the best they can do and to get the best grades they can get :) Since our classes seem so different Id say it depends on where you work and on your own attitude too. I found one of my friends to be a little bit competitive but I just dont engage in competitions with her. If she does better I tell her well done and if she does worse I tell her that she passed and thats all that matters, I dont rub it in. Im sorry to hear your class is a little bit too competitive :( on the plus side though, I honestly dont think all nurses will be like that in the workplace :)

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

No competition. What is there to compete over? As in catty, there are a select few that can complain about most anything. We are good on teamwork. Anytime you need help, somebody is always there.

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Specializes in CNA/LPN.

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.

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Women are women are women....so , yes. Some places seem to be worse than others (when I moved back to IL from TX, I was appalled at how "sorority house" it was...made me want to puke and find some adults. :) There aren't grades to compare, but you can count on finding out who's husband got a raise, how kids are so advanced compared to every other kid, who has the smartest dog, who got what certification with the highest score, etc..... It does seem to get better the longer out of school people are, so there's hope that in about 20 years, things tame down :) But most places aren't horrible work experiences. :) Hang in there- you're getting to the end- and school has stresses you won't find after graduating (of course, you get a whole new set of stressors- but it's still better than school- or was - I graduated in 1985- lol- so my frame of reference is from then).

Thanks, I know it feels like such a sorority :uhoh3: I'm doing by best, can't wait til graduation!:jester:

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ya, I hate that feeling of cliqiness :( I hope your new job works out for you! :)

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