This vile expression implies that experienced nurses do not treat new nurses kindly. My first problem with the statement is that it’s a generalization implying that all nurses are like that. Interestingly, whenever I hear someone utter the expression, I always say, “I don’t do that. Do you?” The person making the statement always says, “Oh no, I don’t, but many others do.” I’ve never heard even one nurse own up to doing this, although some nurses are willing to indict the entire profession. Every time that statement is repeated, it causes harm and casts a dark shadow on every nurse. Say anything enough, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Please note that by moderator consensus some of the "Nurses Eat Their Young" posts will be referred to this thread where there can be an ongoing discussion, rather than several threads saying the same thing.
To students and new grads that are having problems with nurses, please take a moment to read the above link. Is it really the entire profession, every single nurse, or do you need help with one or a few nurses? We will be glad to help you in dealing with those people, but let bury the phrase "Nurses Eat Their Young".
To experienced nurses who claim our profession eats it's young, please take a moment to read it as well and think about it. Also take time to teach, be friendly and nurturing to the new nurse and students on your unit.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
Fellow participants, I am living first hand the "does nursing eat her own", I am 6 weeks into a new job and honestly it is so discouraging to see how nurses (even good ones) withhold information, give half information, wait until the unit manager is around and point out some missed piece in a process (all placing the newbie in a poor light). I finally said to a barracuda on Thursday, "I am new to your environment, I only know what you and your cohorts have shared with me, if I have made a faux pau or missed some critical step, please look to how you and yours have presented or failed to presented informatio because, we newbies DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE DON"T KNOW because this is YOUR HOUSE!! I then ended the conversation with, if you will be open and honest in sharing information we are more than capable of follow thru, if you and yours choose to with hold information the responsibilityis in your court. nanacarol.
Aloe Vera, at some point each of us will make a decision to say enough is enough and will pull the plug on that kind of interaction. I recently (I am new at my current employment, 6 wks) stopped a nurse from speaking inappropriately about a medication error that had occurred on another shift, the nurse who made the error was not in attendance, I informed the group, that I felt it was inapproapriate to second guess w'hat the nurse said or didn't say to a patient when we were not there and the nurse was not available for query. I also indicated that I would prefer if I were the nurse involved that first my colleagues would support me and second would take me aside and ask me what I did or didn't do or say. The nurse and the rest of the group seemed speechless, she did become defensive, didn't matter, I took a stand, she reported her side to the nurse manager, of course slightly biased for her attempt to support the patient, even when approached by the nurse manager I was clear that I felt her behavior did not support the profession nor her colleagues and that ethically I would always speak against such behavior. As one moves through the professional ranks (29+years) it takes a lot to intimidate me, I am comfortable with where I am in my career and my self esteem is in tack. I want the profession to move beyond the "fish wife" persona, i.e. tattling, finger pointing, non supportive. nanacarol
No, it wouldn't kill a nurse. But would you expect the physician, who is in and out of the room to empty the trash? Nurses tend to take on tasks that are not theirs rather than saying to administration, we need to take a second look at how housekeeping is deployed,the patient rooms are not clean and tidy using the current schedule. Hospitals thrive on patient satisfaction surveys and if there are negative responses related to housekeeping change will come. nanacarol
No, it wouldn't kill a nurse. But would you expect the physician, who is in and out of the room to empty the trash? Nurses tend to take on tasks that are not theirs rather than saying to administration, we need to take a second look at how housekeeping is deployed,the patient rooms are not clean and tidy using the current schedule. Hospitals thrive on patient satisfaction surveys and if there are negative responses related to housekeeping change will come. nanacarol
Points well taken. It just seems easier for me to pick up after myself, but I would never yell at a new nurse "you need to empty your trash" when there are priorities. We all choose our battles.
Just my 2 cents, but I do think the newbies tend to get hard mixes; the other nurses are making sure you can cut it. The one nurse who will give me the worst mix possible to this day is my old preceptor; I'll look at her and go, "what did I ever do to you!?!" I've never seen them deliberately jepardize a pt but I've also seen them give a nurse with a reputation of not liking, say, trach care, every trach on the floor. It's like they practice aversion therapy -- don't like people in DT's? You'll get every one that hits the floor on your shift. Colostomies make you wanna puke -- you just got signed up for them.
That's what we call being an a-hole, where I come from.
Specializes in Medical-Surgical-Ortho-Neuro-Agency.
Fellow participants, I am living first hand the "does nursing eat her own", I am 6 weeks into a new job and honestly it is so discouraging to see how nurses (even good ones) withhold information, give half information, wait until the unit manager is around and point out some missed piece in a process (all placing the newbie in a poor light).
When I first started my nursing career, I've had nurses say you should have asked for help. It was obvious to see that the section had been rough, or the anxiety. At times when you do ask for help at first, it feels as if you're begging. As time goes by, newbies will get better. However, I am grateful that as hard as my unit is, and the those nurses, made me become stronger, and it's a breeze when floating to other units.
New Rn's should talk to their nurse manager to find out how to ease the process of floor nursing. As you work more, you gain more experience. Don't be afraid to take responsibility of new pts or pt's cases. You'll learn so much. Have your palm, use the PC to look up info, call your on-call nurse educator, ask your coworkers, when all things fail refer to the upper hand.
BunnyRN, my mantra is that it does not have to be this way and that it will not change until each of us confront the evil. We are the voice of Helps, but we are sick within our own ranks, there is a need for a champion, I chose to be the champion and I will confront the ignorant nurse, no matter what he/she uses as a defense for "teaching". It is not right, it is not helping, it is mean spiritedness. ENOUGH already!! nanacarol
I absolutely detest that phrase. Some nurses have good attitudes - unfortunately, some have bad ones. I wish it would change - but with the shortage of nurses and the staffing and the people getting into an honored profession for money only - it's simply realistic to say it's not. Standing up for yourself is something all nurses have to learn - whether it is with a colleague, physician, or even a patient. I think before new nurses hit the floor they need to go through some type of "dealing with difficult people" class. I also think that ALL nurses need to stop - take a deep breath - and realize just because something was done to you does not make it right to "carry on the tradition". It's sickening. Nursing is HARD work. Personalities are different. Lives are different. I have an intern right now that is figuring it out with me. She is already griping about the "day shift" and how they don't do this, don't do that, etc. etc. I told her that until she walks in their shoes and knows exactly how their day went - don't judge them. Little snippy comments and bad attitude start mini shift wars and mini nurse wars that are detrimental to all. Taking each situation at a time and dealing with it positively is the only way to even start making a breach in this wall that has been here way too long and is way too thick.
Sorry so long - once I start on this - I don't know when to stop venting.......
Specializes in Medical-Surgical-Ortho-Neuro-Agency.
Hi lilmisstiger94,
Re: Some nurses have good attitudes - unfortunately, some have bad ones. I think before new nurses hit the floor they need to go through some type of "dealing with difficult people" class. I also think that ALL nurses need to stop - take a deep breath - and realize just because something was done to you does not make it right to "carry on the tradition". Personalities are different. Lives are different."
You are absolutely right. Different mix of people, different way of thinking and interacting w/ people. Nurses need to stand up for themselves, and talk to the appropriate authority to find ways to accomodate the retention of new RNs. Nursing school is hard enough, and those bullies know it too!!!
My friend works at a place, where the nurse manager is promoting this type of behavior, by siding with deceiptful nurses. I believe that it's nonprofessional on her side.
aloevera
861 Posts
AMEN !!!!! Good for you, nanacarol.....