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.
Please note that by moderator concensus 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 lilnk. 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 nuturing to the new nurse and students on your unit.
End of sermon. LOL
This woman can say whatever she wants, but I definitely was eaten byolder more experienced nurses!
Lets see, how many times I can recall such things happening? Just to fill you in on one here goes.
This was my first job on a med/surg post op unit, I loved it! In the beginning it was great. I was learning new things every day made me feel so good. I loved the pts and they seemed to love me too! But then one night 11-7 ( I already had 8 pts) I got a new admit. That was OK too, until I had to leave the floor and all of the other nurses were expected to watch my patients. Well an elderly lady passed. I got in trouble for not calling a code. You know, no one ever went over that part of orientation. But that wasn't why I didn't call the code. The lady had been passed for quite some time as she was already stiffening, sorry. Even the Dr. who examined her said so. I didn't think it was so bad. But what I did think was bad was that I felt "set up to fail". The other nurses had more experience & fewer pts than I, but I got the new pt. Just like this lady said was how I felt, "I thought it was something I had to endure as a new nurse."
But listen to this. Another night prior to this happening, another charge RN from another floor called me into the elevator. I thought mmmm...what now? Well she filled me in on my supervising nurses, V and D. She told me "that if I didn't quit or transfer that V. would never get off my back." Now I was puzzled. I asked, why? Her response, "oh she might not like you for any reason, it could be the way you dress" "She has done this before to new nurses she doesn't like". I was blown away!
Well after I lost my job d/t the "not calling a code." I thought that was it. I later went to agency work and loved it.
Now I was the head and never looked back, but I did remember how I was treated so therefore I didn't treat those I worked with any less than I.
I made more money and I was d*** good at it too! In a way you could say V. made me a better nurse and person because I in no way ever wanted to be like her!
You could say she taught me how to look out for the sharks! From then on I took up for me!
Not long along I saw V. in a store and I just starred at her. I started walking around in the store hoping to confront her, but darn she left!:)
Specializes in med surg, geriatric, clinical, pool.
This woman can say whatever she wants, but I definitely was eaten byolder more experienced nurses!
Lets see, how many times I can recall such things happening? Just to fill you in on one here goes.
This was my first job on a med/surg post op unit, I loved it! In the beginning it was great. I was learning new things every day made me feel so good. I loved the pts and they seemed to love me too! But then one night 11-7 ( I already had 8 pts) I got a new admit. That was OK too, until I had to leave the floor and all of the other nurses were expected to watch my patients. Well an elderly lady passed. I got in trouble for not calling a code. You know, no one ever went over that part of orientation. But that wasn't why I didn't call the code. The lady had been passed for quite some time as she was already stiffening, sorry. Even the Dr. who examined her said so. I didn't think it was so bad. But what I did think was bad was that I felt "set up to fail". The other nurses had more experience & fewer pts than I, but I got the new pt. Just like this lady said was how I felt, "I thought it was something I had to endure as a new nurse."
But listen to this. Another night prior to this happening, another charge RN from another floor called me into the elevator. I thought mmmm...what now? Well she filled me in on my supervising nurses, V and D. She told me "that if I didn't quit or transfer that V. would never get off my back." Now I was puzzled. I asked, why? Her response, "oh she might not like you for any reason, it could be the way you dress" "She has done this before to new nurses she doesn't like". I was blown away!
Well after I lost my job d/t the "not calling a code." I thought that was it. I later went to agency work and loved it.
Now I was the head and never looked back, but I did remember how I was treated so therefore I didn't treat those I worked with any less than I.
I made more money and I was d*** good at it too! In a way you could say V. made me a better nurse and person because I in no way ever wanted to be like her!
You could say she taught me how to look out for the sharks! From then on I took up for me!
Not long along I saw V. in a store and I just starred at her. I started walking around in the store hoping to confront her, but darn she left!:)
Oh by the way I in no way agree with this nurse. Even the head of nursing didn't like me!? Why? I have no idea, but she absolutely stalked me. She knew I was a peon and she treated me that way. For example, after a study class one day, I was about to leave the room when she called me back. Again, I am wondering what now?
She told me "I don't trust you giving out meds." I reapplied, "what do you mean you don't trust me giving out meds? I just had my exit interview with my teaching instructor and she said "if I do anything right its, giving out meds". "you need to talk to her." And I left, but she accomplished what she wanted. She put so much lack of confidence in me that I failed the pharmacology math test by one third of a point. Then she rubbed my nose in that by saying, "you thought you passed, didn't you?" this was in front of others in the hallway. She said "I want to see you in my office". So I went. She said, "we all can't be astronauts".
Now I wrote all of this up and took it to the dean of the college. This women called on me 9 times the first time we all met for this pharmacology class. She had so many others she could have called on. After meeting with the dean, he told me,"I can stand up beside you and be your advocate, but I don't know anything about nursing,so I would have to take her word for it"
All of this was 20 yrs ago and I can still remember how this lame, egotistical woman made me feel. Too bad I can't run into her in a store.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
I try to stay out of all the gossip, kiss-ups, etc. and just go to work and do my job...others stay in report gossiping but I leave and get on the floor....I don't want to be a part of all the mess going on...I am there to take care of pts. and that is all I want to do...if someone IS talking about me, I don't know it because I don't look for it and I don't care...that is my attitude and the only way I can work...I have enough to do to stay on top of things than to worry about what else is going on on the "inside"....but I can sympathize with dauschundlover and Queen...I couldn't work under those conditions, either....
Specializes in Oncology/Haematology/Stem Cell Transplant, Med/Sur.
I agree with you leighann757 - a terrible injustice. I think it is a shift of power, if nurses a disgrunted about their own insecurities, overworked, underpaid, they take their revenge out on others.
Nurses need to look after each other - with the shortage for nurses worldwide. Nurses are powerful people who can stand together and make a change for the better.
I have a saying be careful who you point the finger at because you have three fingers pointing back at you!
Oh by the way I in no way agree with this nurse. Even the head of nursing didn't like me!? Why? I have no idea, but she absolutely stalked me. She knew I was a peon and she treated me that way. For example, after a study class one day, I was about to leave the room when she called me back. Again, I am wondering what now?
She told me "I don't trust you giving out meds." I reapplied, "what do you mean you don't trust me giving out meds? I just had my exit interview with my teaching instructor and she said "if I do anything right its, giving out meds". "you need to talk to her." And I left, but she accomplished what she wanted. She put so much lack of confidence in me that I failed the pharmacology math test by one third of a point. Then she rubbed my nose in that by saying, "you thought you passed, didn't you?" this was in front of others in the hallway. She said "I want to see you in my office". So I went. She said, "we all can't be astronauts".
Now I wrote all of this up and took it to the dean of the college. This women called on me 9 times the first time we all met for this pharmacology class. She had so many others she could have called on. After meeting with the dean, he told me,"I can stand up beside you and be your advocate, but I don't know anything about nursing,so I would have to take her word for it"
All of this was 20 yrs ago and I can still remember how this lame, egotistical woman made me feel. Too bad I can't run into her in a store.
We have to accept that "WE CANT PLEASE EVERYBODY".. and in someway, there are people who are considered a CLOSE BOOK.. Never giving other people the chance... If you get eaten whole, then let them, because sooner or later they are going to SPIT YOU OUT...
Sometimes, it's a persons individuality who is reigning.. It just so happen that a majority of the SENIOR STAFFs are PLAIN INSECURE for whatever reasons...
Acceptance is hard to deal but why bother thinking why people dont like you.. It's like a ROCKING CHAIR, It will LEAD you nowhere...As long as you do your JOB and she do hers... If you cant handle the situation, just IGNORE them.. They are people who doenst have anyone better in life that's why....hahahahaha:zzzzz
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
We have to accept that "WE CANT PLEASE EVERYBODY".. and in someway, there are people who are considered a CLOSE BOOK.. Never giving other people the chance... If you get eaten whole, then let them, because sooner or later they are going to SPIT YOU OUT...
Sometimes, it's a persons individuality who is reigning.. It just so happen that a majority of the SENIOR STAFFs are PLAIN INSECURE for whatever reasons...
Acceptance is hard to deal but why bother thinking why people dont like you.. It's like a ROCKING CHAIR, It will LEAD you nowhere...As long as you do your JOB and she do hers... If you cant handle the situation, just IGNORE them.. They are people who doenst have anyone better in life that's why....hahahahaha:zzzzz
So, So, true....there are always some that are always looking to point the finger....last night a night nurse came on and before we even went in to give report she started " Why is this suitcase still behind the desk?" accusing our tech....I told her to Please not say a word...we were short 2 techs today and had to try and do their jobs, too....that shut her up....
Yes, I agree, it is the ones that are insecure about their own abilities....that are always looking to condemn someone else...sad, but true
Oh! I have to tell you about a few experiences that I never forget...
When I was a CNA I had a charge nurse who I never saw answer a call light. One evening she was breaking the nurse (a new nurse) for my pts. It was 10 to 1 with an aide on this med/surg floor. I had a post-op bilateral hip ORIF pt on a pca with respirations of 6. Needless to say, I was concerned, not to mention GREEN and extremely freaked out. I felt that I should not leave until a nurse was standing at her bedside. So I pressed the call light.
Time kept ticking and nobody came. I poked my head out of the room. The charge nurse was standing at the nurses' station talking to one of the doctors. I waved my hands at her. She glanced over at me and responded with a raised finger indicating "wait a minute." I didn't feel that I had a minute so I called out her name. She responded by yelling to me that she would be there in a minute & I had mispronounced her name (I have a bit of an accent). The pt was becoming more and more lethargic. I pressed the code button & yelled to the nurse on the opposite side of the unit to bring narcan. That got some attention.
When the charge nurse came in she lectured me in front of the group for yelling across the unit, giving breaths and administering O2. She was right- I wasn't supposed to administer oxygen or yell. It was very unprofessional of me. I was intimidated and quiet. I am an odd one; the more adrenalin there is pumping through me, the calmer I get. I must have a.d.d. The charge nurse commented about that too, she said I was not taking the situation seriously.
The nurse returned from her break and the doctor began ripping her a new one. The charge nurse just stood there and said nothing. I interrupted that the pt was fine when the nurse went on break. However, while the two of them (doc and charge) were discussing their kids' school programs in front of the nurses' station, and I ignoring my cheerleading routine attempts to get their attention, the pts status changed. They chose to leave a CNA in charge. One of the nurses asked me how I knew what they were talking about. I replied that the patient near the nurses' station told me that she was listening because her son goes to the same school. There are multiple levels to how convoluted that situation was. Thank God the pt was alright in the end.
I was young and shy and I remember my lips were shaking when I spoke. At the time I knew that interrupting was not exactly appropriate, but I didn't realize until much later that I had dug my own grave on that unit. That charge nurse had it out for me after that. She singled me out, micromanaged my every move, and ridiculed me to the point that I feared her. I even believed at one point that I would never be a nurse. I eventually transferred to the cardiac unit and became a PCT.
I saw the charge nurse here and there after I transferred. I just smiled and proceeded with whatever I was doing. Years later the nurse that was on her break that day wrote me a phenomenal letter of reference for my nursing school application. She told me about how that charge nurse eventually went to a different hospital because the nurses didn't respect her.
That was a little longer winded than I expected. So I'll just tell you about this amazing nurse I knew in the ED when I was a tech. She would circle the department with a fx pan in hand looking for a tech! I once counted five laps while I was doing chest compressions. Who needs a clock? It still cracks me up! :chuckle
I never did understand that. She really was a brilliant nurse- I suppose she had bed pan issues...I don't regret not asking her about it though. I always bent over backwards to do anything she needed and if I were there today I would continue. I prided myself on the fact that she wanted me in the room with her and her pts. Sometimes I could keep up with her and she didn't need to ask me for anything (patting myself on the back). Other techs and nurses couldn't stand working with her because of her sarcasm and grouchiness. I didn't react to her. When she told me to do things I didn't question her- I trusted her. My nose would probably be necrotic by now had I stayed longer. But what I took with me was priceless. I don't think I would have handled it the same if I'd never experienced that mean charge nurse years before. Legacy is powerful. And there is always plastic surgery if needed... ha ha
Speaking of legacy: This is why I read the things you all write- you teach even when you may not intend to. I appreciate you for that.
:selfbonk: I fall- I get back up
PS
Don't even get me started on the "not my pt" issue. That is preposterous. Don't be fooled. It is not just nurses that pull that stunt. CNAs can be pretty shady characters also.
"At the end of the day, it's all about the context that we hold that gives meaning to the piece of paper we have on our wall." C. Brown RN, MSN (another brilliant nurse I got to follow around).
I am a new grad (male) nurse and I have worked with SOOOO many RN's over the past few years on a wide range of clinical settings and have not had one bad experience....in fact it's been amazing!!!!!! On the other hand a couple of my female counterparts have been reduced to tears and complained about being treated poorly?!!?! I personally just can't understand it! I would want to see a new grad grow and flourish and I would take great pride in knowing that I had contributed in some way!! I am very fortunate and blessed to have worked with some exceptional RN's who truly have made me proud to enter the world of nursing!
Well said dauschundlover..(sorry if I miss spelled that) But I am not that naive, I just know what the people I work with think, has little to do with the job I do. This happens in ever work place and in every job. It is not that it happens...it is how we deal with it. Be a bit selfish on your next job, and just care about how you do your job and how it relates to you. Learn that you can not be friends with everyone, and it really does not matter if you are or are not! Your job is a contract between you and the company that hired you. It is not a social obligation or a place to make friends, it is your job. I am not new to this, just too old to it to play games. Best wishes
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
Well said dauschundlover..(sorry if I miss spelled that) But I am not that naive, I just know what the people I work with think, has little to do with the job I do. This happens in ever work place and in every job. It is not that it happens...it is how we deal with it. Be a bit selfish on your next job, and just care about how you do your job and how it relates to you. Learn that you can not be friends with everyone, and it really does not matter if you are or are not! Your job is a contract between you and the company that hired you. It is not a social obligation or a place to make friends, it is your job. I am not new to this, just too old to it to play games. Best wishes
I do agree but our jobs do require a team effort to some degree.....If you don't have that in your work setting, sometimes you must move on...i have been in jobs that seem like others are out to get you....not a nice place to be....Others we watch each others backs...but that is rare....when you find that situation it sure makes life and work much more rewarding...
i have limited experience as an rn but the majority of the nurses on the floor at my last job were cannibals!!
teamwork should be more than just a nice word to toss around at staff meetings and new hire interviews! if nurses would just put it into practice, especially when newbies are involved, everyone's job would be easier.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
i have limited experience as an rn but the majority of the nurses on the floor at my last job were cannibals!!
teamwork should be more than just a nice word to toss around at staff meetings and new hire interviews! if nurses would just put it into practice, especially when newbies are involved, everyone's job would be easier.
i think that is part of the cause of the "nursing shortage"....i know of many nurses through the years that have moved on to other careers, ie:
real estate, accountants, teaching, etc. also many go in to administration because they are fed up with all the cattiness and egos on the floor....such a shame.....we lose many a good nurse because of this...
queen777
208 Posts
This woman can say whatever she wants, but I definitely was eaten by older more experienced nurses!
Lets see, how many times I can recall such things happening? Just to fill you in on one here goes.
This was my first job on a med/surg post op unit, I loved it! In the beginning it was great. I was learning new things every day made me feel so good. I loved the pts and they seemed to love me too! But then one night 11-7 ( I already had 8 pts) I got a new admit. That was OK too, until I had to leave the floor and all of the other nurses were expected to watch my patients. Well an elderly lady passed. I got in trouble for not calling a code. You know, no one ever went over that part of orientation. But that wasn't why I didn't call the code. The lady had been passed for quite some time as she was already stiffening, sorry. Even the Dr. who examined her said so. I didn't think it was so bad. But what I did think was bad was that I felt "set up to fail". The other nurses had more experience & fewer pts than I, but I got the new pt. Just like this lady said was how I felt, "I thought it was something I had to endure as a new nurse."
But listen to this. Another night prior to this happening, another charge RN from another floor called me into the elevator. I thought mmmm...what now? Well she filled me in on my supervising nurses, V and D. She told me "that if I didn't quit or transfer that V. would never get off my back." Now I was puzzled. I asked, why? Her response, "oh she might not like you for any reason, it could be the way you dress" "She has done this before to new nurses she doesn't like". I was blown away!
Well after I lost my job d/t the "not calling a code." I thought that was it. I later went to agency work and loved it.
Now I was the head and never looked back, but I did remember how I was treated so therefore I didn't treat those I worked with any less than I.
I made more money and I was d*** good at it too! In a way you could say V. made me a better nurse and person because I in no way ever wanted to be like her!
You could say she taught me how to look out for the sharks! From then on I took up for me!
Not long along I saw V. in a store and I just starred at her. I started walking around in the store hoping to confront her, but darn she left!:)