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 Emergency Medicine, Dr. Office, Psych.
I just finished my final semester of school, and I have an experience that really took my breath, and my mind, away.
I had a really difficult patient this particular week during clinical, and the floor nurse that I was working with (an angel to say the least) and myself were really have a bad time with her. She spoke a foreign language and was calling her daughter every minute (no joke) and stating that we weren't helping with her pain. I had just given this patient a good dose of Dilauded, when she called her daughter again, and this time her daughter was threatening to call the news if we didn't help her mother! We were doing everything we could do, and nothing seemed to help.
We finally got the situation under control, and the floor nurse and I were standing at charge nurses desk, literally pulling our hair at the mess we were in and to relieve the tension, I made a joke.
The charge nurse, at the top of her lungs, shouted to me that I was not a real nurse yet, and until I was a real nurse, I was not allowed to make jokes about the job. She also told me that I needed to learn my station in life and that she had no time to deal with me, and that I was nothing more than a wanna be!
Nurses don't eat their young, yeah right!
I did file a complaint, and I will not work at that hospital when I graduate, in one week. Respect is earned, not simply because you have the initials RN after your name, no matter how many years you have.
Not all Nurses Eat their Young! Trust me! I have dealt with alot that do, they are a difficult type to work with or for, but you have to remember that the world of nursing is a very very stressful place, some nurses can't deal with stress & really should think of another line of work, others that do deal well w/ stress make better teachers in the long run.
Example i just posted on page 171.......... read it , you will see that not every long term nurse has big fangs & is looking for her next new nurse meal!
Take the good nurses & surround yourself with the positive energy & try to avoid the "eaters", if you can' than produce your own positive energy...
My big issue that i point out to EVERY new nurse that i train, give me a REASON not an EXCUSE!
Tell me why you did what you did, for what reason>?
Now well i did that cuz so & so told me that was how to do it!
Be proud to be a nurse, we are a breed like no other! Don't give up on nursing, I have been doing it for 18 yrs & wouldnt leave it for any other job.... Unless its teaching at a nursing college! but i would still want to work as an active nurse as well!!
Hang in there kiddo, surround yourself with the good & stear clear of the evil! Thats what my granny always told me! P.S. She was a nurse too!! :chuckle
Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Office, Psych.
Incase you forgot/ or didnt know, I work in a prison, we have 2 medication nurses for all 600+ inmate and 1 nurse to run the office with the Doctor (3 days a week) PA (2days a week) a dentist (1 day a week) a Psych Dr (2 days a week) & 2 medical assistants, thats it for all 600+ inmates! So if we eat our young in prison, we will work alone! There is no need to eat your young, we can all work well together!
Anytime a code comes out, I run the fastest & they know i will get there first, so I take the crash bag, 1 medical assistant is my recorder, the other medication nurse will get there with the crash cart & the office nurse starts the paperwork from the office, it runs like a well oiled machine! The other medical assistant runs back for more equipment or to give orders to the office nurse!
Team work is about Working together regardless of rank or # of years of service....
Thats how we keep our facility working so well together, mind you we have had our Eaters............ but they don't last long in our environment! Keep your heads up men & women! Be better people! Teach teach teach!
She seriously yelled at the top of her lungs? For most people that's pretty loud. What did the other people say? I would have called security seriously. Anyone that yells that loud is deranged. Seriously.
So, because of this one nurse, you're going to brand the profession you are working so hard to get into as one that eats it's young? What about the angel of a nurse you worked with today?
My intent was to show that there are examples of nurses who do eat their young. I have examples of those who really do care about helping those of become successful in our careers, however, we tend to remember the ones who hurt us simply because they feel that they can the most.
BTW: The angel took me aside and told me that not only was my joke appropriate, but a much needed relief with the chaos of the day, and also let me know that I should not take what was said, and encouraged me to file a report.
I may soon be a nurse, but I am a human being first, and we are told we are to respect those that are different than us. That should include those with whom we work with as well as those who we care for.
My intent was just to show that there are examples and it should be talked about.
As my grandfather used to say "denial is a river in Egypt".
I just finished my final semester of school, and I have an experience that really took my breath, and my mind, away.
I had a really difficult patient this particular week during clinical, and the floor nurse that I was working with (an angel to say the least) and myself were really have a bad time with her. She spoke a foreign language and was calling her daughter every minute (no joke) and stating that we weren't helping with her pain. I had just given this patient a good dose of Dilauded, when she called her daughter again, and this time her daughter was threatening to call the news if we didn't help her mother! We were doing everything we could do, and nothing seemed to help.
We finally got the situation under control, and the floor nurse and I were standing at charge nurses desk, literally pulling our hair at the mess we were in and to relieve the tension, I made a joke.
The charge nurse, at the top of her lungs, shouted to me that I was not a real nurse yet, and until I was a real nurse, I was not allowed to make jokes about the job. She also told me that I needed to learn my station in life and that she had no time to deal with me, and that I was nothing more than a wanna be!
Nurses don't eat their young, yeah right!
I did file a complaint, and I will not work at that hospital when I graduate, in one week. Respect is earned, not simply because you have the initials RN after your name, no matter how many years you have.
That CN was a joke! She doesn't deserve to have you. I bet your preceptor was horrified. I would hate for anyone to talk to one of my students like that. I am so glad you filed a complaint. I hope your clinical instructor addressed the issue with the Coordinator or NM whoever was over that CN.
Keep on, you will be a great nurse. Your are NOT a WANNA BE you are a "hatchling." We are supposed to nurture and aide you to grow to be the best you can be. That is the way we build a strong proactive culture of nursing.
I know one thing for sure, you will always remember how that felt and will make double sure that you don't treat anyone like that way! I think you obviously learned a lot about dealing with difficult patients from your preceptor. Sounds like you may have the innate talant also. Don't get discouraged.
After she gave that example she said "Nurses don't eat their young...yeah right". Meaning she now buys into the idea that the profession is one that eats their young, and she appears to be basing it on this one nurse and tossing aside the fact that she worked with an angel.
Because that's what "nurses eat their young" means. This vile phrase tosses all us good nurses to curb. It doesn't say "There are some nurses that eat their young and you need to watch out for them, but the majority of nurses are good hardworking people that will help you out." It simply says "nurses eat their young" and sorry I ain't buying that.
As I've said probably 50 times in this thread, I'm not denying that there aren't nurses that eat their young,
No matter how many examples are quoted. Each must be an example of "just one experience." I do understand how the politics of power work, as I'm sure tweety is well aware. yes, let's promote the idea that nurses do not eat their young, it'll make it easier to swallow.
She seriously yelled at the top of her lungs? For most people that's pretty loud. What did the other people say? I would have called security seriously. Anyone that yells that loud is deranged. Seriously.
So, because of this one nurse, you're going to brand the profession you are working so hard to get into as one that eats it's young? What about the angel of a nurse you worked with today?
Tweety, instead of being so defensive on behalf of the seasoned members of the profession, why not read some of the research on lateral violence? The terminology is not important, but the inappropriate behavior is. SteeleNurse makes some great points. There are amazing people in nursing. I have already encountered many of both kinds, but we don't need to deny the problem. It won't go away by pretending it doesn't exist.
Experienced nurses need to influence other experienced nurses to teach and to treat the student and the newby with respect. It takes us a while to catch on, and we catch on faster when we are treated with respect. I appreciate being corrected when I am on the wrong track, but I never appreciate being treated in a disrespectful or derogatory manner.
I am still very new, 13 months now. I have precepted newer nurses and students. I know how important it is to treat them with respect and would never be cruel. Even if they are totally out of touch and obnoxious , I could not imagine treating them badly. I might have to not let them do anything besides watch me, but that would be okay too! Everyone learns at their own pace. I think people, even students should have some fun on the job, and humor is appreciated.
WHy not put your energy into advocating for us, instead of protesting the terminology so much??? I have read a lot of your posts and I think you are a pretty smart guy but I don't understand why you are a bit thin skinned about the phrase? It is just an analogy.
Mahage, I want to respect your opinion as I believe you have some valid points. However, I also have read some of the things you say, and they seem to be rather like the very phrase you quote so often. Only it is not the young you are after .
Yes , many of us can site an example of a nurse who in fact treated others poorly. I can site many more who did not.
I do not believe that we can't agree that no one should be put down for their beliefs whether they are yours or mine.
I am not in denial that rudeness occurs, I simply don't buy that blanket which covers all nurses. Some day when you are further into your career you might understand how it feels.
I agree with Tweety, some nurses eat their young and their old for that matter. Thankfully it is not all.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
some of us are getting "too critical" of each other and our phrasing.....
the fact is, there are wonderful, kind nurses and then there are the witches from hexx......I float and believe me, I meet them all.....
I work with great nurses and I work with nurses that are just plain mean and miserable.......just like any people you would meet anywhere...there are good and bad.....
yes, I believe the saying "nurses eat their young, and old and anything else that gets in their way" but NOT ALL,,,,, to me, that is needless to say...when we use that phrase, we are not referring to every single nurse for goodness sake !!!!!!
Bortaz enters into combat with Giant Wall of Text.
Giant Wall of Text strikes Bortaz on the head, doing massive damage.
Bortaz is slain!
sorry :) ! but I do deal with brain injuries all day so if that lump doesn't go away...jk...I haven't been here in months...then come here and write so much--you should see what I deleted before I submitted!...anyway then I ended up on Allnurses all night long! Need sleep......
One thing I have seen lately is newer nurses who were hired after me to our unit who are being trained as relief chg nurses now. As a relief chg nurse I know it doesn't mean I am the boss but a resource - it isn't the "day I get the septor, cape and orb to hold." I remember when they made those little mistakes that we all make. How new they felt and awkward. Now they just get all uppity and treat the newer nurses like "oh my gosh I can't believe she didn't know that." They act so different as relief charge nurses. They can even be mean to floats (A NO NO IF THERE EVER WAS ONE). So it isn't always the older seasoned nurses. I think it is just a personality thing combined with a bunchof women working together with hormones (notice the pms adjusts so everyone has it at the same time-I hate coming to work that week :) ) but still I like everyone I work with...there are moments I am sure I annoy them too...
Mahage, I want to respect your opinion as I believe you have some valid points. However, I also have read some of the things you say, and they seem to be rather like the very phrase you quote so often. Only it is not the young you are after .
Yes , many of us can site an example of a nurse who in fact treated others poorly. I can site many more who did not.
I do not believe that we can't agree that no one should be put down for their beliefs whether they are yours or mine.
I am not in denial that rudeness occurs, I simply don't buy that blanket which covers all nurses. Some day when you are further into your career you might understand how it feels.
I agree with Tweety, some nurses eat their young and their old for that matter. Thankfully it is not all.
FloridaLPN,
I don't understand why you would think I am after anyone. I have simply given examples of stuff that has happened that I don't believe there is any excuse for. I have also sited that there are a lot of extraordinary nurses out there who have been wonderful to me and others. I have been one of the folks maintaining that SOME NOT ALL "nurses eat their young" and that there is NO REASON to take offense at the analogy when the behavior is the real problem not the phrase. I do believe that it is rampant among hospital nurses. That is just sad. This thread is about the negative, not the positive. Maybe you should read some of my posts on the thread where nurses are having a hard time coping. You would read an example of what my better co-workers did to help out is a crisis. I love my job, but I am a realist and I call it the way I see it.
Nursing is hard, and exciting and tough. I will probably never have 20 years experience, so I don't have any ideal what it will be like then. I only have 30 years of Social Work to compare it with and if the question on a Social Work discussion board was posted which was negative but carried some very real truth, such as "Do experienced Social Workers become cold and unfeeling toward their clients?" I would certainly state that not all become cold and unfeeling, but many do. I can't imagine taking offense about this when others cite examples of coldness and lack of caring on the part of Social Workers.
This is my reality. I have 13 months experience as an RN. I am working as an RN by choice. I have options and I choose to continue working as an RN. I am past (hopefully) the most grueling part of the learning curve on this particular job which involves getting proceedures and basic skills down and establishing yourself in the social strata of the unit. I am still learning even the basics in some ways. I am very much a novice and very anxious to learn and am dependent at times on my experienced colleagues. I sure don't know what it feels like to be an unappreciated old timer nurse, though I have definately had that experience as a Social Worker.
I wonder what it would have been like for the people I trained in Social Work if I had snapped at them, refused to give them information, or to listen to their questions. If I had put them down when they made mistakes instead of showing them the correct way to get something done we wouldn't have kept many employees. Some of the people I trained didn't appreciate me very much and resented my intervention as they became more experienced though I remained the clinical supervisor. That did not relieve me of the responsibility for ethical treatment of my supervisees and co-workers.
I think professionalism and just common courtesy applies whether one is an experienced professional or a novice, regardless of the profession.
One thing I have seen lately is newer nurses who were hired after me to our unit who are being trained as relief chg nurses now. As a relief chg nurse I know it doesn't mean I am the boss but a resource - it isn't the "day I get the septor, cape and orb to hold." I remember when they made those little mistakes that we all make. How new they felt and awkward. Now they just get all uppity and treat the newer nurses like "oh my gosh I can't believe she didn't know that." They act so different as relief charge nurses. They can even be mean to floats (A NO NO IF THERE EVER WAS ONE). So it isn't always the older seasoned nurses. I think it is just a personality thing combined with a bunchof women working together with hormones (notice the pms adjusts so everyone has it at the same time-I hate coming to work that week :) ) but still I like everyone I work with...there are moments I am sure I annoy them too...
Jerks come in all ages, sizes, genders and levels of experience. That is pretty yucky indeed!
nurselsteele
111 Posts
Example i just posted on page 171.......... read it , you will see that not every long term nurse has big fangs & is looking for her next new nurse meal!
Take the good nurses & surround yourself with the positive energy & try to avoid the "eaters", if you can' than produce your own positive energy...
My big issue that i point out to EVERY new nurse that i train, give me a REASON not an EXCUSE!
Tell me why you did what you did, for what reason>?
Now well i did that cuz so & so told me that was how to do it!
Be proud to be a nurse, we are a breed like no other! Don't give up on nursing, I have been doing it for 18 yrs & wouldnt leave it for any other job.... Unless its teaching at a nursing college! but i would still want to work as an active nurse as well!!
Hang in there kiddo, surround yourself with the good & stear clear of the evil! Thats what my granny always told me! P.S. She was a nurse too!! :chuckle