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.
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, it means that some (maybe even a lot) of nurses do it. Not that ALL nurses do it.
Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Office, 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 !!!!!!
:yeah::yeah: Thank you for saying what I have been thinking!
(2) of those nurses are nurses from HeXX and the other 20 are GREAT nurses......... out of 8 doctors they are all amazing!!! (and not bad to look at either)............ Out of those 2 medical assistants.........1 is an MA from hexx....she wants to be a nurse just doesnt want to go to school to do it!! the other is pretty great!!!
So you are right !! Not every Nurse is a nurse from HExx............. there are a small few that like to reek havock on the job every now & again! :argue:
I think it DOES exist, but maybe some people tolerate it more than others?
And it also depends on where you work! ? maybe?
I have always been happy at work. I truly have seen very little to none of the things discussed here.. I find nursing to be absolutely wonderful job to have for life. I can not think of anything better. Except maybe being Annika Sorenstram. I work ER for the most part. Where the stress is probably higher than most places. But personally I love the challenge of ER. Where else can you go from taking care of a hyperventilator, to 15 minutes later you are assisting in a ventriculostomy. What can be better than all of that.
Maybe my perspective is better than most. Not as negative. You can look for the good, or you can look for the worst.
It is not neccesarily a matter of what you are looking for, it is a matter of recognizing what is there and dealing with it. One would not make lemonade if she thought she had apples. Cider maybe, but to make lemonade you would first recognize you have lemons.
It is not neccesarily a matter of what you are looking for, it is a matter of recognizing what is there and dealing with it. One would not make lemonade if she thought she had apples. Cider maybe, but to make lemonade you would first recognize you have lemons.
Mahage
My vision and perception is very good. I also make delicious cider and lemonade from scratch. I can tell the difference between apples and lemons.
Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Office, Psych.
I have always been happy at work. I truly have seen very little to none of the things discussed here.. I find nursing to be absolutely wonderful job to have for life. I can not think of anything better. Except maybe being Annika Sorenstram. I work ER for the most part. Where the stress is probably higher than most places. But personally I love the challenge of ER. Where else can you go from taking care of a hyperventilator, to 15 minutes later you are assisting in a ventriculostomy. What can be better than all of that.
I am a nurse in the prison! We have the same thing; one day we have a temp of 105.4 & urosepsis & the next a heart attack, its a stimulating job, with all sorts of twists & turns!
I am not the negative nelly but I have had nurses that were & have had the "eat their young" personality in my prison!
I am a nurse in the prison! We have the same thing; one day we have a temp of 105.4 & urosepsis & the next a heart attack, its a stimulating job, with all sorts of twists & turns!
I am not the negative nelly but I have had nurses that were & have had the "eat their young" personality in my prison!
I am happy that you havent!!
Now I see where your ID came from. That is so cool.
I have thought of doing prison work as an RN. It actually seems interesting. I have a very strong self image. I am certainly not afraid of work.
:yeah:
Bortaz, MSN, RN
2,628 Posts
No, it means that some (maybe even a lot) of nurses do it. Not that ALL nurses do it.