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.
I can answer this question as a definite YES, but only some of them!! I'm a 40 yr old RN with 2.5 yrs experience in regular floor nursing, & just got off orientation in an ICU. I am so frustrated you can't believe it!!!!!! I work with many nice nurses, but also with some who won't even acknowledge my presence or talk to me unless they absolutely have to. Believe me, working with people like this for a 12 hr shift is far from enjoyable!!!!!! I can't imagine ever treating coworkers this way, and it is VERY discouraging to say the least. It is only a handful of RNs in the unit, but they are the ones who are most impacting my feelings about working there. They treat me like I am an absolute idiot and I am very unhappy about it. I am trying not to let it get to me, keep my chin up, etc., but any advice for me?
I see so much of the spirit taken from people who had an entirely different idea in mind when they chose to be in this profession. What has been lacking in the "system" that now is so short of bodies it is advertised as one of the number one professions to be in. Can compassion and caring be bought? I am wondering as times move on and the system crashes along with the rest of the world.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
I can answer this question as a definite YES, but only some of them!! I'm a 40 yr old RN with 2.5 yrs experience in regular floor nursing, & just got off orientation in an ICU. I am so frustrated you can't believe it!!!!!! I work with many nice nurses, but also with some who won't even acknowledge my presence or talk to me unless they absolutely have to. Believe me, working with people like this for a 12 hr shift is far from enjoyable!!!!!! I can't imagine ever treating coworkers this way, and it is VERY discouraging to say the least. It is only a handful of RNs in the unit, but they are the ones who are most impacting my feelings about working there. They treat me like I am an absolute idiot and I am very unhappy about it. I am trying not to let it get to me, keep my chin up, etc., but any advice for me?
Yes.....I know that working with snobs can be frustrating, I have been thru it also....But, learn what you can, listen more than talk, take care of your patients....and they will come around eventually....If they do anthing that interferes with your pt. care, then it is time to talk to someone higher up...but if they are just snubbing you...then please give it some time....seems most of us have an "initiation period" they will come around...Many of us go through a "hazing" period, it seems...I know it is absurd but it is definately true....
Keep your chin up, listen and learn and DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY.....THAT IS THE BIGGIE...If it were anyone in your shoes, they would to the same....
I am so glad to read 99% of the responses here. I had been in my prior career for 20 years and we actually, most times, worked together and got along. There may be a cross word here and there.....but we did not demean each other. We also always came back together to work as a team. I consider myself to be pretty tough since I am in my 40's and I have been employed for more than 20 years of my life.....I have just really had some disappointments in my first 2 years of nursing. I will win though....I love taking care of people (including my co-workers) too much!
Specializes in med surg, geriatric, clinical, pool.
I can answer this question as a definite YES, but only some of them!! I'm a 40 yr old RN with 2.5 yrs experience in regular floor nursing, & just got off orientation in an ICU. I am so frustrated you can't believe it!!!!!! I work with many nice nurses, but also with some who won't even acknowledge my presence or talk to me unless they absolutely have to. Believe me, working with people like this for a 12 hr shift is far from enjoyable!!!!!! I can't imagine ever treating coworkers this way, and it is VERY discouraging to say the least. It is only a handful of RNs in the unit, but they are the ones who are most impacting my feelings about working there. They treat me like I am an absolute idiot and I am very unhappy about it. I am trying not to let it get to me, keep my chin up, etc., but any advice for me?
I used to work agency and this one nursing home I went to quite often there was a nurse who I could never figure out, sometimes she would talk to me and other times it was as if I didn't exist.
So one night I was coming on 11-7 following her from 3-11. I thought I have got to do something to see where this nurse stands with me. So she just happened to mention that something needed to be ordered, so I piped up and said "anytime you need something just let me know". That seemed to cure the problem.
Maybe it was because I was agency and so many agency nurses act like they don't have to "do that" because they are agency.
I would just be nice and kill them with kindness cause an ICU is no place for nurses not to get along! Granted we should all get along because it only makes sense to. I could never understand your prediciment either. Here you have a compassionate field filled with backstabbing, grumpy, hateful, insulting nurses, why?
One morning I was at the end of the 11-7 shift and these nurses begin to come into this same nursing home and they are complaining like crazy and I am tired from doing a double, finally I told them "why don't you get another job since you don't seem to be happy here?" They looked at me! and said, "you have been around us too long". When I get disgusted with something or someone I take it, but eventually the truth comes out whether I like it not, its like a whole different me! sometimes it ain't so good either. I just get to a breaking point.
This always works, give back to them what they dish out! Guaranteed to work.
I told this one CNA to get vitals for me, he started making jokes about she wasn't his pt then oh yeah she is his pt, no she is not. After eating at break time I got him in a room and said, "you would not talk to me like that if I were a man", he said, "yes I would,"I said "no you wouldn't because I would beat your ass in the parking lot after work if I were a man because a man would not take your crap." He quit! Good ridence too
After 6 months, I've learned who's OK & who's crispy/deep fried. Only one that I try to avoid. She never smiles or laughs. The way she looks at me when I give report makes me want to check for a bat in the attic or spinach in my teeth.
I can answer this question as a definite YES, but only some of them!! I'm a 40 yr old RN with 2.5 yrs experience in regular floor nursing, & just got off orientation in an ICU. I am so frustrated you can't believe it!!!!!! I work with many nice nurses, but also with some who won't even acknowledge my presence or talk to me unless they absolutely have to. Believe me, working with people like this for a 12 hr shift is far from enjoyable!!!!!! I can't imagine ever treating coworkers this way, and it is VERY discouraging to say the least. It is only a handful of RNs in the unit, but they are the ones who are most impacting my feelings about working there. They treat me like I am an absolute idiot and I am very unhappy about it. I am trying not to let it get to me, keep my chin up, etc., but any advice for me?
slightlyseasoned3........I empathize with you. I have worked in places where NO nurse would speak to me for an eight hour shift when I was a hospital to hospital float. I finally talked with one nurse who told me her feelings, truthfully. She was angry that I made more money than her by being a float. She had a BSN. I told her I felt my salary compensated for the stress of changing hospitals on a shift by shift basis and that I was there to help. Getting the feelings out in the open relieved the pressure of the unspoken vibes. At the time I was an LPN.
After many years of dealing with the individual egos in nursing and having grown personally, I now just address, directly, the discomfort I feel with the individuals that share it with me. Even if there is no dialog or admission of the behavior, it gives the responsibility back to those who are perpetrating the behavior. Something will be revealed as to why they are carrying so much animosity towards you. It's saying "I am aware you have problems with me." I see it as a diffusion technique. I also make known to this type of individual that I am aware of my lack of knowledge in the new setting and that I allow myself at least a year to gain a comfortable level of competence. I then perform the skills I do have, incorporating the new knowledge, to the best of my ability. I remain kind and friendly while in the work setting.
This also helps me not take the situation personally which is a great attitude to assist us in remaining open and compassionate in our world.
Specializes in med surg, geriatric, clinical, pool.
Nurse never eat their young. This is a fallacy promoted to keep from working as a team.
You nurse in a fantasy land hospital! I have eaten so much that when I went to work I was ready to fight whoever, whenever or however! YOU just happen to be a lucky one!
Nurse never eat their young. This is a fallacy promoted to keep from working as a team.
The only reason I haven't been swallowed is I give off toxic acid when bitten! Many attempts have been made. If anyone manages to swallow a piece of me, I plan to see that they get a severe case of c-diff!
slightlyseasoned3
1 Post
I can answer this question as a definite YES, but only some of them!! I'm a 40 yr old RN with 2.5 yrs experience in regular floor nursing, & just got off orientation in an ICU. I am so frustrated you can't believe it!!!!!! I work with many nice nurses, but also with some who won't even acknowledge my presence or talk to me unless they absolutely have to. Believe me, working with people like this for a 12 hr shift is far from enjoyable!!!!!! I can't imagine ever treating coworkers this way, and it is VERY discouraging to say the least. It is only a handful of RNs in the unit, but they are the ones who are most impacting my feelings about working there. They treat me like I am an absolute idiot and I am very unhappy about it. I am trying not to let it get to me, keep my chin up, etc., but any advice for me?