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 am an new LPN in a LTC facility and this is my secound month on the floor. I am very fortunate to work with a couple of good nurses that don't mind to help but, there are a couple that make it almost a nightmare to ask them questions. They are condistending and act in a almost superior holier than thou attitude. I want to be a great nurse that will someday be able to help new nurses. YOU older nurses that's been at this a while ANY ADVICE ON... how to communicate better is appreciated Because on 7p-to 7a we take care of 69 residents between 2 LPNs and one LPN that works from 7p-11p and 3 CNA 's I feel that communication is vital. But when you have one that puts up a barrier that it's a waste of there time to help it takes the level of care on a downward spiral
Specializes in Geriatrics, med/surg, LTC surveyor.
It is a very sad thing but you are right. There are nurses who are really mean to newbies. I can remember it and it's been a long time ago. The communication issue may not have anything to do with the fact that you are new. I know some nurses who just think they know it all, period. Scary. Noone knows it all. There is always something we don't know. I hope that your manager is supportive. I always took my newbies under my wing and helped them as much as I could. Nurses also act that way when you are new on the job too sometimes. It is usually the ones that are secretly insecure.
I'm a nursing student and I was doing a rotation in the ICU. I actually had an older nurse introduce herself to me and said, "i'm one of those nurses that eat their young..i'm like that."
To which I replied, "then you can eat me for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!" That really shut her up in a hurry and she left me alone :yeah:
I'm a nursing student and I was doing a rotation in the ICU. I actually had an older nurse introduce herself to me and said, "i'm one of those nurses that eat their young..i'm like that."
To which I replied, "then you can eat me for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!" That really shut her up in a hurry and she left me alone :yeah:
Ok as a student this blog concerned me a little. It's hard being new and not knowing anything. I understand this is probably hard for nurses. Some people love teaching others not so much. I was wondering if being a cna while waiting to get in the nursing program is beneficial. Will a cna learn a lot more by watchin, or will it be about the same as a typical new nurse without the experience.
LeighAnn 757, THANK YOU!!! As much as we'd like to think it doesn't happen, IT DOES!!!! New nurses are not looking for anyone to be "maternal" but in ANY work environment there's a learning curve that our mentor is SUPPOSE to help us overcome. Old school nurses need to stop acting like they own the damn LTC, acute care or whatever. YOU were in our shoes at one time...
I have only had 1 nurse who was not so nice to me when I was in school. She wouldn't even let me talk to the patient I was assigned to! So I had to ask the charge nurse to switch to me a different nurse and give me a new patient.
I love teaching and I look forward to the day when I will be assigned a student nurse.
CANNABALISTIC PROFESSION. I NEVER HEARD OF MD'S EATING EACH OTHER IF ANYTHING THEY HAVE EACH OTHER'S BACK. WHILE SOME NURSES PREFER TO EAT EACH OTHER'S BACK. SPEAKING FROM WHAT I EXPERIENCED.
M.D.s' also to some extent "abuse" their new partners. where I work new md associates are given too many pt assignments and are often on call even after hours. In addition, they're kept in house cleaning the mess while their senior partners are in their office catered by their NPs, RN, APs. Furtheremore, In many cases a inpt will have multiple physicians handling the case. In my experience, M.Ds' usually pass the buck to the other and another in making decision and giving orders especially on noc shift. when I use to work noc shift I would always hear this "just wait in the morning when Dr so ans so make rounds to take care of the problem" Or " Why wasn't that taking cared of earlier".
Usually those nurses that "eat their young" are the ones who are burnt out of the profession. If you're a new grad try to request a preceptor who possess a great attitude about their profession and has a nurturing mentality NOT destructive. Don't be affraid, NOT all nurses eat their young, only a few practice this sort of malignant behavior.
If you are currently with a "witch" nurse request for a new one you've seen in the unit who are compatible with your belief in pt care delivery
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
usually those nurses that "eat their young" are the ones who are burnt out of the profession. if you're a new grad try to request a preceptor who possess a great attitude about their profession and has a nurturing mentality not destructive. don't be affraid, not all nurses eat their young, only a few practice this sort of malignant behavior.
if you are currently with a "witch" nurse request for a new one you've seen in the unit who are compatible with your belief in pt care delivery
and often those "young" who claim they're being "eaten" aren't so much being eaten as being given negative feedback that they aren't competent enough to to understand is actually legitimate. while i understand that many preceptors don't give negative criticism well, newbies ought not to let that stop them from considering the criticism itself and perhaps making the requested change in their practice. so many people just starting out have evidently never been given negative feedback in their lives . . . they don't know how to take it and complain about the delivery rather than considering the content.
and often those "young" who claim they're being "eaten" aren't so much being eaten as being given negative feedback that they aren't competent enough to to understand is actually legitimate. while i understand that many preceptors don't give negative criticism well, newbies ought not to let that stop them from considering the criticism itself and perhaps making the requested change in their practice. so many people just starting out have evidently never been given negative feedback in their lives . . . they don't know how to take it and complain about the delivery rather than considering the content.
i see this a lot as well. many new nurses come into my operating theatre, they argue back at me, are constantly defensive and simply cannot accept constructive criticism. i have all the time in the world for someone who will accept responsibility for their actions, but a lot of people i've noticed are constant victims and it's never their fault.
example: yesterday i went to lunch, came back and found an instrument tray (that was actually used during the operation) outside the room. this is against policy and i quietly each told the two novice nurses in the room that they shouldn't have done this in case the count was incorrect. well, you'd think that this would be a lesson learned. nope, the both blamed the other person and didn't seem to care. i had to tell them both in the end that this is basic or knowledge and i'm concerned that both of you have been here a year and don't know the acorn and hospital standards. found out later from someone else that i'm a big meanie.
:yeah:
iwanttobeanurse101
7 Posts
i am an new LPN in a LTC facility and this is my secound month on the floor. I am very fortunate to work with a couple of good nurses that don't mind to help but, there are a couple that make it almost a nightmare to ask them questions. They are condistending and act in a almost superior holier than thou attitude. I want to be a great nurse that will someday be able to help new nurses. YOU older nurses that's been at this a while ANY ADVICE ON... how to communicate better is appreciated Because on 7p-to 7a we take care of 69 residents between 2 LPNs and one LPN that works from 7p-11p and 3 CNA 's I feel that communication is vital. But when you have one that puts up a barrier that it's a waste of there time to help it takes the level of care on a downward spiral