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.
Nurse's can be very cruel to each other. They do not like to train new employees, because it takes up their time. When the new employee does not learn quick enough, they rat on them. I have seen nurses set up by administration and terminated. I have seen so many heartless things through out my career as a nurse. Very sad. When are nurses going to realize that we must stick together. Then working conditions would improve. No, most only look out for themselves. Do not get me wrong I have worked with very caring nurses.
i realize that this thread started long ago. i was here back then as well as now. hopefully older and wiser. nurses do eat their young and each other. i don't know if it is a healthcare thing or a female thing or just politics.it is really sad tho. maybe this next generation can change things.
Yes nurses do. The older and more experienced they are the worse they get as well. I’ve seen many studies done that show 80% of nurses leave their first position within the first 6mths because of nurse to nurse hostility. I find it worse among women.
Old cranky nurses are everywhere and (if you let em) they will eat young old or anyone else in their way.
its not just the veteran nurses who do either. I am only a new grad, but I have witnessed new nurses act so cruel and callously to students on the unit in clinicals. Embarrassing and disappointing because they just literally graduated from those same shoes.
Sadly, what I am about to say may really rub some people the wrong way. Hell, it even rubs ME the wrong way, but I'm going to say it.
Nursing is a profession dominated by women. If it is to EVER improve, it should probably be dominated by MEN.
Women are catty, vindictive, overly emotional and unforgiving martyrs. Men see the problem, attack it, fix it, and forget about it. Men do not suffer guilt, do not take responsibility for what isn't theirs.
I've worked for men outside of nursing, and you just didn't have these problems and dilemmas. Under women in nursing, I am appalled at the lack of insight and unprofessionalism. Women just seem to go on and on, taking on more than they should, allowing themselves to be continuously spent and abused by whatever power in charge and even by those underneath them. Men wouldn't put up with it for a New York minute.
And I'm probably one of the biggest Uber Feminists I know.
I could just see it if most managers were men and most new grads were men -- they'd be protecting and propping up their "sons" like you've never seen. They'd pump them FULL of confidence and sit back proudly while their boys would hit the mark everytime. They'd band together to form strong teams ... the atmosphere would be highly competitive, but confidence building .. .not destructive in nature. There would be "atta-boys" given on the spot, continously. That's how men operate. That's how women operate, even outside of nursing. But nursing? Forget it. It's a whole different operating system.
I agree with you Sound of Music. I'm a new LPN and the way some of the women behave is crazy. Even other new grads. Luckily for me there are some great ones as well. The 3-11 shift on one of the floors I work on is supervised by a man. It's the most cooperative, helpful shift/unit in the facility. I too consider myself a feminist. It is only recently that feminists are beginning to write about the cruelty among women. Phyllis Chesler's book "Women's inhumanity to Women" is a great eye opener. Just published in 2000. Since then there are many books about "mean girls" and the like.
I am learning that being humble, working hard and taking nothing personally is the way to go. Ask questions of those who are helpful and be grateful for the time they give. And NEVER participate in bad mouthing other nurses. NEVER. If you genuinely think another nurse is causing a pt harm, approach her directly or let it go. NEVER bad mouth other nurses. Never. We are working under extraordinary pressure, impossible corporate run health care where patients are little more than cash cows to administration. We have to care for one another with love as we care for those we nurse.
I have worked with unhappy women in other areas. So it is not exclusive to nursing, but being a mostly female industry... Yes, bring in the men. No BS, get the job done, people cared for.
After 3 months I am just beginning to feel a little more comfortable. I love love love being a nurse, no one will take that away from me. I fall in love every day with patients. Blessings to all of you and please lets all support one another. :redbeathe
I am seeing more new grads coming in with more confidence, almost to the point of being cocky........showed one a med error and how best to avoid it happening again and she just glared at me.....??????? I was shocked......here I was trying to help her and it backfired !!!!!!!!!!
they must hear so much about nurses eating their young that they are now on the defensive and not going to take any help..........so be it.........
I will still help those that want it and keep on going.....
Agree ...many new grads are placing all interaction they don't like, into 'the eating the young' basket. They are not understanding what bullying really is. They need to think about the interaction .....was it rude? is the person generally nasty? was it my perception? is it a generational difference?
is it cultural? is it my attitude?.
There are a number of reasons for a negative interaction.....most of which are not bullying.
Quite a few students are very cocky and know-it-all ....defensive, rude or just impersonal. Their own attitude may be contributing to a less-than- stellar response from more experienced staff.
These people are not going to get the support they need ....the team support that helps prevent THEM from making mistakes.
They need to take responsibility for their own attitude and perception.......as well as established staff improving their behaviour
Sadly, what I am about to say may really rub some people the wrong way. Hell, it even rubs ME the wrong way, but I'm going to say it.
Nursing is a profession dominated by women. If it is to EVER improve, it should probably be dominated by MEN.
Women are catty, vindictive, overly emotional and unforgiving martyrs. Men see the problem, attack it, fix it, and forget about it. Men do not suffer guilt, do not take responsibility for what isn't theirs.
I've worked for men outside of nursing, and you just didn't have these problems and dilemmas. Under women in nursing, I am appalled at the lack of insight and unprofessionalism. Women just seem to go on and on, taking on more than they should, allowing themselves to be continuously spent and abused by whatever power in charge and even by those underneath them. Men wouldn't put up with it for a New York minute.
And I'm probably one of the biggest Uber Feminists I know.
I could just see it if most managers were men and most new grads were men -- they'd be protecting and propping up their "sons" like you've never seen. They'd pump them FULL of confidence and sit back proudly while their boys would hit the mark everytime. They'd band together to form strong teams ... the atmosphere would be highly competitive, but confidence building .. .not destructive in nature. There would be "atta-boys" given on the spot, continously. That's how men operate. That's how women operate, even outside of nursing. But nursing? Forget it. It's a whole different operating system.
Don't feel bad about admitting this! I'm a female as well and I agree with you 100% The only time I have enjoyed working with other women is when they had a more masculine personality which is what I have.
However I feel that a mostly male dominated environment would have it's drawbacks as well. Men have that pride in them that at times I believe can be worse than a woman's emotional hysterics (notice I said 'At Times'). I have sat in on many projects and meetings with the false assumption of thinking things would get done only to have them all start gunning for the alpha male position and turn it all into a big pi**ing contest over who could do what better. My husband also works at a company were 98% of the workers there are men and it's a pretty hostile work environment. Him and his friends always have stories of fights breaking out, screaming matches, throwing, kicking and punching things and one of a supervisor cheering on a fist fight instead of breaking it up!
So I think both sexes have their pros and cons and a workplace needs a balance of both to level the hormonal playing field.
Some are nice and some are really mean. Just like some new grads are really fun to train while others are a pain in the butt. Part of the probably is is that most often nurses are not asked to train a new grad, it is just expected of them. Not only are some people not meant to train, but when you don't want to but you are expected to then I can imagine it would be hard to be nice. New grads take time, can get you behind in your work, the nurse training is going the new nurse a favor.
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amg5686
11 Posts
Nurse's can be very cruel to each other. They do not like to train new employees, because it takes up their time. When the new employee does not learn quick enough, they rat on them. I have seen nurses set up by administration and terminated. I have seen so many heartless things through out my career as a nurse. Very sad. When are nurses going to realize that we must stick together. Then working conditions would improve. No, most only look out for themselves. Do not get me wrong I have worked with very caring nurses.