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 School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..
If you don't think nurses eat their young, just read some of the posts on various boards here. You can not vent, you can not cry, you can not have a bad day or bad expierence without somebody telling you how wrong you are. And yet, we continue onward. Saying to ourselves "I will never treat anybody that badly". I have had my head handed to me more times than I can count. Now, I just read, post occasionally, and send private messages to those I think need a hug or encouragement.
Specializes in OB, L&D, Geriatrics, Peds, MedSurg.
Dear Jesse,
As they say in the realty business. There are only three things that matter:
1. Location
2. Location
3. Location
Good luck and keep up the great attitude. Just DO not allow yourself to be victimized. Students are people too...Yes, even nursing students...:redbeathe
Thanks! I believe I am a very positive person or at least try to be all the time due to life experiences. And there is no way another nurse, whether professional or fellow student, is going to prevent me from learning. I have come up to nurses that just don't want students at all. I am sure it's just because they have a routine and a student will throw them off. I was told just two days ago by an experienced nurse, " no nurse likes to have a student. Trust me, when you get your numbers you wont want one either. It's not cruel it's the truth". See thats something that may turn someone off or cause them to get angry, however, i knew I can easily turn around and find another nurse that would be glad to be shadowed. Not only did I find two nurses that taught me a lot and I made there shift much easier, but I also shadowed two doctors, whom taught me and explained in much more detail.
I truly mean nothing or no one will prevent me from learning.
Yes, it's 100% true. I agree with the person who said they eat their young AND each other. I have never been that way..but can't seem to escape it in this field.
If you don't think nurses eat their young, just read some of the posts on various boards here. You can not vent, you can not cry, you can not have a bad day or bad expierence without somebody telling you how wrong you are. And yet, we continue onward. Saying to ourselves "I will never treat anybody that badly". I have had my head handed to me more times than I can count. Now, I just read, post occasionally, and send private messages to those I think need a hug or encouragement.
So true! I always seem to have that one mean, bitter, ol' nurse following me and talking to me like I'm an idiot for thinking outside of the box. I try not to let it bother me, because it is just a forum, but it's a terrible reminder of how the nursing field really is like.
If you say ANYTHING about it, you're being "too sensitive" or "just can't deal". Remember, in nursing we are conditioned to put up with the abuse and accept it as normal! Dare you show your "human" side.
Specializes in Long term care, Rehab/Addiction/Recovery.
I have always looked at new nurses as my allies for the future. If you take your time with them, teach them, help them and mentor them they will be the first ones at your side when things go to hell. New grads can be frustrating because there is still so much for them to learn ( as there is so much for us old nurses to learn too.) I try to remember that I was a novice once too. We can teach each other and the patients will be the ultimate winners.
Pam
:yeah:You are probably am excellent preceptor!! I still remember mine, so many years ago(24) on my first floor a heavy Neuromedicine floor. She was an excellent Nurse, and took pride when I did well. In fact all of the Nurses I worked with on that floor, with a few exceptions were excellent-LPN RN's. I believe that was due to many factors: They were very understaffed and truly appreciated the help. I think now in these "No job" stressful times it fosters a dog eat dog mentality. No more shortage like when I started, for sure! I have experienced this mentality of Nurses being "feral, competitive and generally unhelpful" in this new generation. Not nice. We were always busy, overstaffed, but we helped each other..that's how we got thru the day. Now you get the sense, "Why was she hired? Is she gonna take my job?" Pitiful! I have always enjoyed working with new Nurses, yes you can teach them organizational skills, technical skills, Life Lessons. But, remember Be open you never know what new info they can teach you!
Obviously it all depends on the nurses personality. I'm sure a majority in the 'Eat Our Young' club would be miserable no matter what position they were in be it at a restaurant scrubbing toilets to running their own business. I think they could win the lottery and still complain it's not enough money.
I honestly believe it's a self esteem issue with that group. They feel (or really are ) incompetent and now here's this new grad that is full of questions and watching everything you do like a hawk.
"Is she going to report me for taking those short cuts?"
"I have no idea how to answer that question she asked me!"
"Are they going to get rid of me now that she's here and new?"
Of course they never express this. Instead they bully. How to keep that newbie from reporting you? Report her first! Really don't know the question? Snap "You should have learned that in nursing school!" Want to keep your job? Make her look incompetent. Simply project all your failures, mistakes and worries onto her.
Of course there is the flip side were new grads can be snotty know-it-alls and rub everyone the wrong way. To them I say it's all in how you present yourself. Which do you believe is the better answer?
Nurse: *Finishes dressing a wound.* For this case we'll say she did a good job.
New Grad: I think you did it wrong because that's not what we learned in school! We did it this way! Proceeds to go on long text book driven ramble.
Or she could have replied:
"Wow you did a really nice job dressing that wound. I just have a question about a certain step because I learned A and you did B and was wondering what the difference is?"
See what I mean? Anyway that's just my two cents on the topic. I personally know that I have to throw my management 'I have an idea to make everything better' persona out the window when I start because no one is going to go for that!
I always do my best to frame my questions like this "In nursing school we learned to do x, then y, then z. You did x, then z, then y. Would you mind explaining the rationale for doing it the other way?"
No matter how nice or polite or respectful I am, my preceptor was completely un-accomodating. She literally chewed me up and spit me out. She also was all "I don't have to do this you know." Do what? "Precept you. I don't have to precept you." Well then DON'T for heaven's sake!
I had a *wonderful* experience while I was working at the VA in their summer hire program. The nurses there were fantastic, helpful, knowledgable, patient, and kind. They didn't let me get away with anything and even though none of them had to, they took me under their wing and showed me some really really great stuff.
Now this facility I'm in and the floor I'm on is staffed by unmotivated demoralized nurses who absolutely 100% (save for 3 or 4) eat their young. It's gotten to the point where even after 8 shifts I wish my conscience would allow me to quit and run away. I literally cry before I go in to work because nobody there wants anything to do with me.
I've seen the other side of the fence and can say that sometimes nurses are awesome, sometimes they eat their young.
I know how you feel. Hang tight, WHILE you seek employment elsewhere. Perhaps the VA is hiring - you stated that was a nice place to work. I can't believe how SO MANY nurses eat their young.. and their OLD too! It's a real shame. We're so overworked and understaffed... no wonder we're all barking at one another. Just wish things would change, but they haven't so far, and don't see management making any plans to do so. Ugh. Anyhow, that's no excuse for backstabbing/demeaning/or just plain being nasty to your coworkers.
I hope you find a nurse that takes you under her wing there, at least to hold you over until you find your dream job. {{hugs}} because I know how it feels.
Dare you show your "human" side. 
BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN
1,019 Posts
If you don't think nurses eat their young, just read some of the posts on various boards here. You can not vent, you can not cry, you can not have a bad day or bad expierence without somebody telling you how wrong you are. And yet, we continue onward. Saying to ourselves "I will never treat anybody that badly". I have had my head handed to me more times than I can count. Now, I just read, post occasionally, and send private messages to those I think need a hug or encouragement.