Do Nurses Eat Their Young?

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We have all heard the saying "Nurses eat their young". Do you feel this is true?

Please feel free to read and post any comments that you have right here in this discussion

Thanks.

This article sums it up for me... ?

http://www.dcardillo.com/articles/eatyoung.html

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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.

So....I finish my orientation and immediately start floating. It was a nightmare! My first night floating (it was 16 years ago now and I still remember it!) -I saw things (equipment, procedures, MD orders, etc) that I had never seen before, and I had no idea what to do! Things went downhill fast! I was soon drowning, overwhelmed and struggling. After a short time of this, it was apparent to everyone that I needed more orientation. I was re-placed back on orientation. Now this was the extra frustrating part, administration treated me like something was wrong with me! That is was me! That I was slow, stupid or whatever to have to need more orientation. They said they would be watching me very closely to see if I was competent enough to be a nurse! Again, being young and green, I believed them. I thought I was a total failure.

I had almost decided to quit, and go back to school for something else. But MY PARENTS really came behind me with support and encouragement. They told me to give nursing a little more time. Really, only because of them, am I a nurse today!

I am going through what you been through 16 years ago. I did not have a good preceptor for orientation. They treated me like they want to kick me out of the workplace. The administration and co-workers are treating me like I am so stupid. I am about giving up on nursing. I doubt myself now and I still have a year left of my bachelor program in nursing to go. :madface:

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
only when I am hungry and with A-1 sauce:lol2:

No really I don't in fact I go out of my way to teach and assist. I do know some that aren't always kind, but I don't think eating really fits.

and a side of jalapenos

Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Orenda--don't let anyone rain on your parade! And definitely don't work there after graduation. You can also feel free to warn others about the place.

I just hate it when grouchy people waste a newbie. I hope they remember it when they want to retire and there is no one to give report to on the last day!

Hang in there!

Thank you for this,some nurses cdo eat their young.I have a case in mind nurses who convert from RN-BscN.Their in charges deny them time to go to school and they do not embrace the changes these nurses bring with them.They sarcastically refer to them as "Nurses of today" who talk about critical thinking,concept maps,rationales etc.Yes some nurses do eat their young.

Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.

Ive never been eaten but that's probably bc I dont believe in that saying. If you dont believe in it, when a difficult situation presents itself you don't see it as getting "eaten" but more of an isolated incident. So if nurseJoy is nasty with me, I don't think...Ohh I'm being eaten! No, I think, gee why is she nasty? Is it bc she is stressed out and needs help? Is it bc she's tired? Maybe she just doesn't like me for some personal reason unknown to me..or maybe she doesn't like new grads..whatever, but that's nurse Joy, she is one person, who for a billion different reasons was nasty to me on that day. No matter what the reason, why focus on "am I being eaten?" instead of: how can I use my communication skills to diffuse/solve this situation. I mean, it's just like using therepeutic communication with our patients, nonjudgemental statements, reflection, you know all that stuff we learned in NS?...always take the high road and eventually nursenasty might not be so nasty. Problem solving people. Stop making generalzations about all nurses, as I am a nurse and I do not eat anything that walks and talks.

Specializes in Emergency Room.

It depends if there is barbecue sauce handy..... :uhoh21:

I have never posted here before however, this one got my attention. I have been a nurse for a little over a year now and I love all of the "seasoned" nurses. They have taught me so much more than I could have ever learned in school. I work in LTC by the way. We have a low turnover and most nurses have been so for 15+ years. They have helped me with everything. I look up to them and am thankful everyday to have such a great team.

Specializes in ICU, Tele. M/S.

They do where I work.....Nursing is my second career so I am not the average YOUNG, TENDER easier to swallow new nurse....but I have had the most miserable experience in my first 8 months of my career as a nurse......I worked 20 years prior to getting my nursing degree as a hospital employee in a different occupation, but I LOVED patient contact and honestly.....ALL I WANT TO DO IS TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE.....

You already have family issues, patient issues, Dr. issues and tons of other stuff you are learning about how to deal with.....and even yesterday it was funny.....a nurse was getting report about a patient that was a RETIRED nurse.....and the whole room went NOOOOO!!

But they do tend, "the experienced nurses" to not back anyone, or even try to jump in when the STUFF hits the fan.....its almost as if I were a scorned leper standing out alone in the middle of the nurses station while this MD was screaming about one of his patients getting transfered. NO ONE would help me....NOT even my PRECEPTOR, she went and hid..................

So all I WISH for is another place or finding another job that at least the nurses can communicate like ADULTS....... sorry had to spill my guts on this one.

:uhoh21:

P.S. I would do ANYTHING to help anyone in a tense situation like the MD screaming at me, but I guess the experienced nurses needed a toothpick after chewing on the other young on my floor!

Specializes in Med-Surg.
They do where I work.....Nursing is my second career so I am not the average YOUNG, TENDER easier to swallow new nurse....but I have had the most miserable experience in my first 8 months of my career as a nurse......I worked 20 years prior to getting my nursing degree as a hospital employee in a different occupation, but I LOVED patient contact and honestly.....ALL I WANT TO DO IS TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE.....

You already have family issues, patient issues, Dr. issues and tons of other stuff you are learning about how to deal with.....and even yesterday it was funny.....a nurse was getting report about a patient that was a RETIRED nurse.....and the whole room went NOOOOO!!

But they do tend, "the experienced nurses" to not back anyone, or even try to jump in when the STUFF hits the fan.....its almost as if I were a scorned leper standing out alone in the middle of the nurses station while this MD was screaming about one of his patients getting transfered. NO ONE would help me....NOT even my PRECEPTOR, she went and hid..................

So all I WISH for is another place or finding another job that at least the nurses can communicate like ADULTS....... sorry had to spill my guts on this one.

:uhoh21:

P.S. I would do ANYTHING to help anyone in a tense situation like the MD screaming at me, but I guess the experienced nurses needed a toothpick after chewing on the other young on my floor!

We can't read your mind. If you need help and are busy and can't handle it, as an adult you need to learn to ask others for help, rather than presume they know what's going on and be upset with them for not stepping up to the plate. Yes, they might see you running around, but still wouldn't it be easier to ask for help.

It's your battle as well when your dealing with "screaming" doctors. Thank God I've never seen a doctor scream. As a charge nurse I probably would step up beside my nurse and help to deal with the situation. Sometimes though when a doc is talking to my staff, is angry about something (like I said I've never heard them scream), I let them deal with it themselves. I have my battles and they have theirs.

The first year of nursing is very tough on all of us. We learn to stand up to docs on our own, we learn to organize ourselves, and we learn to ask for help. Or we burn out and bemoan that nurses eat their young, and then you become a nurse that in turn eats their young forgeting what it was like when you were young yourself.

Specializes in ICU, Tele. M/S.

Wow, thanks, that was supportive......and by the way I DID ask for help from the CHARGE nurse who was also my preceptor in the begining....and she told me that she had no idea what I was talking about and did not leave her seat in the break room.....THAT is why I stated that I hope this is DIFFERENT from other locations I choose to work for when my year with this ball and chain is UP. Experience.....ahhh that sure makes a difference.

Wow, thanks, that was supportive......and by the way I DID ask for help from the CHARGE nurse who was also my preceptor in the begining....and she told me that she had no idea what I was talking about and did not leave her seat in the break room.....THAT is why I stated that I hope this is DIFFERENT from other locations I choose to work for when my year with this ball and chain is UP. Experience.....ahhh that sure makes a difference.

You may just be working in an atmosphere of people who are not helpful. I'm very sorry about that.

We aren't all that way.

I would definitely start researching another place to work.

And let your preceptor know she let you down. And don't take any crap from a rude doctor. Or anyone.

I became a nurse at 40. I've worked in many different jobs and there are good atmospheres and bad.

Even when I was in school, I proctored for an anatomy professor for a couple of years. There were good classes and whiny classes.

At my daughter's high school, her class has an inordinate amount of mean girls. The class behind her is full of very nice girls who get along well.

It ebbs and flows . . .. . .

The point of this "sticky" is that generalizing and saying "nurses" eat their young is wrong.

Best wishes.

steph

Specializes in ICU, Tele. M/S.

i was not generalizing, actually i just answered the poll and replied based on where i work and my experience.....we do have an opinion on the "poll" questions don't we?......so please don't take it so personally.....:clown:

thanks for your advice and best of luck in vietnam!

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