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.
Nope, not buying into that sterotype either. Yes, there are some nurses like that, but to generalize the entire profession of nursing.....nope.
If I'm so unknowledgable about nursing, why do I have to precept new grads at all? New grads don't come out of school knowing it all. They rely on expert nurses to teach them.
We learn from each other.
Granted I don't have the latest up to date knowledge and I'm constantly picking new grads brains on stuff.
I get two journals, learn lots of stuff online through Allnurses, medline, etc. have taken many classes in ventilators, telemetry, leadership, trauma seminars, on and on and on. Not to mention I'm getting my BSN.
Granted there are a few of those "this is the way I've always done it for years...." kind of folks, but I find that nurses are some of the most flexible people when comes to learning new information and procedures because nursing has been such a dynamic profession. We constantly need to learn.Of course when computer charting came around that was difficult for some old timers, but that was more computer anxiety and stubborness.
Who are the instructors in nursing school, the CNS's, and educators in hospitals? Nine times out of ten it's a 30 something or a middle aged nurse who was in the trenches learning and growing throughout his/her career.
Indeed. Let's dispense with experienced nurses altogether, since our knowledge is so outdated and we are so irrelevant. Let's leave the precepting to the band new nurses, since their knowledge is so fresh.
Seriously. I have seen the reverse of what the previous poster complained of--new nurses who are so convinced of the superiority of their new knowledge that the refuse to listen to any voice of experience. That's about the time I shake my head and say, "OK" and walk away and let them sort it out when things don't turn out just like they learned in the book or the classroom.
Absolutely, of course they do. Nurses really do eat their young.
The less knowledgeable, haven't opened a book or a journal in years "I've been doing this for __ years and this is how I've always done it." types are especially hungry for intelligent, knowledgeable new nurses who are up to date on the latest techniques and information. They chew them up and spit them out.
Then they go looking for new, fresh meat.
You think that is all there to us. I dont count years, I count decades now. Am I interested in chewing you up and spitting you out , not in the least. That interferes with my GOLF. You need to remember its the older nurses who came up with and invented all your latest techniques and information. It was older nurses who came up with and implaced the 3 month to 6 month orientations that some of you get.
I've been called stupid, incompetent, acused of being a drug addict because my scrubs had some wrinkles, discredited in front of staff and patients so many times. Eyes alway rolled, nurses would make a point of talking about me when I was present, and all new staff was taught to treat me this way. I had a precentor but there was little teaching.
I'm sincerely sorry for your troubles. No one should treat you that way, and you shouldn't take it. If someone calls you stupid and all those other things then you confront them immediately and stop it using assertive techniques. If not, then you become part of the problem by allowing such behavior. Easier said than done, especially since you were knew.
Take the lessons learned and vow not to repeat history. You are worthy of so much more.
A good book is "Crucial Confrontations"http://www.mbadepot.com/partners/Crucial_Confrontations.pdf
It's common for the spouses of alcoholics to think they are door mats. You are not. So don't present yourself as one. Good luck.
Some of us take care of the new nurses. I enjoy precepting, and assisting all nurses young, new, or, whatever. I am sorry from the great field of nursing, that you have felt "eaten" in the past. Communication is the key, and I wish you happiness in a wonderful career.
Some of us take care of the new nurses. I enjoy precepting, and assisting all nurses young, new, or, whatever. I am sorry from the great field of nursing, that you have felt "eaten" in the past. Communication is the key, and I wish you happiness in a wonderful career.
Aly
Its been a while since I commented on this thread but Tweety and ashramm you both sound like great nurses.
Myself after 23 years I want out. And am taking measures to make that happen. I am 1/3 of the way through library school. Plan on utilizing my 23 years in a medical/nursing library till I'm 75. If for some reason I end up teaching a nursing course as part of my duties then I will be fine with that too.
I think "nurses eat their young" since I was a victim of that behavior earlier in my career. Alex9803 I am sorry for their behavior, BUT there is literally sweet twit any of us can do about it. Unfortunately, in another field this may not have happened. Though, there will be those who disagree with me on that.
I read one posting on this thread about the roof falling in on a carpentry crew. Surprisingly, I did not read anything about whose fault it was just what caused it. If it had of been nursing someone would have been blamed for it, probably rightly so. We must all be accountable, yet its the back stabbing, setting out to screw someone over behavior of nursing that I can't stand. One of the reasons amongst others that I want out.
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC, Agency(facility and home).
I read the article and I don't know if I agree with the writer. As if refusing to use the terminology will affect the problem. It's like calling people survivors instead of victims make a difference to the crime. Calling someone a survivor may make a difference to the person. I don't think denying that this sort of malicious group think (Nurse eating) goes on makes these "survivors" feel better. I could see where it would make us (nurses) feel better. I unfortunately have been eaten, more than once. And to my deep regret have participated in the behavior. When I didn't say it was wrong, I participated. I have been aware of this for awhile and have made a promise to myself that I will no longer say "nothing". For some years now I take the time to ask new nurses or disinfranchised nurses how they are doing and to tell them how much I appreciate them. I wish there was something else I could do. Start some kind of movement. Hold NAB meetings. Nurses Against Abuse where nurses work 12 steps to stop abusing their co-workers. I don't know the anwer, wish I did.......
Nurses are like any other group of people. We are complex and subject to variable behavior.
You will always have groups of nurses who feel new RNs must go through a hazing period. They test the new nurses and make them show their skills. They may play tricks, or insult the new person. They set up the person to see how they react. I know this happens because I have seen it and have been treated this way.
OTOH, you will always have a group of nurses that treat new RNs with respect and care. They teach, mentor, and precept. They set the person up for success. I have also been treated this way.
Likewise, you have some new staff who are entitled and feel they deserve everything they want no questions asked. The nursing shortage provides new nurses with immediate opportunities that the veteran nurses didn't get for years. This may promote the sense of entitlement in new RNs and a sense of jeolousy in veteran nurses which compounds hard feelings.
Do nurses eat their young? Some do, but they are the exception and certainly not the rule.
Indeed. Let's dispense with experienced nurses altogether, since our knowledge is so outdated and we are so irrelevant. Let's leave the precepting to the band new nurses, since their knowledge is so fresh.
Seriously. I have seen the reverse of what the previous poster complained of--new nurses who are so convinced of the superiority of their new knowledge that the refuse to listen to any voice of experience. That's about the time I shake my head and say, "OK" and walk away and let them sort it out when things don't turn out just like they learned in the book or the classroom.
Maybe what you're seeing as an attitude of "superiority" is just a new person trying to apply the knowledge they gained in nursing school or through previous experience. All a new grad has to pull from is their textbook and clinical knowledge. Just like your perception of the "new grad" having an attitude of superiority, maybe they have the same perception of your attitude as a "seasoned" nurse. I've precepted a lot of students and new grads and all of them have been receptive to what I had to teach them. All you can do is offer what you have to give. If they take it great, if they don't that's their choice. It doesn't mean they are not good nurses or feel they are superior. Maybe it's more about your perception of things then it is about what is really happening. Subjective vs objective. Subjective - of or resulting from the FEELINGS of the person thinking; not objective. Objective - without bias or prejudice. (websters) I am so tired of "seasoned" nurses acting like their OPINION is the only thing that matters and using their years of experience and relationships formed over the years in the medical field as leverage against new nurses, and then justifying it by calling new grads or new nurses arrogant or saying that they think they are superior. Come to terms with your insecurities and quite blaming the new grads for your hurt feelings. Get some prozac, councelling, whatever it takes to get out of the bubble. That's what I have to say to the nurses who like to think this way. No-one wants to throw out the veteran nurses, but you can't force a horse to drink. If new nurses aren't coming out of the educational system with what you feel is adequate knowledge, maybe you should write a letter to the BON in your area or to the schools that you feel need to provide better education.
Honestly, do you thing no-one ever felt like that about you when you were a new nurse?
I read the article and I don't know if I agree with the writer. As if refusing to use the terminology will affect the problem. It's like calling people survivors instead of victims make a difference to the crime. Calling someone a survivor may make a difference to the person. I don't think denying that this sort of malicious group think (Nurse eating) goes on makes these "survivors" feel better. I could see where it would make us (nurses) feel better. I unfortunately have been eaten, more than once. And to my deep regret have participated in the behavior. When I didn't say it was wrong, I participated. I have been aware of this for awhile and have made a promise to myself that I will no longer say "nothing". For some years now I take the time to ask new nurses or disinfranchised nurses how they are doing and to tell them how much I appreciate them. I wish there was something else I could do. Start some kind of movement. Hold NAB meetings. Nurses Against Abuse where nurses work 12 steps to stop abusing their co-workers. I don't know the anwer, wish I did.......
I read it also and I agree with you. It sounded to me like an administrative nurse acting defensive. Maybe she's one of the nurses who likes to eat their young. Thanks for being willing to own any part you may have contributed. Nurses already don't share enough support or much of a sense of community. We need to start to support one another and stand up with eachother when another nurse is treated unfairly.
What people aren't understanding is that those of us who are offended by the brand on our profession that nurses eat their young are not saying that it doesn't exist. It does exist. My 16 years in nursing doesn't convince me it's rampant enough to brand the profession. We're not acting defensive, we're acting offended.
It doesn't even say that we shouldn't learn skills to deal with bullies. We should. These are life skills everyone needs to learn. The same as we need to learn about sexual harrassment, job discrimination, etc. Because everywhere you go "it's a dog eat dog world".
What is offensive and vile is that those who get eaten brand the entire profession. What's even more offensive is so many of us in the profession embrace it as a fact ("but of course I don't eat my young, it's everyone else).
I still say the overwhelming majority of nurses play well with others.
What people aren't understand is that those of us who are offended by the brand on our profession that nurses eat their young are not saying that it doesn't exist.
It doesn't even say that we shouldn't learn skills to deal with bullies and nurses that eat their young.
What is offensive and vile is that those who get eaten brand the entire profession. What's even more vile is the profession embraces this idea as a fact.
I still say the overwhelming majority of nurses play well with others.
I agree that there are alot of nurses who are good to other nurses. The ones who don't make it hell for the ones they select out to be "nasty" with. That is why the majority of good nurses need to not tolorate bullying or poor behavior when they witness it from the ones who do bully. They came for my neighbor and I said nothing....
I agree that there are alot of nurses who are good to other nurses. The ones who don't make it hell for the ones they select out to be "nasty" with. That is why the majority of good nurses need to not tolorate bullying or poor behavior when they witness it from the ones who do bully. They came for my neighbor and I said nothing....
I absolutely agree. Fortunately I haven't witnessed any bullying, so no need for me to step up yet. As a charge nurse I promise you I will not stand by and let it happen. Professionals need to look after one another in this aspect.
Still, first and foremost the person getting bullied needs to learn the skills to stand up for themselves. It's been proven that running to management doesn't do much, only 15% of managers followup. Expecting your peers to stand up for you isn't effective either.
I was a bullied child, so I know it's easier said than done. But whining "nurses eat their young" doesn't help the situation either.
reesern63, RN
267 Posts
Indeed. Let's dispense with experienced nurses altogether, since our knowledge is so outdated and we are so irrelevant. Let's leave the precepting to the band new nurses, since their knowledge is so fresh.
Seriously. I have seen the reverse of what the previous poster complained of--new nurses who are so convinced of the superiority of their new knowledge that the refuse to listen to any voice of experience. That's about the time I shake my head and say, "OK" and walk away and let them sort it out when things don't turn out just like they learned in the book or the classroom.