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.
Hmmm, I like mine sauteed in butter with a nice hollandaise sauce, perhaps with a side of fava beans and a nice chiante.
Actually, it is really a shame that the whole profession gets this stamp on it instead of the very few, very vocal nurses that are just general b*tches and not only eat their young, but anyone else that gets in their way. Most of us are really nice people who love our jobs and enjoy teaching newbies the ropes.
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.
Whining...I guess that isn't a word a bully would use. Further a charge nurse that views compliants from staff as whining is ineffective. What a novel idea, call it whining and it makes it ok. If you turn your head when the "whining" starts you'll never really see it. Well at least you don't have to take it seriously right. Sounds like a bunch of excuses to do nothing in my opinion. I'm done with this dead end discussion.
Whining...I guess that isn't a word a bully would use. Further a charge nurse that views compliants from staff as whining is ineffective. What a novel idea, call it whining and it makes it ok. If you turn your head when the "whining" starts you'll never really see it. Well at least you don't have to take it seriously right. Sounds like a bunch of excuses to do nothing in my opinion. I'm done with this dead end discussion.
I did have a big response that I just erased. I'll let it go. I won't get defensive. Whining was a bad choice of words, and I apologize for that. By all means reporting a bully and abuse is not whining.
Otherwise, I won't say anything further since you're done with this "dead end discussion".
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.
I was never the type to be bullied
But when a person comes to me and "Whines", I believe if you whine you should also offer a solution thats acceptable to all.
But when a person comes to me and "Whines", I believe if you whine you should also offer a solution thats acceptable to all.
I wished I didn't use that word. I guess that's a reflection of what many people do to me as a charge nurse.
Nasal whine: That nurse never helps me and has a bad attitude.
Me: Be more specific and what did she say when you told her this?
Whine: I didn't tell her. I'm ignoring her hoping she'll stop. Can't you talk to her for me?
Me: Yes, I can but only after you talk to her first. You want to reheorifice with me first?
As I've said, we don't have bullies and abusive nurses where I work. A few with bad attitudes, a few who have "moments in time" where they just might be irritable or whatever, but no bullies.
My whole point of the matter is that if a nurse is "eating you", there are things you can do for yourself rather than expect management to do it for you. By all means involve management but it's probably 100% more effective if you are proactive yourself as well. Naturally if goes passed eating our young and into bullying and abuse, that's a whole nother situation that needs to be bumped up.
Also, why is it that you don't get bullied? Perhaps you've developed the skills necessary to either nip it in the bud, or be nonapproachable. Others can learn from this.
"Every nurse has a choice: Promote the negative minority or join the positive majority. It's time to turn the spotlight on the quiet heroes in our profession who do the right thing every day and invest in the next generation of nurses. It's time to start noticing and promoting what's right about nursing."
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.......
Hi - I just read the article . . it didn't say that there weren't nurses who were "eating their young" or just being rude and bullying to each other but that we shouldn't indict an entire profession because of a minority of bad apples.
Absolutely - stand up to bullies and weed them out.
But I don't accept the "vile expression" for the majority of nurses.
It seems like folks are misunderstanding some of us - we are NOT saying that it doesn't happen, just that it is not happening with most of us.
The focus needs to be, in every profession, to not allow bullies to win.
I've worked in many fields - there are bullies everywhere.
Should I therefore say that all human beings are bullies?
Makes about as much sense as saying "nurses (all nurses) eat their young".
Yes, nurses eat their young. But it's difficult not to when you are thrown students to follow you and you are running against the clock to take care of 10 to 15 patients. When can I possibly have time to teach them ? The problem is us. You have management that were CEO's at IBM that are now running hospitals with no medical experience whatsoever. And are trying to run healthcare facilities as IBM. Well guess what? PATIENTS ARE PATIENTS!!!!! NOT "CUSTOMERS" OR "CLIENTS" !!!!...I also think that nurses that have gone on into management roles are so thankful that they are off of the floor that to HELL with the rest of you!!!! Also I feel it made a big difference when mostly religious organizations ran hospitals. I think that kept the caring in the institutuion. Now it's all about numbers. The needs of the patients are dead last. We turn on each other for favoratism from management also. Who can report who that gave one tylenol instead of two and other "petty" complaints. No offense,but foriegn nurses understand this all too well. They will report you in a heartbeat if they think you bat your eyelashes one to many times...LOL!!!......to, in their opinion, make themselves look good in front of management. Anyway just some thoughts to share.
Yes, nurses eat their young. But it's difficult not to when you are thrown students to follow you and you are running against the clock to take care of 10 to 15 patients. When can I possibly have time to teach them ? The problem is us. You have management that were CEO's at IBM that are now running hospitals with no medical experience whatsoever. And are trying to run healthcare facilities as IBM. Well guess what? PATIENTS ARE PATIENTS!!!!! NOT "CUSTOMERS" OR "CLIENTS" !!!!...I also think that nurses that have gone on into management roles are so thankful that they are off of the floor that to HELL with the rest of you!!!! Also I feel it made a big difference when mostly religious organizations ran hospitals. I think that kept the caring in the institutuion. Now it's all about numbers. The needs of the patients are dead last. We turn on each other for favoratism from management also. Who can report who that gave one tylenol instead of two and other "petty" complaints. No offense,but foriegn nurses understand this all too well. They will report you in a heartbeat if they think you bat your eyelashes one to many times...LOL!!!......to, in their opinion, make themselves look good in front of management. Anyway just some thoughts to share.
Sorry Patients are patients and they are also customers, clients, and consumers in this world. You really need to accept that fact and enjoy it. As far as precepting or orientating or being a clinical guide or a clinical coach. Not all are cut out for it. They have so much extra paperwork to that role along with all sorts of ectra meetings. I dont do it. All those extra meetings interfered with my GOLF.
For every 5 or 6 nice ones there seems to be one who is rude, insensitive, and just plain mean to new nurses. I see why hospitals are understaffed when it comes to nurses. The job itself is stressful but that is to be expected. But when it comes to crabby co-workers, that's just a whole other story.
Why is there is need to belittle new nurses and to be rude to us?
Why do the mean ones stand out more than the nice ones when you're thinking about your day?
And now what should I do when I go back to work tomorrow? How do I approach/not approach this person? How do I not spend my working day feeling horrible and self-conscious?
What can I do as a new nurse to rebuild that self-esteem that I had and have now lost.
To all nurses that have been nursing for years, please think about your actions and responses to younger nurses. It's not fair to degrade us because we haven't been working as long as you have. New nurses are a valuable asset to nursing and we should be respected as such. Believe it or not, your actions do give new life to nursing. But rudeness kills the profession as more new nurses/ potential nurses leave for more satisfying careers.
And yes, I did speak with my nurse manager about a particular incident with this nurse and the NM said she has spoken with this nurse about this in the past and that she would speak to her again.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Years of crap and abuse from demanding patients, cruel family members, and insensitive doctors can really serve to encapsulate the experienced nurse. They become jaded, and I suspect it is a defense mechanism to continue coping with the harsh realities of the bedside. In other words, years of floor nursing can sometimes harden people who started out as the nicest nurses.
I like 'em with fava beans!
......to, in their opinion, make themselves look good in front of management. Anyway just some thoughts to share.
JohnBearPA
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