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.
I have a question...Why do new nurses not respect the knowledge that they can get from the older nurses? We went to nursing school too and have a lot of experience that we would be glad to share with you if you would let us.
funny, i thought that might end "...so helpful, willing to teach." sorry, but in my experience at work, the older nurses have been absolutely wonderful!!! they are willing to answer questions, walk me through a new procedure, help me when i feel like i'm sinking.
yay for the experienced nurses who have been in the trenches for years and want to help those of us with less experience!!!
For every 5 or 6 nice ones there seems to be one who is rude, insensitive, and just plain mean to new nurses.
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.
The NM said she has spoken with this nurse about this in the past and that she would speak to her again.
I'm an old nurse. I feel like the one out of 6 who is rude and insensitive does not apply only to old nurses but to "all" nurses. I have worked with young snippy nurses who think they know it all. Since this particular older nurse has been called on this issue before, whatever her age, it seems like shes the one with the problem. Don't let her get you down. You don't owe her anything. Remind her that she does not sign your check.
I think you could ask that same question in any profession really. Some people are moody, some are plain mean, others are having a bad day at work or home.
Learning to handle the meanness in other people is the key point. Rather than ask "Why are older nurses so mean", maybe you should ask yourself "What can I learn from this person or how do I handle the negative feelings I feel when around these type of people".
I haven't had a lot of exposure considering I am still a nursing student, but I don't think its "older" nurses persay, it is nurses in general. You will always have one or two nurses who seem jaded and uncaring. If I ever get to that point, hopefully I have the self-awareness to realize it and switch my career focus.
I'm sure next time you go to the grocery store and somebody is rude to you, or when some guy in traffic flips you off for no reason at all, or when you call your mortgage company to ask a question and the person on the other end of the line acts like you're an idiot, or when one of your kids' teachers thinks your kid should get "Student of the Month" and another calls you and suggests you aren't as good a parent as you should be because your kid acted up in class that day, or when you go to a public restroom and somebody lets you cut in line - because you really have to go, or when you drop your keys in the parking lot and some kid chases you down to give them back, or when your mail carrier says "Have a nice day," or when some patient calls you a b*tch and when your significant other says, "I love you," you'll rethink your question.
I think "1 in every 5 or 6" is pretty good. Do you really expect 100% of all the people you meet to be what you want them to be?
Consider yourself lucky to have 80% of your senior coworkers be nice -- and you have a manager who is willing to address the problem of the 20% who is not. That's really pretty good -- more than most people have in life.
There are mean, nasty, unhelpful people everywhere you go. And there are nice, helpful, bend-over-backwards people in all those same places. Like Dutch said, that nasty nurse doesn't sign your check. She is not your boss and should not be allowed to ruin your day.
Where I am, the older (20+ years of experience) nurses are so willing to help us younger ones out on just about anything. And, I with my measly 6 years of experience, try REALLY hard to help out the newer folks. I remember what it was like to not know your butt from your elbow. So it's not everybody, I promise, though some days it seems like it. We are not all nasty. We do like to help.
One or two bad apples don't speak for the rest of us. Chin up! :)
I think "1 in every 5 or 6" is pretty good. Do you really expect 100% of all the people you meet to be what you want them to be?
Consider yourself lucky to have 80% of your senior coworkers be nice -- and you have a manager who is willing to address the problem of the 20% who is not. That's really pretty good -- more than most people have in life.
I agree.
I always love these threads. Like people start working as a nurse and are suddenly shocked that there are difficult people in the world!
Come on! We run into meanies everywhere and sometimes even everyday.
At the ripe old age of 39 I am finally realizing that someone's mood has nothing to do with ME and everything to do with THEM.
If they're mean that's something they are dealing with. I'm not going to let it hamper me. Nope.
I'm an old nurse. I feel like the one out of 6 who is rude and insensitive does not apply only to old nurses but to "all" nurses. I have worked with young snippy nurses who think they know it all. Since this particular older nurse has been called on this issue before, whatever her age, it seems like shes the one with the problem. Don't let her get you down. You don't owe her anything. Remind her that she does not sign your check.
I agree that some new nurses have a chip on their shoulder, which is not a good thing when you're brand new. I think new nurses should have no problem asking questions, but some act like they really know it all already. On the other hand, I know what the original poster is talking about, older or experienced nurses can be rude...but so can ALL kinds of nurses. I had an "older" nurse basically tell me she didn't like how I interacted with a family, and how a more experienced nurse should handle them...LOL! I've ONLY been doing this for 17 years!! But she has been doing it for about 30, I guess. Give me a break.
I confronted her about it, and she admitted some wrong-doing and now I choose to not speak to her, esp. since she was "new" to our unit when she treated me this way. Sad.
barbyann
337 Posts
Why are patients so mean.....for every 5 or 6 nice ones there is one mean, rude, nasty one.
It's just life in general. Stress and illness bring out the worst in just about everybody.
BTW, why are doctors so rude? For every one nice polite one there are 5 or 6 brooding powder kegs waiting to explode.
Bring the nasty nurse a donut tomorrow and tell her have a good day. She might need the boost.