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.
31 years and I think I am pretty laid back. I work the OR and it has it's up and downs for new people. I have no problem in trying to help new people and remember my first few years and smile back on the days when I had some really good people on my side and taught me a lot that I carry today. I look at the fresh faces and see the intense willing to learn and it isn't right to extinguish this glimmer of hope in them by being mean. These people are going to be taking care of me and my family in the near future and I want them as prepared as possible!
Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.
Wow, I couldn't disagree more. I have only been a nurse for 3 years and most of the nurses I work with are my mom's age. Yes, everyone has their "grumpy" days, but most of the experienced nurses that I have worked with have been more than helpful and nice to me. It is helpful to have a nurse with 20 or 30 years experience that you can go to for questions. The best thing about experienced and older nurses is that they never make me feel put down for the questions that I do have.
A big THANK YOU to the experienced nurses out there. You guys rock!
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.
So sorry this happened to you, abundantjoy.
I sure do know what you're talking about because although most of our new nurses are awesome, there are also new nurses who "test" and who have know-it-all attitudes or superiority complexes, and who act like no one else knows anything about nursing. :uhoh21:
Granted, those are in the minority, but I've run across a few and they scare me more than anything because they're overconfident and hard to teach.
I have no idea why the nurse you describe is so mean, but I can only assure you that you can go back with your head held high and ready to learn. You sound like the kind of new grad I'd get along with very well, so don't let the meanies get you down. Most of the time, their anger and resentment have nothing whatsoever to do with you, so don't take it personal and have as little to do with them as possible. You have enough stress in your life.
Let us know how it goes, ok? You'll find a lot of support here.
Most have been pretty nice in my experience as a NS. There have been some god awful mean ones but I have no idea how much nursing experience they have some were young so probably not that much. Rude mean people come in all shapes, sizes and ages and with varied amounts of experience. We used to laugh that some of the worst know it alls and rude people in the hospital were nursing students who were further along in the program than we were.
In my experience, as a lowly student I must add, age or experience has no bearing on whether the nurse is mean or not. In my clinicals I've worked with expert nurses who treated me like dirt and I've worked with expert nurses who have literally pulled me out of the hall to observe a particularly interesting procedure. I've also worked with novice nurses who have looked down on me when I asked a question about a pts. condition or treatment plan, and others who have engaged me in conversation to help me work it out based on knowledge I already had. You speak of this one nurse who has been giving you a hard time. How many other nurses are on the floor? how many of them treat you well? concentrate on those, and always keep this nurse in the back of your mind as someone you don't want to turn into.
On a personal note, I love the expert nurses I'm working with this summer and I am always learning from them, whether it has to do with nursing or not. Bethern, I would caution you (as well as joy) not to make generalizations, some of us really do want to learn from you, and would be happy too, we may just be shy or not want to "bother" you with pesky newbie questions. It took me probably 2 years of clinicals before I broke out of my shell and really started asking questions or joking around with staff. Then I found my clinical rotations went by faster and were much more enjoyable.
Have patience with us novices, whether you realize it or not, you experts can be intimidating
Flip side: why are new nurses such know-it-alls? Why do they think that we oldies are useless pieces of humanity that need to be retired because the newbies assume that, because we are oldies, we cannot possibly be up to date on all the current practices. Why, when we do something in a different manner than Newbie was taught in school, does said Newbie say rather loudly, "That's not how I was taught to do it."?
To all nurses that just passed the NCLEX, please think about your actions and responses to older nurses. It's not fair to degrade us because we were working when you were still in diapers. Old 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 old nurses leave for more satisfying careers.
I haven't come across any outright mean older nurses. I do work with one who is in her 60's and she is very particular about pt care and charting. But I contribute that to "old school" nursing. I'm not implying she's old and shouldn't be working but that when she went to nursing school things were different than they are now. Nurses years ago gave up their chairs so dr's could sit down. There was less comadarie (sp?) between nurses and dr's. Times have changed and maybe they prefer the old ways. Nothing wrong with that.
Mean people are everywhere. It's a fact of life. Some are just born unhappy and some are unhappy with their jobs or lives. Maybe this particular nurse is tired, jaded, and sick of putting up with the lack of respect. Maybe she has issues at home.
Next time you see her pat her on the back and ask her if everything is ok. Bring her chocolate or a donut and tell her she looks like she needs a break. It's easier to be mean than it is to be nice and I don't like to do things the easy way.
Flip side: why are new nurses such know-it-alls? Why do they think that we oldies are useless pieces of humanity that need to be retired because the newbies assume that, because we are oldies, we cannot possibly be up to date on all the current practices. Why, when we do something in a different manner than Newbie was taught in school, does said Newbie say rather loudly, "That's not how I was taught to do it."?
To all nurses that just passed the NCLEX, please think about your actions and responses to older nurses. It's not fair to degrade us because we were working when you were still in diapers. Old 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 old nurses leave for more satisfying careers.
Good post.
But Tazzi, you're not old!! Old is a state of mind.
Flip side: why are new nurses such know-it-alls? Why do they think that we oldies are useless pieces of humanity that need to be retired because the newbies assume that, because we are oldies, we cannot possibly be up to date on all the current practices. Why, when we do something in a different manner than Newbie was taught in school, does said Newbie say rather loudly, "That's not how I was taught to do it."?
To all nurses that just passed the NCLEX, please think about your actions and responses to older nurses. It's not fair to degrade us because we were working when you were still in diapers. Old 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 old nurses leave for more satisfying careers.
Quit taking the words right out of my mouth!
I was thinking of starting a thread about "Cocky Young Nurses", but then I thought that management here might take a dim view. :trout: Now, I need to go eat some young for breakfast...
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
Personally, I love the "old crusty crotchety" nurses. They're my favorite people to work with. Nothing shocks them, they always have the answers to my questions, and you always know what they're thinking. Usually, underneath the tough exterior is a very dedicated nurse with a dry sense of humor that can be misunderstood by those who are more sensitive.
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shodobe
1,260 Posts
31 years and I think I am pretty laid back. I work the OR and it has it's up and downs for new people. I have no problem in trying to help new people and remember my first few years and smile back on the days when I had some really good people on my side and taught me a lot that I carry today. I look at the fresh faces and see the intense willing to learn and it isn't right to extinguish this glimmer of hope in them by being mean. These people are going to be taking care of me and my family in the near future and I want them as prepared as possible!