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 to confess, I didn't read the article, but I am going to weigh in anyway.
Yes, some nurses do eat their young. I have been nursing for just over 2 years and I am done. My first nursing job was very much "swim on your own or drown". I survived barely and made it out a year later to go to work in a place that not only embraced their young, but nurtured and helped us grow. Professionally it was the best thing I ever did. (Thanks to all who helped me grow there :) )
Then, due to DH's job (he's army), we moved again. I started a new job in a small ER - I had been ICU - on the Army Post. I was there 3 weeks with 1 day of orientation. I was counsled once for "just standing around and doing nothing" (I had techs/Medics take EKG leads out of my hands and tell me it wasn't my job or I wasn't fast enough to do it. I had another one tell me I was too slow to start an IV - I hadn't even gotten the tourniquet on the pt's arm to look for a vein and she took it out of my hand.) So I went in the next day and never stood still - cleaned my own beds, didn't ask the medics/techs for a thing. I was told on Tuesday that I had improved so much and I was really catching on. I was fired on Wednesday for not learning fast enough.
My contract lead told me she felt I was thrown to the wolves, that I was set up for failure. The Major that fired me never spoke to me - not two words. The Captain that apparently had the Major's ear sent me to triage for 12 hours then complained that I was slow. My lead sent another nurse to help me - Thanks Lisa! I learned alot from you!!! :)
In the end, it didn't matter. I was thrown out to the wolves and I was devoured. Some nurses do eat their young. I am sad to say, this nurse has had it. Once you have been picked apart by the vultures, there is nothing left. I'm going back to corporate America - at least the vultures there wear wingtips that come off at night.
Goodbye, yellow brick road - turns out Oz was an illusion.
s
sara610:
I'm having "flashbacks" just reading your post. I would last three seconds in a military hospital - the military has its own set of rules, as does nursing. It would make me nuts. Some of my teachers has military backgrounds and we were like oil and water. There are jobs out there that don't have this kind of atmosphere. Don't throw away the baby with the bath water - after all, I would think corporate America could be just as toxic. My older sister started nursing what seems like centuries ago - I always wondered why she was constantly switching jobs. Then she found her niche at MGH in Boston where she has a lot of respect, loves her coworkers, and makes good money. I think it's kind of like what happens when you have a relationship with a jerky guy - it can make you think that all men are like that. I know a lot of nurses who love their jobs. What do you bet they don't have nasty coworkers? Of course they don't! This thread seems to go on and on because, yup, there are some jerks out there. I can so relate to your stories - who needs to be in an environment where you are being put down all the time? It's not good for you! Just my two cents, because I'd hate to see you have fewer options if you think all of nursing is like this. I don't know what to say about people who love to find fault with other people. In nursing, it is thinly veiled with concern for a patient's safety, but I think most times its because the person is just a bully.
Dear Sara, first I want to say I am very sorry you experienced such unkindness from some very unsupportive mentors. Let me ask a question: is nursing truly your passion? If it is, please don't allow them to steal your joy. Perhaps there's a doctor's office or some other area of nursing that may better suit you.
I realize this message is coming from someone (me) who has not had experience as a nurse yet or in the medical field, and I hope and pray that I will not have this kind of experience, but I sure did in the corporate world many times. After making a major life change and moving across country, I tried to break into the legal arena in a new geographic area (I had had over 20 years legal secretarial experience) and to my surprise and dismay, I too was thrown to the wolves and devoured. . . not only by attorneys but by the other staff as well who were very backstabbing. Every new job and superior does things differently, but they were not willing to allow me that learning curve -- to learn their style. Unfortunately, I was terminated more than once from law offices in a new area. I analyzed over and over again what I could have done wrong. Of course, I was never given a reason for termination . . . just ,that it wasn't working out. Now keep in mind that in my 20 years of experience, I had primarily worked for one particular atty for 16-1/2 years, always had excellent reviews, great repore with other attys and staff. So, I was extremely surprised at the treatment I was receiving. I decided too I had had it with working corporate. This experience is what made me rethink what I wanted to do for the next 15-20 years of my life.
So here I am at 48 going to nursing school. So far, I am loving school, have maintained a very good GPA, and look forward to being accepted into th Fall 08 program. I have been regaining my self esteem which it took a hard blow from those experiences.
Please remember you are valued. If nursing is truly your passion, don't give up. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Nurse2b: It's good that you pointed out that one can be abused in a variety of work settings. If we find ourselves in a situation that is doing damage to our spirits, time to bail! Sure, sometimes this seems so impossible. You were so right to do a "course correction" - Life is too short to be around people who make you miserable, coworkers, husbands, family members - it doesn't matter whom. (What a thought the night before Thanksgiving, eh?) Have a nice holiday!
Gosh, the nurses I work with "eat" everyone!! New nurses, older nurses, CNA's supervisors, Docs, administration..... Sometimes I like to go in to work at 4am just because it's quiet (comparably) and easier to get my work done (I'm a paperwork nurse...one of those really weird people who LOVE paperwork) because there's less back-stabbing going on. Is it because it's a female dominated profession? Or are we so stressed that this is our outlet for frustration? Going back for my RN (I'm an LPN) but sometimes wonder why.....:trout:
Gosh, the nurses I work with "eat" everyone!! New nurses, older nurses, CNA's supervisors, Docs, administration..... Sometimes I like to go in to work at 4am just because it's quiet (comparably) and easier to get my work done (I'm a paperwork nurse...one of those really weird people who LOVE paperwork) because there's less back-stabbing going on. Is it because it's a female dominated profession? Or are we so stressed that this is our outlet for frustration? Going back for my RN (I'm an LPN) but sometimes wonder why.....:trout:
I have to confess, I didn't read the article, but I am going to weigh in anyway.
Yes, some nurses do eat their young. I have been nursing for just over 2 years and I am done. My first nursing job was very much "swim on your own or drown". I survived barely and made it out a year later to go to work in a place that not only embraced their young, but nurtured and helped us grow. Professionally it was the best thing I ever did. (Thanks to all who helped me grow there :) )
Then, due to DH's job (he's army), we moved again. I started a new job in a small ER - I had been ICU - on the Army Post. I was there 3 weeks with 1 day of orientation. I was counsled once for "just standing around and doing nothing" (I had techs/Medics take EKG leads out of my hands and tell me it wasn't my job or I wasn't fast enough to do it. I had another one tell me I was too slow to start an IV - I hadn't even gotten the tourniquet on the pt's arm to look for a vein and she took it out of my hand.) So I went in the next day and never stood still - cleaned my own beds, didn't ask the medics/techs for a thing. I was told on Tuesday that I had improved so much and I was really catching on. I was fired on Wednesday for not learning fast enough.
My contract lead told me she felt I was thrown to the wolves, that I was set up for failure. The Major that fired me never spoke to me - not two words. The Captain that apparently had the Major's ear sent me to triage for 12 hours then complained that I was slow. My lead sent another nurse to help me - Thanks Lisa! I learned alot from you!!! :)
In the end, it didn't matter. I was thrown out to the wolves and I was devoured. Some nurses do eat their young. I am sad to say, this nurse has had it. Once you have been picked apart by the vultures, there is nothing left. I'm going back to corporate America - at least the vultures there wear wingtips that come off at night.
Goodbye, yellow brick road - turns out Oz was an illusion.
s
You're lucky to be out of that military environment. That is a vicious place to be if one is a civilian.
You might want to give it one more try, in a civilian hospital, you might
find that things are as different as night and day.
Aren't ICUs known for being cliquish? Maybe try working on a floor, surgical, gyn, whatever.
Gosh, I feel honored....but I'm not quite sure what it means? If I eventually "bail out", it won't be from the profession, it will be from my place of employment. Perhaps "hands-on" nursing in acute care would be more enjoyable...paperwork plus giving quality care, what fun!
I don't know you from Adam, however I've been in the military. I was a civilian nurse for 12 or so years before. They hated me (the military staff), the Captain & even some Major. The Colonel learned to respect me. I say this to say, 'We need caring & good nurses'. I admit, I know my stuff and the stuff I don't know, "I asked and don't let anyone make me feel bad for a 20 yrs experience nurse who may not know". I also admit there are some fast talking, think they know, but don't, out there in the nursing world.
My thoughts about the military is, it is great, marvelous, BUT AUTHORITY, IN THE WRONG PEOPLES' HANDS ARE DANGEREOUS. The training military must get is necessary to fight off these terrorism activities. Some military people, do not know how to separate.
It is obvious that you were in the wrong hands. To become a great nurse, YOU DO NEED NURTURING, MOST. I hope you reconsider, WE NEED NURSES.
I am also a pretty brand new nurse, I graduated in 2003. I also had a bad experience when I first started to work in my hospital. I was hired to work on the float pool, night shift. I am a med/surg RN and at that time I did not take any official telemetry course(other than what ever I learned at school!). On my very first day after completing my orientation I was sent to a tele floor. I was vey busy, little bit slow and also shy and scared. I was giving report to the day shift RN, she was asking me about the rhythm of the patients. I told her I was not a tele nurse and I honestly did not know. She started to make fun of me....she said.."Oh you dont know how to read the strips and yet you are taking care of patients on a tele floor??" I told her I thought as per policy when a med/surg RN is floated to a tele floor, the charge Nurse takes care of the strips for that RN as med/surg nurses are not trained for that. She told the rest of the gang and they all started loughing. The funny part is that during my oriention to that floor that same nurse was my perceptor.
I know the basic rhythms, but I did not feel comfortable giving her the report because as per policy the charge RN is responsible for it.
I was in tears....I told my husband I wish I did not have to work....but later others nurses told me, that same nurse is a "know it all"!!
Now when I have students or new orientee with me, I teach them everything, I give them time and I tell them its ok to ask questions and if they need help I am there for them:)
I am also a pretty brand new nurse, I graduated in 2003. I also had a bad experience when I first started to work in my hospital. I was hired to work on the float pool, night shift. I am a med/surg RN and at that time I did not take any official telemetry course(other than what ever I learned at school!). On my very first day after completing my orientation I was sent to a tele floor. I was vey busy, little bit slow and also shy and scared. I was giving report to the day shift RN, she was asking me about the rhythm of the patients. I told her I was not a tele nurse and I honestly did not know. She started to make fun of me....she said.."Oh you dont know how to read the strips and yet you are taking care of patients on a tele floor??" I told her I thought as per policy when a med/surg RN is floated to a tele floor, the charge Nurse takes care of the strips for that RN as med/surg nurses are not trained for that. She told the rest of the gang and they all started loughing. The funny part is that during my oriention to that floor that same nurse was my perceptor.
I know the basic rhythms, but I did not feel comfortable giving her the report because as per policy the charge RN is responsible for it.
I was in tears....I told my husband I wish I did not have to work....but later others nurses told me, that same nurse is a "know it all"!!
Now when I have students or new orientee with me, I teach them everything, I give them time and I tell them its ok to ask questions and if they need help I am there for them:)
Dear Shantas, I will never understand why some people feel the need to criticize and put others down and also get joy from hurting others. It is obviously a lack of security -- they are insecure and want to build themselves up by tearing others down. "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3. You are showing your true humanness and compassion by helping others, admitting when you don't know something, and learning from it, and the fact that you are a wonderful mentor to your new nurses is a testimony of your goodness. The world of nursing needs nurses like you! I hope and pray that I get a good perceptor like you!
Gosh, I feel honored....but I'm not quite sure what it means? If I eventually "bail out", it won't be from the profession, it will be from my place of employment. Perhaps "hands-on" nursing in acute care would be more enjoyable...paperwork plus giving quality care, what fun!
Nah, I just meant that every work situation has its "toxicity rating."
I heard, for instance, that ER staff are less full of the drama and intrique one could find on a unit. But you never know. I would go nuts working in a "cliqueish" environment if I were odd man out. Actually, I have, and I hated it. I once thought that this was only in the realm of small town hospitals, where many have known each other's families from birth. But trust humankind, wherever it is, to rear its tribal head once in a while. My husband is a mental health caseworker, and everybody in his office loves each other. Holiday parties where everybody shows up, no back stabbing, it's amazing. Ahh, it would be nice....
Specializes in med/surg;ortho/HD/OB;NICU/Hospice/ER.
ahh! but, you were once a "new" nurse! There has to be some good mentorship involved, right?
Hi, I am sorry for anyone's experience with experienced nursed treating their co-workers like dirt. But it happens. I had a horrible experience with nurses int he hospital I worked at as a CNA while going ot nursing school(>21yrs ago). Actually I was doing my clinicals that day and had some horrible feedback from the charge nurse. Prior to the feed back reaching me & instructor, I accompanied her to a room while she gave medications via a central line. She did not use a sterile type technique and I told my instructor about it, I had also asked her about the technique. All in all ,bottom line is, her feed back was negative and I could have gotten kicked out of nursing school for it if the instructor believed what was said. Thank goodness that did not happen. Now today I see it alot in my work almost everyday. It is less in some hospitals. But people have their own way of getting around things and being passive aggressive in their actions. They find all kinds of ways to undermine you and your work. This is they type of thing we need to stop! People that do this type of behvaior are just insecure and very very unhappy in their personal lives.
Diahni
627 Posts
sara610:
I'm having "flashbacks" just reading your post. I would last three seconds in a military hospital - the military has its own set of rules, as does nursing. It would make me nuts. Some of my teachers has military backgrounds and we were like oil and water. There are jobs out there that don't have this kind of atmosphere. Don't throw away the baby with the bath water - after all, I would think corporate America could be just as toxic. My older sister started nursing what seems like centuries ago - I always wondered why she was constantly switching jobs. Then she found her niche at MGH in Boston where she has a lot of respect, loves her coworkers, and makes good money. I think it's kind of like what happens when you have a relationship with a jerky guy - it can make you think that all men are like that. I know a lot of nurses who love their jobs. What do you bet they don't have nasty coworkers? Of course they don't! This thread seems to go on and on because, yup, there are some jerks out there. I can so relate to your stories - who needs to be in an environment where you are being put down all the time? It's not good for you! Just my two cents, because I'd hate to see you have fewer options if you think all of nursing is like this. I don't know what to say about people who love to find fault with other people. In nursing, it is thinly veiled with concern for a patient's safety, but I think most times its because the person is just a bully.
Diahni