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.
Some individuals do, but not all. I heard a story that an experienced nurse constantly yelled at a brand new nurse as a way of communication and only made negative comments which elevated the new's anxiety level and suppressed her normal function. The ending was the old successfully ate the young. These individuals may not mean to eat their young but sadly they do.Watch out and call for help, if ever feel being eaten.Remember, once everyone was new, and then one day everyone will be old. I believe most nurse are very caring of thier young, but the ones who are eating will make scars and make people say: "Yes, they do".
All I have to say is those NURSES that eat the newer nurses,(the young) should NOT be nurses at all!! Because that tells me alot about what kind of human being they TRULY are. I wouldnt want them as a NURSE or as a friend. It takes a very special person to be a nurse. AN ALL-AROUND CARING PERSON!!!!!!!!! :)
I haven't figured out why we as a profession have such difficulty including and inviting others in. This hostility is seen in our inability to be collaborative with other disciplines, it is seen in our unwillingness to see our organization leadership as help mates and as being on the same page working towards the same patient goals as we, it is seen in our expressions of low self esteem in our day to day interactions. The bottom line is many, not all of us, are feeling less than and it plays out in how we mentor others. I know the profession is capable of better and I have faith that we will reach our maximum potential. nanacarol
To the new LPN grad, I don't think it is a sistuation who should or shouldn't be a nurse as much as it is a situation of the individual feeling safe in the profession. Nurses are bombarded with the idea that "anyone can be a nurse" and that gives a feeling of paranoia, of I can be replaced. The response is one of protection of self. Find someone who is comfortable encouraging you and go from there. nanacarol
For each of you who say that "nurses eat their young", how many of you interfere with it happening and defend the nurse being eaten? How mny of you do stand up to the poisoned tongued nurse who is berating the new/inexperienced/less seasoned nurse? Only by standing up to witches each and every time will our profession lose this identity. We can not tolerate this type of behavior either individually or as a group; it is each and everyone of us' responsibility to do this each and every time it happens.
I appreciate this comment.
I am not sure that some comments that scar a newbie is exactaly heard by everyone. Most of the comments that have been thrown in my direction are in report. I have had senior nurses imply that I have not done it right or not enough. Those are hard comments to over come as a new nurse who is not so confiedent/confiedent. I have discussed these issues several times with nurses that I trust and know without a doubt that have my back. Their response it to give it back. I just feel like that is not professional. I want to respect myself by doing the right thing. It is a catch 22, what is the right answer. How does a newbie defend themself without being disrespectful?
I am not sure I depend on my seasoned nurses to tell me how to do something. Or substitute there knowledge for researching issues myself. However, where I think it would resonable, is to offer guidance. There have been many times that I have had questions I knew the answers to. I just needed the reassurance from someone who was a bit more experienced then myself.
I always offer my assistance, not only to help out the patients, but to help out my fellow nurses.
However, where I think it would resonable, is to offer guidance. There have been many times that I have had questions I knew the answers to. I just needed the reassurance from someone who was a bit more experienced then myself.
Of course that's reasonable. When I was a new grad I was able to always find someone that could help guide/direct/reassure me.
I wouldn't remain working at a place where you can't find someone that can guide you and answer your questions or where the manager lets that kind of behavior go on (disrespectful comments, etc).
CANNABALISTIC PROFESSION. I NEVER HEARD OF MD'S EATING EACH OTHER IF ANYTHING THEY HAVE EACH OTHER'S BACK. WHILE SOME NURSES PREFER TO EAT EACH OTHER'S BACK. SPEAKING FROM WHAT I EXPERIENCED.
I have briefly glanced at everyone's responses. I guess everyone has a different opinion - what a wonderful world we live in that we can agree to disagree and in my opinion that is wonderful. My short experience as a nurse is different from yours and yours and yours. We all have different experiences. For those of you that have never had negative experiences - great for you!! For those of you that don't believe me - I am only speaking from my experiences. I am, however, very fortunate, that I work with a wonderful team - on most occasions they are willing to teach and help out - mind you, not only newbies - but other more experienced nurses. It was my pleasure to recently work on my floor with a more experienced nurse - an ICU nurse - who was only there to help for the day. She really thought that I was a seasoned nurse and kept coming to me with questions. Of course I helped her with her questions and anything else she needed. Toward the end of the shift she was shocked that I was a newbie and asked me how I did it everyday - she actually told me that she could not handle the patient load that I handled and help out a fellow nurse with a smile on her face. Hooray for me! On my floor I am known for that - the nurse that will never, ever loose her cool. No matter if the earth is falling down around me - I will take care of my patients and help my fellow nurses if I can - all with a smile on my face (not a fake smile either) In fact management has taken note and I have overheard them saying that they should keep all the new nurses and fire the older nurses ( I am sure they were joking - so don't reply with negativity to this)
I will never, ever, forget a preceptor that told me once - you have your good days and you have your bad days - but the best days is when you actually feel that you have made an impact on someone's life - when you have actually helped them. I think about that every day. And yes as a newbie I have those days. Good luck to all of you.
When I first heard the expression it was actually from a doctor, but it made so much, maybe too much, sense. And while the nurses I have encountered so far are mostly just taking large bites of their young, they certainly waste no time devouring the aides by the the handful.
luce2008
22 Posts
Some individuals do, but not all. I heard a story that an experienced nurse constantly yelled at a brand new nurse as a way of communication and only made negative comments which elevated the new's anxiety level and suppressed her normal function. The ending was the old successfully ate the young. These individuals may not mean to eat their young but sadly they do.Watch out and call for help, if ever feel being eaten.Remember, once everyone was new, and then one day everyone will be old. I believe most nurse are very caring of thier young, but the ones who are eating will make scars and make people say: "Yes, they do".