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.
You don't deserve any professional respect because you are only a student and have no professional credentials whatsoever yet. As a student and a team member, sure I respect you for trying to become an RN. But you can't seriously expect me to give you the same consideration as another seasoned RN that has graduated school and passed the NCLEX. Any mistake that you make while performing a task that the RN delegated to you comes back to the RN. You might fail your class or whatever but you are not 100% accountable for your actions. You have a LOT to learn.
Dear OR male nurse,
Some people out there are not even nurses. It does not make them less of human beings, deserving less respect or consideration.
I've heard this saying before, and I've seen it in other professions; however, nurses don't always eat their young. I've been fortunate to have encountered some really great and inspiring nurses during clinicals.
You don't deserve any professional respect because you are only a student and have no professional credentials whatsoever yet. As a student and a team member, sure I respect you for trying to become an RN. But you can't seriously expect me to give you the same consideration as another seasoned RN that has graduated school and passed the NCLEX. Any mistake that you make while performing a task that the RN delegated to you comes back to the RN. You might fail your class or whatever but you are not 100% accountable for your actions. You have a LOT to learn.
This school of thought is exactly why SN's shiver in their blue smocks while under the RN's tutilage. I can only quess that you are inapproachable to the new or student nurse. Perhaps I'm wrong; I truly hope so. Don't keep your experience to your self. Clearly, your cup of knowledge runeth over. I'm certain that new members of our profession will reap the rewards under your wings.
We ALL have a lot to learn. Be wary of the nurse who professes he/she know's it all, as this attitude is dangerous and self-destructive.
We must never forget that we were all new at one time.
This is the sweetest story I have read in a while. WELL DONE
I would agree with your statement about how it all comes back to us. We self perpetuate a lot of this, it is time to stop it. Glad you had the courage to do it.
:w00t:
How nice of you to say! :icon_hug:
Yes, we do have to power to stop it, as long as we are always respectful of each other no matter how many years of experience we have.
We are all in this together, fighting the same fight for the same common demominator ~ our Patients. :redpinkhe
I agree that there a few insecure Nurses that tend to be impatient/too busy to try to help/guide new nurses. I find that most try to help. I "know that I was once a new nurse". I had a great mentor. I didn't have the greatest confidence. She made me stand up,gave me the confidence. If you don't have have confidence you can look incompetent. You are too scared to think logically. There are so many different personalities to deal with. I personally am not at work to make new best friends or enemies. I stay out of the "politics" Saves my butt. If someone is downing a staff member that "I" think is a good worker I will stand up for them. Saying "sincerely" to a new/old nurse that even though the shift was brutal, they did an awesome job. Say it in front of everyone. We all need a little appreciation once in awhile. The next shift there is a more confident ,appreciated nurse to work with. Hence,Better Teamwork. What are we really there for?
You don't deserve any professional respect because you are only a student and have no professional credentials whatsoever yet. As a student and a team member, sure I respect you for trying to become an RN. But you can't seriously expect me to give you the same consideration as another seasoned RN that has graduated school and passed the NCLEX. Any mistake that you make while performing a task that the RN delegated to you comes back to the RN. You might fail your class or whatever but you are not 100% accountable for your actions. You have a LOT to learn.
As mentioned before I practice under the supervision of a seasoned clinical instructor... under my schools professional credentials...not yours. Let's review...
An excerpt of the ANA Standards of Professional Performance:
"Standard 15: Leadership
THE REGISTERED NURSE PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN THE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE SETTING AND THE PROFESSION:
Measurement Criteria
The registered nurse:
Demonstrates a commitment to continuous, lifelong learning for self and others....
...Teaches others to suceed by mentoring and other strategies."
Hmmmm... did you forget this portion of the professional standards to which you are bound to?
Sourced: Fundamentals of Nursing...Caring and Clinical Judgment
Thank you for sharing it. I read the printed material and listened to the presentation. I would consider it a must for any unit. Thank you again. :redpinkhe:redpinkhe:redpinkhe:redpinkhe:redpinkhe
If someone is downing a staff member that "I" think is a good worker I will stand up for them. Saying "sincerely" to a new/old nurse that even though the shift was brutal, they did an awesome job. Say it in front of everyone. We all need a little appreciation once in awhile. The next shift there is a more confident ,appreciated nurse to work with. Hence,Better Teamwork. What are we really there for?
Good for you!! :w00t:
We need more like you who praise in public and reprimand in private. Again, this is a simple management technique that works extremely well.
As mentioned before I practice under the supervision of a seasoned clinical instructor... under my schools professional credentials...not yours. Let's review...
An excerpt of the ANA Standards of Professional Performance:
"Standard 15: Leadership
THE REGISTERED NURSE PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN THE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE SETTING AND THE PROFESSION:
Measurement Criteria
The registered nurse:
Demonstrates a commitment to continuous, lifelong learning for self and others....
...Teaches others to suceed by mentoring and other strategies."
Hmmmm... did you forget this portion of the professional standards to which you are bound to?
Sourced: Fundamentals of Nursing...Caring and Clinical Judgment
3rd Edition
Reflect!
BRAVO!!!
I believe I said in a previous post that the seasoned nurse can always learn something from the SN. Thank you for sharing this with us
You will be not only be a fine nurse, but you'll be FANTASTIC!!
You don't deserve any professional respect because you are only a student and have no professional credentials whatsoever yet. As a student and a team member, sure I respect you for trying to become an RN. But you can't seriously expect me to give you the same consideration as another seasoned RN that has graduated school and passed the NCLEX. Any mistake that you make while performing a task that the RN delegated to you comes back to the RN. You might fail your class or whatever but you are not 100% accountable for your actions. You have a LOT to learn.
I think I understand what you're saying. Student and Professional Licensed Nurse are not the same thing. That's a no brainer. Perhaps you don't respect the students on the floor, the same as your profesional coworkers, and that's your perogative. So while the respect might not be the same, there's no need to disrespect anyone. Students should be respected for what they are - students.
But you're mistaken that if you make a mistake you stand alone. Many a hospital has paid a heavy price for the mistakes of their staff, in both monetary cost and community reputation.
Also, it's extremely rare that an RN goes down for the mistake of someone else, although we are fond of sticking our nose in the air "my license is on the line".
This school of thought is exactly why SN's shiver in their blue smocks while under the RN's tutilage. I can only quess that you are inapproachable to the new or student nurse.
You are quite wrong. The student nurses love working with me and I have been complimented many times by the clinical instructors for answering all questions and actually explaining to the student what is going on and letting them have hands on. The coordinator for my OR puts the students with me on purpose because the other RN's don't want to have anything to do with training them. However when I read the following from a student nurse:
Originally Posted by alwaysABC
I am a student Nurse and I deserve the same professional consideration as any other team member. :angryfire
I'm inclined to answer the way I did. There's nothing worse than a 2nd semester cocky SN that feels that I owe them any professional consideration. If you go and re-read what I wrote, I in fact stated that I do respect them for trying to become an RN. A student is just that, a student. They are there to learn and not feel that they "deserve" anything.
You are quite wrong. The student nurses love working with me and I have been complimented many times by the clinical instructors for answering all questions and actually explaining to the student what is going on and letting them have hands on. The coordinator for my OR puts the students with me on purpose because the other RN's don't want to have anything to do with training them. However when I read the following from a student nurse:
Originally Posted by alwaysABC
I am a student Nurse and I deserve the same professional consideration as any other team member. :angryfire
I'm inclined to answer the way I did. There's nothing worse than a 2nd semester cocky SN that feels that I owe them any professional consideration. If you go and re-read what I wrote, I in fact stated that I do respect them for trying to become an RN. A student is just that, a student. They are there to learn and not feel that they "deserve" anything.
My .02
"How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct."
ZootRN
388 Posts
Dear OR male nurse,
Some people out there are not even nurses. It does not make them less of human beings, deserving less respect or consideration.