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]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."
Friday's clinical was THE BEST I worked with the greatest OB nurse....her projection of competence was awe inspiring she was focused on patient care she never missed a beat. Working along side her was incredible not once was she concerned whether or not I was a student; on her example, I sharpen my professional ethic.
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:
Thanks for clearing the air on that, and I do apologize if I came to a wrong conclusion about your mentoring style. I have no doubt that you are a fine nurse and an asset to our profession.
However, you did come across as being (quite) a bit egotistical; I suppose it was your opening statement of, "you don't deseve..." and then went on to say "you are only a student...", etc...
These were such negative responses to always ABC's statement, my hackles were raised.
Being an mature aged (33) student in the final year of my nursing science degree, I can say I have experienced both the 'take me under their wing' type and the 'you are nothing more than dirt under my shoe' type and not only in the nursing field. I think that I have learnt lessons from both of these types of people. Personally I believe it comes down to having an open mind, learning what you can from whomever you interact with as well as have a certain amount of respect for RNs as professionals (or people who have worked somewhere longer than you). This does not mean I allow anyone to treat you disrespectfully. Just acknowledge that they do have more experience in practical nursing and generally will have valid insights into what the job is all about. If I ever disagree about something, I have found its far better to employ tact when voicing my opinion, than outright challenging someone's knowledge. You know, the old gem 'honey attracts more flies than vinegar'. Anyway, this attitude has served me well so far..
I don't see how having the expectation of "fair" treatment equates disrespect or a challenge to another's work experience. Remember this thread is addressing how "experienced" nurses treat beginners, obviously there is cause for concern or we wouldn't be having this discussion. How long do you think a students would last if they displayed a fraction of some of the attitudes expressed in this forum...in my program not very long....its called "weeding out all non-hackers". As a future member of this profession and potential co-worker... being a novice should not equate "less than".
I would like to add a comment to the other 796 who posted. I believe there is a society of old mean, nasty, stinky nurses who like to make brand new spankin' nurses lives hell! These old bats have the knowledge to teach nursing skills, but have absolutely no interpersonal skills to relay the message. My thought is "get out of nursing!!" if you plan on making somebody else's life miserable and let the new fresh nurses make their way in life, and STOP THE INTIMIDATION TACTICS!!
I would like to add a comment to the other 796 who posted. I believe there is a society of old mean, nasty, stinky nurses who like to make brand new spankin' nurses lives hell! These old bats have the knowledge to teach nursing skills, but have absolutely no interpersonal skills to relay the message. My thought is "get out of nursing!!" if you plan on making somebody else's life miserable and let the new fresh nurses make their way in life, and STOP THE INTIMIDATION TACTICS!!
Hi pets4,
No one is going to change these nurses, so my advise to you would be to simply steer clear of them. There are plenty of nurses on the floor who would be happy to be your preceptor, I'm sure. If you are assigned to a particular nurse with a negative attitude, ask your instructor to re-assign you to another nurse. I would suggest you not go into detail, tattle-tale, if you will, simply say that there is another nurse you have in mind to shadow, something like that.
Also, I would like to pose a question to all;
How many years of nursing is required to have the coveted lable of being "Seasoned"?
I'm still considered a new grad in my unit & I get mixed reactions from nurses that have been there awhile. Some nurses are rude & don't trust you, while others after working with you or even getting report & asking the "right" questions they realize you may be right for the job. I was hired for this position for a reason! I have seen new nurses "eaten" by their mentors/preceptors while others I know have been a helpful hand. Sometimes I don't think it's always the nurse thats rude, but yet the newcomer. I have been told by A nurse that they don't believe anything you say until your a certain age or until you've worked in the unit for AT LEAST 2yrs. It's like why do I work here then? Sometimes nurses can say hateful things, but you have to learn to not take it to :heartbeat & be confident in what you know, & ask questions in what you don't.
I think that perhaps part of the problem with this situation is people have a hard time trusting others, so they don't want to hand out that 'trust card.' I believe that as with any new job you have to earn trust, & prove that your capable of doing the job you were hired. And maybe thats part of the reason why SOME nurses 'eat the newcomer.' Especially if you've been working in that unit for awhile you tend to want things done YOUR WAY. Seeing a new grad walk in the door could bring along change, & they aren't going to do things YOUR WAY which in turn I think makes people uncomfortable. Change is always uncomfortable for people.
I've never been made to cry in my unit. Although, at times people can be rude & mean. . .& it hurts, but I know that I'm capable of doing what I do. Why else would they have hired & kept me?? :) As mentioned before, be comfortable in what you know & ask questions in what you don't. With time people's attitudes change, if they don't find those that can be a support person & those are the people that will be most treasured in the work place anyways. I think knowing that this is a problem in the work place, people can change it one step at a time & mentor the new!
I'm still considered a new grad in my unit & I get mixed reactions from nurses that have been there awhile. Some nurses are rude & don't trust you, while others after working with you or even getting report & asking the "right" questions they realize you may be right for the job. I was hired for this position for a reason! I have seen new nurses "eaten" by their mentors/preceptors while others I know have been a helpful hand. Sometimes I don't think it's always the nurse thats rude, but yet the newcomer. I have been told by A nurse that they don't believe anything you say until your a certain age or until you've worked in the unit for AT LEAST 2yrs. It's like why do I work here then? Sometimes nurses can say hateful things, but you have to learn to not take it to :heartbeat & be confident in what you know, & ask questions in what you don't.
I think that perhaps part of the problem with this situation is people have a hard time trusting others, so they don't want to hand out that 'trust card.' I believe that as with any new job you have to earn trust, & prove that your capable of doing the job you were hired. And maybe thats part of the reason why SOME nurses 'eat the newcomer.' Especially if you've been working in that unit for awhile you tend to want things done YOUR WAY. Seeing a new grad walk in the door could bring along change, & they aren't going to do things YOUR WAY which in turn I think makes people uncomfortable. Change is always uncomfortable for people.
I've never been made to cry in my unit. Although, at times people can be rude & mean. . .& it hurts, but I know that I'm capable of doing what I do. Why else would they have hired & kept me?? :) As mentioned before, be comfortable in what you know & ask questions in what you don't. With time people's attitudes change, if they don't find those that can be a support person & those are the people that will be most treasured in the work place anyways. I think knowing that this is a problem in the work place, people can change it one step at a time & mentor the new!
Thanks to those who do! :flowersfo
Some people are just natually obnoxious no matter what.
I can understand why some nurses "eat their young" ahhaha. Seriously one of my friends that just finished nursing school is a know it all. I warned her to be more humble, she worked in another field before and is "highly educated" I thinks she argues a tad too much. They have had to put her in her place and she needed it. Rookie nurses and rookie cops are 2 jobs where it's best to shut up and shadow the vets. Once a person has proven themselves and that they can work within the established routine then they can bring things to the table and make suggestions. It is that showing off that is so common place in all fields now that make "old timers" rue the day the newbies ever walked in. I am not saying you are doing that but give them time to get used to you first, and just do your thing. It will all fall into place.
Some people are just natually obnoxious no matter what.
Seriously one of my friends that just finished nursing school is a know it all. I warned her to be more humble, she worked in another field before and is "highly educated" I thinks she argues a tad too much. They have had to put her in her place and she needed it.
I agree with you avalonlake. The condition of "newgraditis" is extremely annoying. New nurses who display these character traits are setting themselves up to be "eaten". Once they make a mistake, the nurses on the unit will be quick to point this out to them.
I'm not saying to be a doormat, quite the contrary, but a little humility and a slice of humble pie goes a long way!
In response to Katie 91, "nurses who display this are just setting up to be eaten?" It's the nurses that have this attitude that make it bad for those of us just trying to make our way. Most of us "new nurses" are trained differently and are probably more educated; however, the older nurses don't need to be mean to the new ones. NO ONE sets themselves up to be "eaten!"
In response to Katie 91, "nurses who display this are just setting up to be eaten?" Like he**!! It's the nurses that have this attitude that make it bad for those of us just trying to make our way. Most of us "new nurses" are trained differently and are probably more educated; however, the older nurses don't need to be mean to the new ones. NO ONE sets themselves up to be "eaten!"
While I admit I might be more educated on a piece of paper then this one or that one I do think that people who have been on the floor for 20+ years have real life education and a book can't teach certain stuff.
I am with experienced nurses on this one and I am not even one of them. Take my new graduate friend who is book brillant way past smart but she is getting on the experienced nurses nerves because she is being cocky.
I have another friend who worked as CNA, LPN, RN with AS and RN with BSN now working on her masters. She started from the floor up and knows these ropes in a way that again a book can't teach. While book education is important "street smarts" and "floor smarts" are what really keeps things running in any kind of service work whether it be waitstaff, nursing, law enforcement or anything else where tempers can run high.
I would rather remain humble and realize I have lots to learn and always will continue to learn if I ever plan to be a wise old woman instead of an old fool.
I also know I have some things I know how to do and those experienced nurses are more likely to give me a chance to truely be one of their ranks if I don't walk in with my degree in front of me like some kinda sword.
As far as meaness I agree no person should be outright mean but sometimes people have to be corrected and just because we hold a license in something doesn't mean we know the full scope of it. Sort of like a 16 year old first time driver, yes they can drive but no they do not drive as well as a person who is 45 and been doing so for years.
We become good nurses when other nurses (even the ones who don't like us) and patients say we are not when we as an indvidual decide we are good.
Sometimes nurses can say hateful things, but you have to learn to not take it to :heartbeat & be confident in what you know, & ask questions in what you don't.
Tweety, BSN, RN
36,447 Posts
I think this is simply the point that you two are going to have to agree to disagree and I would appreciate that.