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.
Have you seen in staff meetings or small groups, nurses being critical of a new hire? Few are quick to stand up for new people but most have no problem believing the negative, even if they have no personal reason. It is very easy to critisize a new person, especially a new grad. Of course they are going to be slower than the experienced staff. Of course they don't know everything. A nurse with a low self-esteem can quickly and easily boost their own ego by comparing themselves to a new person but they have to point it out to everyone else or it does their ego no good. This is why I think some nurses eat their young.
It's human nature to watch the new guy, judge them, and even talk about them, new grad or not all eyes are on you when you start a new job. I'm not saying that's right. Most people are really neutral, they say hi and go about their business, not rolling out the red carpet, but just doing their own thing. I agree sometimes people don't give new people a break and are quick to judge. Makes them feel better about themselves.
No, I've never been in a staff meeting where the team was criticizing another member. Shame on anyone for talking about another in a staff meeting. Shame on the leader of the meeting for allowing it and shame on you participants for listening and saying nothing.
That phrase will continue until it is no longer the norm. This survey shows that it does indeed happen to most nurses. Eliminating the phrase will at best be a palliative treatment. We are making excellent strides. I think we need to keep the phrase alive until nurses are known to be the most nurturing and caring profession for a beginner.
That phrase will continue until it is no longer the norm. This survey shows that it does indeed happen to most nurses. Eliminating the phrase will at best be a palliative treatment. We are making excellent strides. I think we need to keep the phrase alive until nurses are known to be the most nurturing and caring profession for a beginner.
I think its unrealistic to believe ALL nurses become nurses because they care about people, and to expect that some, hopefully at few are in it just for a job, for the money, glory? prestige?. Not much prestige in being a waitress. The same could be said about someone becoming a doctor or dentist. Also I have worked with nurses that dont want to work with someone new if it means more work for them.
I did start my first nursing job on the night shift, and some recommend on start on that shift, since usually its less hectic. Finally, if the hospital, does not provide adaquate staff to make up for the extra time it may take to train someone, it makes it harder on everyone. I cant blame someone for feeling frustration if they have to do their own assignment and have to stop to help me.
I think its unrealistic to believe ALL nurses become nurses because they care about people, and to expect that some, hopefully at few are in it just for a job, for the money, glory? prestige?. Not much prestige in being a waitress. The same could be said about someone becoming a doctor or dentist. Also I have worked with nurses that dont want to work with someone new if it means more work for them.
I did start my first nursing job on the night shift, and some recommend on start on that shift, since usually its less hectic. Finally, if the hospital, does not provide adaquate staff to make up for the extra time it may take to train someone, it makes it harder on everyone. I cant blame someone for feeling frustration if they have to do their own assignment and have to stop to help me.
I'm missing something here. What you said seems unrelated to what I said...why did you quote me?
I'm missing something here. What you said seems unrelated to what I said...why did you quote me?
Sorry my mistake. While I agreed with what you said,there was no need to quote you. I have been to free with using the quote feature. Its also 4 in the morning in california, and I should be asleep now.
No, I've never been in a staff meeting where the team was criticizing another member. Shame on anyone for talking about another in a staff meeting. Shame on the leader of the meeting for allowing it and shame on you participants for listening and saying nothing.
Yes I was infuriated to learn this had happened at a charge nurse meeting at my hospital. It was horribly unproffessional and I really don't think much of our leadership for not only allowing it but participating at some level by listening. They just couldn't resist the lure of dirty laundry. Pathetic.
Why would I contradict your experience. You were there, I wasn't.
Now if you said something like "all nurses instructors are from hell and eat their young", then I'd jump down your throat. LOL
Interesting you had no training in social skills. We had lessons in "therapeautic communication" and assertiveness training. We were even videotaped and played back and critiqued. God I hated that part with a passion. It was quite a learning experience.
Seriously though, most of us are adults by the time we reach nursing school and social skills are basically intact by then.
Just yanking your stetheoscope, Tweety! I should have put a or something after it.
Oh, we did have the thearapuetic thing - i.e. Client: "I want to kill myself" , Nurse" "You want to kill yourself????" often followed with , "If you get this on the NCLEX, this is right answer. Come to think of it, there was a silly assertiveness class where we'd pretend that somebody dated somebody's boyfriend, and how we'd play that out. I agree, it didn't do the job for me, because let's face it, when the aggression is coming from above, one doesn't get too assertive.
While I agree that we should know this stuff by adulthood, many of the students in my program hardly had any social skills at all. And as for those on top that shall not be mentioned:
Specializes in Women's Specialty, Post-Part, Scrub(cs).
As a relatively new nurse....just over a year experience and VERY new to the field of L&D nursing....Let me just say...I have finally come to understand what the term "Nurses eat their young" mean. It became crystal clear to me 3 days ago. Fortunately, I was not the "young" they were eating!! They seem to be eating each other. And all of them good friends!!! What I finally came to realize was that things were very busy, very hectic, and babies were popping out like popcorn. The unfortunate travel nurse who could not hang with the schedule got eaten alive. Right there in front of me. I stayed out of the way until things settled down and just did what was asked of me or found the pleasant RN Applicant to help me if I did not know how to do a task. It was SCARY for several hours. My old instructor was there with students (who were also staying out of the way). I talked to her for a while and she made me feel better. By the way, she was one of the toughest instructors and would chew you up and spit you out without thinking. I believe that older nurses want new nurses who will not buckle under pressure and pressure occurs everyday. They are tough to weed out the ones who are not genuine about nursing. They have no time for wannabees. I respect this...I have learned alot in a short period of time because I had to and they have thanked me for being a help to them and because sitting in the break room with them is not scary. They are quite human and likable. I think the eating of the young comes from "survival of the fittest" much like in nature. Only the strong survive and only the strong need to survive to ensure the integrity of the nursing field. Some of the weak minded are working and patient care suffers because of it. Maybe, I have just looked at this the wrong way....but I think the older nurses have something for the newbies to learn. I am taking it for what it is worth....Not getting eaten...hehehe
To paraphrase another poster. If you don't hear "nurses eat their young" at your facility - it is only because the nurses at your facility are too polite to speak with their mouths full.
To paraphrase another poster. If you don't hear "nurses eat their young" at your facility - it is only because the nurses at your facility are too polite to speak with their mouths full.
Now that was truly funny. Reminds me i have to learn how to do bumpter stickers
or something after it.
Tweety, BSN, RN
36,457 Posts
It's human nature to watch the new guy, judge them, and even talk about them, new grad or not all eyes are on you when you start a new job. I'm not saying that's right. Most people are really neutral, they say hi and go about their business, not rolling out the red carpet, but just doing their own thing. I agree sometimes people don't give new people a break and are quick to judge. Makes them feel better about themselves.
No, I've never been in a staff meeting where the team was criticizing another member. Shame on anyone for talking about another in a staff meeting. Shame on the leader of the meeting for allowing it and shame on you participants for listening and saying nothing.