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.
Mostly agree, but if the "old birds" are not up on current issues, and refuse to continue educating themselves not only do they jepordize their own licenses, but risk mine being called in to the courts. While there are many helpful nurses for sure, I have yet to meet a nurse that was not a preceptor who has the time or inclination to explain many details. Much of this is the facilities handiwork and the "shortage". I work at a small hospital where even the NM is putting out memos to be nice to new hires. What does this say about our profession? Let's just face it, with the technical advancements and ladder climbing, we are no different than an Ad Agency or Sales businesses. The world of nursing is getting competetative (careful my spelling sucks) and anyone thinking it is an easy ride where everyone stands together is going to be shocked. I also think this is why nursing is getting better. In my minimal experience in nursing there are no handouts and no warm touchy moments with other nurses, they are as competetive as anyone. No one looks out for the newby unless they are paid to do so.
Nursing is getting competative....We all know there is a cap on nursing salaries, and we've all felt a little angry when a new graduate makes not much less than we do. Maybe senior nurses are resentfull and feel the new graduate should earn their wage.
Nursing is getting competative....We all know there is a cap on nursing salaries, and we've all felt a little angry when a new graduate makes not much less than we do. Maybe senior nurses are resentfull and feel the new graduate should earn their wage.
Recently they raised the new grad salary and my employer decided to give ALL RN's a raise (which of course upset the LPNs, but they aren't hiring them anymore either) and I thought was a nice way to handle it. They haven't always done that, but it is a bit discouraging to stay with an organization for years and git piddly raises while a new grad walks makes nearly the same.
Still that's no reason for nurses to eat their young.
You should make every effort to make sure she knows you Thank her. I mentored the unit manager I work under, she thanks me all the time, it feels good. PS we don't eat our new nurses, but I do notice where we don't foster them by sharing our knowledge and experiences with them. Is is jealousy, fear for our positions/licenses/reputations/who knows.
you made some valid points, however, i'd like to elaborate on a couple in which i disagree.
mostly agree, but if the "old birds" are not up on current issues, and refuse to continue educating themselves not only do they jepordize their own licenses, but risk mine being called in to the courts.
i agree that some older nurses are not always up on current trends, mostly of the technological nature. i am very guilty of this, as i am resistant to change, as a lot of us are. i was taught a certain way and it is forever carved into my memory. for example, the use of the anti-microbial patch used on picc sites. i hate them because the insertion site is covered and early signs of infection can be missed. there are many other arguments i have with this patch, but for now, suffice to say, i refuse to use them.
while there are many helpful nurses for sure, i have yet to meet a nurse that was not a preceptor who has the time or inclination to explain many details. much of this is the facilities handiwork and the "shortage". i work at a small hospital where even the nm is putting out memos to be nice to new hires. what does this say about our profession? let's just face it, with the technical advancements and ladder climbing, we are no different than an ad agency or sales businesses.
i would vehemently disagree with you five years ago, but now i agree with you wholeheartedly. it's truly a shame how the profession has evolved into dog-eat-dog, throwing our co-workers under the bus and blowing out others candles to make ours shine brighter kind of scenerio.
the world of nursing is getting competetative (careful my spelling sucks) and anyone thinking it is an easy ride where everyone stands together is going to be shocked. i also think this is why nursing is getting better.
how would you explain why nursing is getting better by standing alone and being competitive?
in my minimal experience in nursing there are no handouts and no warm touchy moments with other nurses, they are as competetive as anyone. no one looks out for the newby unless they are paid to do so.
i disagree with you on this one. yes, the handouts are rare, for sure, but the warm touchy moments truly out-number the cold heartless ones.
and i think it is our nature to nurture, so guiding the new nurse is rewarding for most of us, most of the time.
you made some valid points, however, i'd like to elaborate on a couple in which i disagree.
i agree that some older nurses are not always up on current trends, mostly of the technological nature. i am very guilty of this, as i am resistant to change, as a lot of us are. i was taught a certain way and it is forever carved into my memory. for example, the use of the anti-microbial patch used on picc sites. i hate them because the insertion site is covered and early signs of infection can be missed. there are many other arguments i have with this patch, but for now, suffice to say, i refuse to use them.
okay, but tell me why they still tape over the iv site? i guess what is the worst is that they treat you like your stupid for knowing what is current.
i would vehemently disagree with you five years ago, but now i agree with you wholeheartedly. it's truly a shame how the profession has evolved into dog-eat-dog, throwing our co-workers under the bus and blowing out others candles to make ours shine brighter kind of scenerio.
how would you explain why nursing is getting better by standing alone and being competitive?
with out competition and being self sufficient there would be a stasis. many fortune 500 companies use competition to increase sales and productivity. can they be wrong? can you truely depend on anyone at work to have your back. these peole are not friends, they are co-workers. this is a job not a life.
i disagree with you on this one. yes, the handouts are rare, for sure, but the warm touchy moments truly out-number the cold heartless ones.
with the patients, i agree. professional does not equal mushy. i am not talking about compassion either. just the fundamental seperation that saves lives because we are not emotionally invested in the patients daily life.
and i think it is our nature to nurture, so guiding the new nurse is rewarding for most of us, most of the time.
nursing is the greatest of professions, allowing technically excellent professionals the opportunity to work where they can make a difference in a life. the difference of life and death. my view may be off, i have only worked in a hospital for 2 years and it is a small hospital. but when nursing instructors and even the don is talking about how nurses need to be nice to the new hires it is a great statement to the profession as a whole.
i just don't understand why nursing is viewed any different than any other profession when it comes to dealing with co-workers. a large amount of women in one place seems to bring out the finger pointing.
Here's a whole new slant on the "thread that refuses to die"!!!
I just read in a New York Times article that said about 75 percent of people with jobs have been harassed by either a boss or a co-worker. Hmmmm.
Looks like there's a whole lot of this going on out there. Yes, I've been hassled mightily by nursing instructors and colleagues. And yes, I have argued with Tweety online about this. (He doesn't like to perpetuate a negative sterotypes about nursing, and I'm beginning to see how important this is for the profession.) Let's face it, whether you're talking about a poor kid on the playground or somebody in the work place, it's so important for all of us to have the skills to deal with it. Is it your boss? I think if your boss is this way, either suck it up, or find another job. Bullies happen. Probably the most important thing for us is to learn the skills we need to stop it from happening to us, as well as support those who it is happening to. Bullying is one sad part of human nature, but we can deal with it, don't you think?
I think we can deal with it, because the majority of us do deal with it. Most people are adults and can handle adult situations. Most of us work about 30 or more years in our life and are at one time or another going to come across what some people define as being harrassed. It's part of living. It happens not only on the job, but in traffic, in the grocery store and at school. It can be a vicious cycle because I doubt the 25% are the one's harrassing the 75%, some of that 75% harrass others in return to.
I've had more than one incident of "harrassment" myself. I went up the chain when I thought my assistant manager was wrong for criticizing me in front of others when I was a new nurse. What I could have done was whined and cried "nurses eat their young". What I did instead was deal with this one incident and grew and moved on. I thought about quitting this job because of this person, but hung in there and dealt with it. It wasn't easy because after I reported her to the manager she wrote me up for a something unrelated and was real catty about it at the time. That person is now my boss and we get along like brother and sister and have worked together nearly 16 years.
In those 16 years I've had literally thousands of interactions with nurses on a daily basis and probably 90% of them are neutral day-to-day business interactions and 9% are fun and social and maybe 1% are negative. Guess I'm lucky not to be constantly harassed, belittled and yelled at. Don't get me wrong, when I am belittled or harassed it can ruin my day and put me in a negative funk for sure, but I can't say the person harrassing me is representative of nurses.
BRAVO- Catlady!! I totally agree with your response!! I see that some "new bloods" think they are soooooo smart-BUT- when it comes to a "crisis" situation, they stand, back and let the "old birds" take over. After that- I have found- they "come around" and start to see that they aren't all that "smarty pants" after all and truly do want to learn. I, myself, embrace a "newby"- unless- I "detect" a "tude"- then, unless it invovles a pt's safety, the newby will sink- staying 3-4 hrs after shift to finish charting for instance. We were all newbys at one time- I, however, have excellent "ol birds" to guide me! We are all there for the benefit of the pt- if it's the $$ they want?? Go be a stripper-I want to help those that may someday-take care of us!-
My goodness, the CATS have their claws out. Why would you think that allowing a newbie sink or swim is a testament your providing QUALITY patient care? We are evaluated as a group, not as individuals, so if patient care takes an additional 3-4 hours after shift's end YOU surely have not done your collective, professional job. Don't shoot the messenger, the truth is the truth and you have written your perspective and contribution to the percepting of new nurses. Even nurse who present with a "tude" deserve support. I have found over the 25 years plus of being a nurse and having been a mentor and perceptor for newbies that I am able to facilitate professiona change by demonstrating to the newbies what I present to my patients and their families. Try it you may come away with your glass half full rather than as it is currently "half empty" nanacarol
nurse nettie
8 Posts
Nursing is getting competative....We all know there is a cap on nursing salaries, and we've all felt a little angry when a new graduate makes not much less than we do. Maybe senior nurses are resentfull and feel the new graduate should earn their wage.