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.
And SN2bExpAt, keep your eyes open with this nurse. She clearly violated HIPPA regs by leaving the COW screen open to pt info and leaving her brain around for others to see. Now, losing the brain happens to all of us, but keeping the screen up was just negligent. The next time this happens, give the brain to the charge nurse or your instructor so they may return it to her. I think you did the right thing by giving it to her directly and telling her about the COW and correcting it yourself, but there may be something deeper with this nurse, and it will have to be addressed on a higher level.
Correction, this was supposed to be for NurseHappenin'.
I am starting nursing school in the fall and about 5 years ago I would have been scared to death. All the scary intimidating nurses will eat me alive! But now I know that not everything is about me. If a nurse is short with me, mean, or scary - it's probably because she/he is overworked, tired, stressed, and I'm a naive student running behind asking questions. I would be annoyed too. And there is always those few students that show up to clinicals completely unprepared, have no idea what's going on, don't study, and expect everyone else to pick up there slack. (not me) When I did clinicals for my cna license I wanted to scream at some of the students. Are you kidding me? Have you been paying any attention in class? I hate slackers and one day I suspect I will be "eating my youngins":p Hee hee
Great attitude!!
And you sound like me when I was going through school. I have never had any patience with those who lack of common sense!!
I am so sorry you lost your children. I know the hurt never goes away, but the memories stay. And I am glad you had them for however long you did. Thank you for sharing about them. And thank you especially for serving our country. Without our military, none of our children would be safe.
You are an example to those who "just don't have the time to study" You will be a wonderful nurse! Good luck and I'll say a prayer for your husband and family.
I am so sorry you lost your children. I know the hurt never goes away, but the memories stay. And I am glad you had them for however long you did. Thank you for sharing about them. And thank you especially for serving our country. Without our military, none of our children would be safe.
sue.
Awww, thank you Sue! :flowersfo
No, the hurt never goes away. I think of them every day. Our son would have been 19 this July and our daughter would have been 17 this past February. They are the reason I went to nursing school.
And the Navy was an amazing experience and I thank God that my husband and I were spared the carnage our service men and women are going through today.
I think because of my history, I am much more patient with those who are trying to learn and have no respect for those who are going into nursing for all the wrong reasons.
My intention is not to be disrespectful but to share my personal insights, your username, Traumatyrant speaks volumes about a perceived need to be in control and that is fine, someone has to be in that position. As nurses, it is my belief that as health care professionals we are mandated to care for and advocate for our customers and believe it or not, our peers and new graduates and the newly hired are our customers. Professionally speaking other disciplines and our managers and other leaders are evaluating how we interact as team members. The concept that we are looking for "tudes" is really not lending itself to developing a profession or a team. It really is not costly to give of ourselves, to help our colleagues without a hand out for compensation, doing so just because it furthers us as a group of professionals. Physical therapist, Occupational therapists, Physicians do not usually air their disdain of each other so openly as do nurses, let's get a grip and become professionals, treat all that bear the nomeclature of Nurse well. nanacorl
Your post harkened me back to my clinical rot. in L & D. My pt's labor stalled at 6 cm/90% effaced, and after 3 hrs of this the Doc decided on an emerg. C-sec. While everyone else was rushing around prepping my pt, I was instructed to wait the nurses station, which left me a bit disappointed. I think I could have been helpful with something (A runner for supplies, providing comfort?). The Doc and I were in there for a good 30 minutes - just him and I. He had his eyes closed for a good bit of that time. I assumed he was mentally preparing himself, or something like that, and respected his time. When he finally did open his eyes, I politely introduced myself as a SN, and kindly asked if he would explain his rationale for deciding on a section. For the next 10 minutes he patiently explained all of the different aspects of his decision. I thanked him graciously for his explanation, and his time. (He had been a surgeon for 25 yrs). They called him into the OR to begin, and I was left sitting there. A couple of minutes later, someone came out of the OR and said, "The Doc requested you be in the OR right now. I'll help you gown up." The nurse told me later she had forgotten about me, but didn't apologize or offer an explanation. I don't want to judge her, I guess she had much to do, but I appreciated the time the Doc took with me. The baby was a girl, and wasn't at anytime in distress. It was pelvic insufficiency as the cause.
i second wilbur's mom's post. she couldn't have better stated my exact thoughts and feelings. bravo-zool to you on your choice to live your life well in the midst of experiencing great personal tragedy. someone once said, "it's not what happens to us in life that defines us, but our reaction to it". you have chosen to live your life well as a fitting tribute to your children, and that's a noble cause and one worth pursuing. but in the process of all of that, something else amazing happened. your choice has served to inspire others by giving them strength and hope in the midst of their own tough situations, like myself with my situation. to me, you are that "awesome breed" of person. bravo-zool, again, katie91, and thanks! :heartbeat :thankya:.
Hello, Stardogdaisy, Ruby Vee, Psychnurse 1998, all of you have great observations about what it is like being on the receiving end of negative nurse to nurse interactions. One of you asked why stay (paraphrasing), Nursing is more than being encouraged by peers and doctors, nursing is more than the pay and minimal stress, nursing is more than a pay check and benefits and finally nursing is NOT for everyone, even many of those who stay. Nursing is and will always be a calling, we have managed in this politically correct environment to relegate it to a job with entitlement to pats on the back, being acknowledged by peers and physicians and managers and the organization at large. I have mentioned this on other posts, you must be able to encourage yourself and extrapolate fuel for tomorrow from the minor experiences and interactions you encounter during the shift. You need to have a space that is not nursing, this will prevent the anger build up and frustration that easily is defined by the term of burn out. Those testy, non helpful nurses you encounter in the workplace are not the called they are the hired. The nurse turned lawyer is worthy of our applause, she has made a life altering decision, she has found her passion. She is showing maturity, to stay at a job because it pays the bills cries for reconsideration of how one sees and values oneself. Yes, we do teach others how to treat us. Each of us has the power to redirect rude, disrespectful behavior regardless if it comes from a peer or a manager or a physician and it can be down so there is no opportunity for retribution. nanacarolynn
I am a nursing student and have had the opportunity to work with MANY nurses during my clinicals. So far I can honestly say they have been nothing but good to all of us. I have yet to have a bad experience (fingers crossed and knocking on wood) with ill treatment.
I know this is a bit different than actually being a new grad , but then again, it's not... In our area, as well as many others, there is such a shortage of nurses that the patient: nurse ratio is rediculous. They are just glad to have the extra hands, eyes, and ears to help out and relieve the burden of worry when strectched so thin. I was amazed at the amount of experience (work) we were allowed to do.
I know that I have probably deviated from the original topic. I just wanted to share .Sorry, I'm young...please don't eat me!
Nanacarol ~ you hit it right on the nose ~ nursing is not for everyone and it is truly a calling. Many of us have had experiences with chronically ill family members, or ones who pass on way too early.
The last few posts have been filled with love and understanding for our fellow nurses. I thank you all for your kind posts to me. NurseHappenin', a reply epistle is in the works :typing Great big hugs to you!!
In the meantime....
:redbeathe:heartbeatLove to all of you:heartbeat:redbeathe
you sound like me. No patience for slackers either, these slackers in school turn out to be slackers in the workplace = slackers taking care of our loved ones, friends, and neighbors and giving the hard working nurses / nursing students a bad name.
There are certain students in my rotation that I don't like to work with for this very reason. I love people, but I try to steer clear of these types. Negativity and laziness can be contagious if you let it. There is no room on a floor for this type of behavior.
My thinking is this.. If I am gonna be responsible for other people's well being, I want to know all I can to better take care of them. Yes, it may mean less sleep and less free time, but I will be a better nurse in the end.
But now I know that not everything is about me. If a nurse is short with me, mean, or scary - it's probably because she/he is overworked, tired, stressed, and I'm a naive student running behind asking questions. I would be annoyed too. And there is always those few students that show up to clinicals completely unprepared, have no idea what's going on, don't study, and expect everyone else to pick up there slack. (not me) When I did clinicals for my cna license I wanted to scream at some of the students. Are you kidding me? Have you been paying any attention in class? I hate slackers and one day I suspect I will be "eating my youngins":p Hee hee
Katie91
79 Posts
Correction, this was supposed to be for NurseHappenin'.
Sorry for the confusion!!