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.
nurse430+yrs said "YES.....they DO indeed EAT their young. ", not meaning him or herself. Often when nurses say "nurses definitely eat their young" what they are saying "everyone but me of course".
Just as there are various levels of drivers on the road; as there are various levels/states of health in a person---there are various levels of nurses who "eat their young"...
My education and training taught me that nurses are valuable---I was taught to mentor others who followed me NOT eat them. Hope YOU are doing the same for other nurses.------:redbeathe
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
I agree, we are all not the same, for sure....I enjoy teaching new nurses and most seem to respect my knowledge and experience...I say most...there is always that one that already knows it all...just as there is always that one "ole nurse" that eats her young.....same as in any profession, not just nursing......I have friends in other lines of work that experience the same thing....must be some type of "initiation" for some new employees....reminds me of the sorority rushes....
Just as there are various levels of drivers on the road; as there are various levels/states of health in a person---there are various levels of nurses who "eat their young"...
My education and training taught me that nurses are valuable---I was taught to mentor others who followed me NOT eat them. Hope YOU are doing the same for other nurses.------:redbeathe
I don'tthink nursing education has changed in the many years you and I have been a nurse in training (but you do have me by a few years, so I'm sure many things have changed LOL). Unfortunately educators to spew out "be careful out there because nurses eat their young".
I mentor and value new nurses and certainly do not eat them. A student even told me "I've heard about you in pre-conference this morning. Can I work with you today?" The one thing I miss since taking charge is mentoring students/new grads and having to be stuck as a charge nurse.
I want to know how we as experienced nurses can encourage a new nurse without overwhelming ourselves? I have worked med surg for the last 3 yrs and now I'm a "go-to" person on my unit. I DON'T mind helping out someone who is unfamiliar with the unit (where things are, what to do in certain situations, etc.), but I have had entire shifts go by where the other nurse does nothing but call my name.
Shannon could you, Shannon would you mind, Shannon I have a question.
12 hours of that and I am exausted, not to mention the 7 patients of my own that I have to help, listen to, give meds to, etc. At what point is enough, enough? They feel more comfortable asking me for help than calling the CRN who is there for just that purpose. I have called the CRN myself and when they found out what I was doing they said, "Oh, I don't want to bother them." (And taking all my time is OK?) Some nights I want to scream!!
I want to know how we as experienced nurses can encourage a new nurse without overwhelming ourselves? I have worked med surg for the last 3 yrs and now I'm a "go-to" person on my unit. I DON'T mind helping out someone who is unfamiliar with the unit (where things are, what to do in certain situations, etc.), but I have had entire shifts go by where the other nurse does nothing but call my name.
Shannon could you, Shannon would you mind, Shannon I have a question.
12 hours of that and I am exausted, not to mention the 7 patients of my own that I have to help, listen to, give meds to, etc. At what point is enough, enough? They feel more comfortable asking me for help than calling the CRN who is there for just that purpose. I have called the CRN myself and when they found out what I was doing they said, "Oh, I don't want to bother them." (And taking all my time is OK?) Some nights I want to scream!!
OK, rant is over, I feel better now.:)
Give them a gentle nudge in the right direction as to where they can find simple information that they are looking for (phone numbers, codes, forms etc...) suggest that they keep a notebook and write these things down in so they remember for the next time that it comes up. I'm not sure what "CRN" is. Is it the designated preceptor? If so then perhaps that person is not the right person to be precepting new grads if no one feels comfortable "bothering" them. If you (and probably other nurses) are picking up the teaching slack when someone is specifically designated to that role then this should be brought up to the manager. As a new grad myself I have to say that most of the nurses I have interacted with so far have been at least tolerant and many have been extremely helpful and did not try to "eat" me. There definitely are a couple however...
I don'tthink nursing education has changed in the many years you and I have been a nurse in training (but you do have me by a few years, so I'm sure many things have changed LOL). Unfortunately educators to spew out "be careful out there because nurses eat their young".
I mentor and value new nurses and certainly do not eat them. A student even told me "I've heard about you in pre-conference this morning. Can I work with you today?" The one thing I miss since taking charge is mentoring students/new grads and having to be stuck as a charge nurse.
Awesome! What a wonderful testimony to your mentoring skills!
CRN= Clinical Resource Nurse. med surg, unit, er boss for the shift. I work nights so this is the person we are supposed to call for back-up when needed. They help with admissions, IV restarts, basically whatever you need to do your job. I have personally called them for all the above plus passing meds when I was behind, dealing with difficult pts and families, and basic judgement calls. (This is what I'm thinking, am I on the right track or do you think I should do something else.) The CRN is the person you are supposed to call when you have trouble of any sort. Like I said, I don't mind helping, but there comes a time when you have to swim on your own. We all had to. The FIRST thing I teach the new nurses I'm precepting is how to page the CRN and the House Supervisor. I guess not everyone does that. (Obviously.) That was the gist of my question.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
they ask you because you are right there, they do not want to call in the CRN and look dumb......that would be my guess......you are on the unit and you know what you are doing so you are naturally the first person they will come to....give it some time....you may have to put up with it for the first few weeks with a new grad, but then it is time for them to fly........remember how it was when we started ??? I know that I probably bothered the poor nurses to death with questions.... but this is our rite of passage........keep smiling, helping and they will genuinely appreciate all you do, remember it is for the pts. that you are helping the new nurse.....
Awesome! What a wonderful testimony to your mentoring skills!
I do try. It's tough when I have a full assignment, but I try. I'm not the only one. Guess that's why I get so hot under the collar when people accuse us of eating our young.
The first few weeks, I understand completely. It's 6 or 8 months later I'm having a problem with, and alot of the questions are, to me, pretty basic nursing knowledge. I remember being a new grad, and bugging the CRN at every turn. But the night shift CRN's are really just regular floor nurses who are looking after the whole department rather than just their 7 pts for the night. They all were and are GREAT about it. They don't mind being "bugged" at all.
Back on original topic, I don't see ANY of the nurses where I work "eating their young". Everyone is helpful to the new nurses. I just want to see them "spread their wings". That is a really good feeling. I have watched new grads that I oriented go from hesitant and questioning every single thing they did to confident, competant nurses ready to take on any assignment.
We have said that the training we give the new ones is going to show when WE are the patient. I want to get the best care possible, so that's the training I give my new grads. Something to think about.
We have a very bossy little charge nurse on our floor. Most of the nurses say she irritates them and they talk about her behind her back. But as a new nurse, I love her. You can go to her about ANYTHING and she'll boss you around non-stop, is very direct, etc., but she will also TEACH you while it's going on. I mean -- there is nothing you can't ask --she LOVES giving you the info.
She's about the best nurse I've ever seen -- I get a huge kick out of her.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
Soundofmusic----I think I worked with her, too.....!!!! No, really, we all have different methods of teaching, various personalities, etc. the old saying "You can't please all of the people all of the time" holds true especially in our profession...one nurse will be liked by some, while others will think she is "bossy" or "annoying"...we are thrown together from various backgrounds, all having problems of some sort be it personal or work, and expected to all get along at work...it just isn't possible....I have learned to "not take anything personal" and let things just roll off me...do my job, take care of my pts. and share my knowledge with those willing to listen....
What a wonderful testimony to your mentoring skills!
nurse430+yrs
41 Posts
Just as there are various levels of drivers on the road; as there are various levels/states of health in a person---there are various levels of nurses who "eat their young"...
My education and training taught me that nurses are valuable---I was taught to mentor others who followed me NOT eat them. Hope YOU are doing the same for other nurses.------:redbeathe