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.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
So, the implication here is that it's better for the new, inexperienced nurse to not ask that question, but rather he should wing it and hope everything works out ok, when the other nurses are overwhelmed, short-staffed and busy? Is that a correct assessment of the situation?
I said "keep the questions to a minimum when you see us in a chaotic situation", come on.....I am talking about the things asked that could wait until we have time...I did not say " Do not ask questions, just wing it" like you inferred. This is the attitude that does not work when you come in new on a unit.
I don't think Ruby Vee would say if it wasn't true her experience. I've seen the "I'm here...roll out the red carpet" type of student myself. Obviously students don't want to be generalized, neither do the rest of us.
I see what you're saying. I'm entering my first semester of nursing this fall so I guess I'll be able to see more of the attitudes that emerge.
Please note that by moderator concensus 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 lilnk. 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 nuturing to the new nurse and students on your unit.
End of sermon. LOL
Yes Nurses eat their young. At some facilities I have been to the nurses are so MEAN and they talk too much crap. When there is a new employee the unit should work together to make them feel accepted and wanted as a valuable team member. Not all facilities are like this but unfortunately some are. Whenever I had to orientate someone I always tried to make them feel comfortable and encourage them to keep on going no matter what anyone said.
When does a new nurse on staff defend herself against those nurses that may seem a bit harsh with the attitude?
How must one come to difuse the situation before it becomes unbearable to work on that floor?
I have no problem defending myself to someone else, (due to the fact that I have worked in healthcare for 12 years), but I sure do not want to make my stay on the floor a horrible experience. Even though I have much confidence that I will do a great job. ( even while making mistakes)
How do new nurses defend themselves against nurses that are too harsh?
This is a tricky question. If I were in that situation I would prob talk to the nurses and remind them of what it was like to be a new nurse. If the situation was really bad and the majority of the staff were not accepting of me I would move to a new grad friendly floor. Life is too short to be treated badly, you just move on.
I see what you're saying. I'm entering my first semester of nursing this fall so I guess I'll be able to see more of the attitudes that emerge.
Hopefully it will be a good experience. Try not to generalize. You'll come across many many nurses, don't let the crabby one cause you to judge the entire profession.
I have to say that I'd like to begin working in an environment where patient care is a team effort instead of a battle between seasoned nurses and new nurses...
I did my clinicals at a hospital where most of the nurses though I was a nuisance for asking questions or requesting assistance from them.... Now I work at a hospital that has a supportive staff. I think that we will stop using this term when experienced nurses are more tolerant to their green coworkers who fumble with the IV pumps.... I still say to myself all the time "when I become a nurse...blah blah blah..." Well when I become a nurse I will remember that I too was a new nurse fresh out of nursing school and I too was a nursing student.
I do agree that new nurses should defend themselves against a harsh nurse.... You've got to have a pair when you enter this profession... I don't have to be that experienced to know that.:nuke:
I have to say that I'd like to begin working in an environment where patient care is a team effort instead of a battle between seasoned nurses and new nurses...
I did my clinicals at a hospital where most of the nurses though I was a nuisance for asking questions or requesting assistance from them.... Now I work at a hospital that has a supportive staff. I think that we will stop using this term when experienced nurses are more tolerant to their green coworkers who fumble with the IV pumps.... I still say to myself all the time "when I become a nurse...blah blah blah..." Well when I become a nurse I will remember that I too was a new nurse fresh out of nursing school and I too was a nursing student.
I do agree that new nurses should defend themselves against a harsh nurse.... You've got to have a pair when you enter this profession... I don't have to be that experienced to know that.:nuke:
good for you, great attitude! It's ridiculous when a not-so-new nurse has to either pick apart a new grad or criticize them, as I'm sure their practice isn't perfect all of the time. No one is. Some may think they are, but they are not. It is that kind of nurse that you never want to be - always know that you don't know it all and you will work your way into the right place for you.
I just want to be a great nurse. Sometimes when I read threads I get a little discouraged at many things, BUT, I know that it doesn't really matter what others think, it's about my patients and how well I take care of them.
But thank you again, for the excellent advice and wisdom.
oh lord yes! Think Jurassic Park, think velociraptors, think compies! the poor new and innocent nurse excited about his/her job, then *gulp*. never saw it coming.
As old and tired as this saying is, just wishing it away won't work. Some nurses do treat new grads, younger nurses and new employees in a despicable way. In an environment of CYA all the time, it is worse. There is every type of person in the work world of nursing, just like in the "real world." There is a mean hearted person everywhere you go who just feels better if they can put someone down, with no rhyme or reason. And hopefully you can find a kind hearted person who will be patient and understanding and mentor you. Usually you can, but most nurses are looking out for number one. Just like everywhere else. And there are also orientees who had a really good preceptor and they forget and later exclaim, well no one told me that! Just try to be the good guy! There have been many days when I thought I was back in junior high school.
Some nurses do treat new grads, younger nurses and new employees in a despicable way. In an environment of CYA all the time, it is worse. There is every type of person in the work world of nursing, just like in the "real world." There is a mean hearted person everywhere you go who just feels better if they can put someone down, with no rhyme or reason. And hopefully you can find a kind hearted person who will be patient and understanding and mentor you. Usually you can, but most nurses are looking out for number one. Just like everywhere else. And there are also orientees who had a really good preceptor and they forget and later exclaim, well no one told me that! Just try to be the good guy! There have been many days when I thought I was back in junior high school. 
aloevera
861 Posts
we had an orientee this weekend....we all were so glad to get some help that we REALLY welcomed her....(not a new grad, but new to our unit)
She was flabergasted...said she had never been treated so good...we were so kind to her, she was a little suspicious !!!!
(we had been working so short-staffed, we wanted to make sure we kept her) so damned if you do and damned if you don't
"YOU CAN'T PLEASE ALL THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME" !!!