Do nurses eat their young?

I don't expect to be "taken care of" I just expect respect and it is truly daunting the experiences I have heard from new nurses. I will do my best to establish positive relationships, however becoming a nurse is physically and emotionally demanding; and it surprises me I haven't heard more stories about nurses helping each other out as a support network for each other. Oh and then I hear what management is like!! I don't know if that's in Canada or America though, I learned some of the horror stories threw reading threads on this site.

Regardless of what hear, I want nothing more than to become an RN. RN's are always learning and have the ability to make a difference in people's life which I see as a privilege! I just wanted to hear other people's experiences with this so called "eating the young" trend I've heard of. Just wondering if it exists...

Just a gentle reminder. All new or inexperienced nurses are not young. Nursing is more than "a privilege" it is very hard work, stressful, and intellectually/emotionally demanding. To me, nursing is about problem solving, kindness, and living life to the fullest (for both the nurse and the patient)

The published studies overwhelming demonstrate that nurses do bully their young at a much higher rate than other professions.

Be prepared to be told from a large group on this site that it isn't any worse in nursing than any other career or that it never happens.

I've never experienced or seen it & I'm still a relatively new nurse (3.5 yrs). Nor have I heard any complaints from the nurses I graduated with in their various roles & places of employment.

Thank you guys! Yes it's true perhaps it is no different than working anywhere else. I am open to criticisms as they allow me to grow as a person. So things like that, I would not be upset over. It's just what I've heard lol, I too don't like the term "eating their young". Bullying is a much more profound and valid way to describe this occurrence. I guess like other posters mentioned, it varies between people and workplaces. I love this site! I just hope when I'm new (sorry I know not all new nurses are young, I'm not young myself either) I will find a mentor (someone I can look up too and learn from). And if his mentor has criticism to bring I will accept them with open arms! I want to be a good nurse for my patients, as they come before my "feelings". Thank you guys for your input!!

The published studies overwhelming demonstrate that nurses do bully their young at a much higher rate than other professions.

Be prepared to be told from a large group on this site that it isn't any worse in nursing than any other career or that it never happens.

Sources?

Unfortunately it does happen, but not everywhere. I started on a unit where it happened to me and several others. Some of them quit. I reported it to HR and my manager, and it was a known problem at that time. I know that the people were spoken to about it, and I transferred to another unit that was *much* friendlier and more supportive of me. I couldn't believe how much my confidence was shaken by that experience. As a new nurse I was already nervous, and then to experience lateral violence after all my hard work to get where I was, it was heartbreaking. I'm glad I stuck it out and went through the right channels. I still have to occasionally work with a few of these people but I try to let it go.

If this happens to you, and hopefully it won't, keep a journal. Show it to your manager first, and to HR if you have to, but in HR make it a point that you want to remain anonymous and don't mention the names of any of the people. Also to avoid being a target (sad to have to give this advice), don't be too friendly, don't appear to be too eager, don't try to make friends, keep your head down and do your job. Sometimes I think people are threatened by strong, friendly personalities and they may feel less threatened if you just stay quiet until you find your own place there.

*CRUNCH*

I almost don't want to click on the NETY threads. Almost.

As a young, new nurse, I worked with all kinds. I found some mentors and I HOPE I became the kind of preceptor that I wanted: firm and kind with an ability to laugh at nonsense.

Good luck to you, OP!

I'm going to go a bit against the grain, but I'll avoid using the terms bullying or feasting on young'uns lest I induce an anaphylactic shock in some of my fellow posters :)

I actually find the work environment in nursing/healthcare to oftentimes be rather harsh. Not because I believe that nurses or the type of people who become nurses are any way more inclined to rude/mean behavior than any other profession, I blame the nature of the job combined with the resources and support nurses are given.

Nursing is a really tough job. We are literally responsible for life and limb. We provide emotional support to human beings who are often experiencing the worst time of their lives, we educate and help our patients find ways to help themselves cope with their situation. We have to be proficient in physiology/pathophysiology and catch the early signs of a developing medical crisis. We have to assess, administer a cornucopia of medications and perform procedures safely. We also have to inform/support the patient's family/loved ones and coordinate with a dozen other healthcare professions. There are a thousand and one "small" things that we need to watchful about and still never lose track of "the big picture".

All this is still managable and can be highly stimulating/rewarding if you work in an environment set up for success, rather than failure. Many different factors affect this but I think that nurse-patient ratio is the most important one. It's been my experience that when you have a manageble patient load and you feel that you can provide safe care and have the time to take your breaks and help a co-worker when they need it and vice versa, the majority of "chewing on tender newbies" tends to disappear.

When I hear about "nurses eating their young" I think it can be a sign of a workplace where people are generally overworked and unhappy and I think that the "snappishness" affects all, not just the new nurses. I just think that a new nurse is often more sensitive to it than someone who isn't fraught with the insecurities and suffering the stress that comes with being new in a job that demands so much. When you're new (in any profession), you need support, guidance and feedback from your more experienced co-workers. In my opinion a healthy organization is one that provides the staff the means and opportunity to do just that.