Do nurses really "eat their young?"

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I once heard a long time ago way back when I was in middle school that seasoned RNs are harsh and down right mean to new grads. I am about to graduate soon and I was just wondering if this is true. During clinical I did experience some RNs that weren't the nicest people to work with, but I didn't feel deterred or anything. So what tips do you have for me to get along with experienced RNs who find people like me annoying?

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

Oh boy, here we go. Use the search function there are lots of answers to your question already.

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Specializes in ICU.

^ Exhibit A?

Every job has those that think they are better than you, smarter than you, won't help you (or if they do they are exasperated then talk about how incompetent you are). You also have those that treat you as an equal, offer help/constructive criticism, guide/mentor you, and won't belittle you for their own personal self gratification.

Nursing is no different.

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Here's the link to the 'Eat their Young' thread. It has over 2,000 replies so have fun!

Do Nurses Eat Their Young? - Nursing for Nurses

PolandM is right though in that you have A-holes in every job be it the customers themselves or the people you work with. Just remember as well that just as often it could people themselves and not others.

Meaning look in the mirror and quit blaming others.

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Specializes in ED, MICU/TICU, NICU, PICU, LTAC.

I found that it really does depend on the individual nurse. When I was in school and doing clinicals, it did seem that nurses who were more recent graduates were a bit less intimidating to approach with questions. I think that on any unit, you'll have the good and the bad. Just try to remember that a short, clipped reply to a question doesn't necessarily mean they're a bully - they might be coming off a 14 hour shift, have charting coming out of their ears, or just had their butt handed to them by a doctor.

However, repeated, insidious bullying conduct should absolutely never be tolerated.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Keko89:

An Auto Mechanics Instructor once told me that he didn't mind repeating the same information over and over again until a concept sank in and the light bulb comes on. As a Student, feel free to ask the same question repeatedly until you understand.

As a seasoned Nurse, I have guidelines and expectations for Students and New Grads:

First, know your place. You are a Student. There to learn. And practical learning is aquired by experiencing. Performing tasks. Doing stuff.

The RN is always in charge. Always. Seek this person out for guidance. Ask questions. If the RN is put out by your enquiries, then obviously, they're not a good teacher. You'll learn as much from your poor instructors as you do your good.

Personally, I enjoy working with Students. Gives me a chance to exhibit my plummage. And pass the torch.

Now, with New Grads, I tend to hone my approach to them as they come on to me. If they are know-it-ll, I-don't-need-your-input types, well then, they will sink or swim on their own merits. Barring any Patient recieving inadequate care, of course.

If a New Grad is questioning and inquisitive, well then, they will recieve all the benefits of my experience and pespective.

Too often, it's a power strugggle thing. It shouldn't be. But it is. So we just hafta go with the flow and ride with the tide. Be into the Zen, so to speak.

The best to you.

Dave

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I noticed OP at the end of your post you mention 'Who find people like me annoying."

Do you mean annoying in the new grad generalization or do you feel you have an annoying personality?

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Specializes in Neuro-Surgery, Med-Surg, Home Health.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

My message to all: Follow the Golden Rule-- "Do unto others what you want others do unto you."

I was once very pleasantly surprised when I was being oriented to a part-time job. One of the staff nurses in that hospital recognized me and told the other nurses in that unit where I was being oriented that I was once her preceptor at another hospital.

She told everybody how I nicely and fairly treated her as a new employee and a preceptee. It felt good and I felt more welcomed to that hospital after that nice comment by that nurse.

Remember this: the novice nurse whom you are working with today could be your nursing supervisor or manager someday! Be nice to everybody.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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Keko89:

An Auto Mechanics Instructor once told me that he didn't mind repeating the same information over and over again until a concept sank in and the light bulb comes on. As a Student, feel free to ask the same question repeatedly until you understand.

As a seasoned Nurse, I have guidelines and expectations for Students and New Grads:

First, know your place. You are a Student. There to learn. And practical learning is aquired by experiencing. Performing tasks. Doing stuff.

The RN is always in charge. Always. Seek this person out for guidance. Ask questions. If the RN is put out by your enquiries, then obviously, they're not a good teacher. You'll learn as much from your poor instructors as you do your good.

I would add: Be there! Stick to your preceptor like glue, unless she has already assigned you a learning scenario. Complete that, THEN go and see the code!

DON'T argue, roll your eyes or go behind your preceptors back. If you have a disagreement with your preceptors

approach, talk to HE/SHE FIRST, then go to management.

I love new grads and students; they give me joy, hope and by reminding me of how it felt to BE a newbie, compassion. But the minute a new grad gets in my face for a judgement call that either I KNOW was right based on my somewhat more experienced career; or my greater experience with the pt.,and continues to argue with me after I have stated my case they will KNOW it. And I guess,

will be talked about on this forum as a nurse who eats thier young.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Yes, we do. It's because we don't want new grads making the same mistakes we did.

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Come here you look pretty darn tasty. Slow cook you with BBQ sauce and there we have New Nurse cooked and glazed with BBQ Sauce. If you want the recipes for Cooked New Nurse go to my website or just go to http://www.weeatouryoung.com.

All jokes a side yes there are some old time Nurses and Not so old ones that think this happen to them so pass it on down the line. They don't give the new ones a chance and they find ways to get rid of them or they wont train you right or do a 1/2*** job of doing it then sit there and say well i trained her/him and there not just catching on.

They are also the first to turn you in to the higher up's New Nurses are a threat to them. Why??? i don't know but really they fail to realize they are hurting themselves and the team. There's a thread on here that covers this topic if you wish to read it.

And how do you get along with them. Well that's a question that has haunted New Nurses for yrs. Some of them forget it no matter what you do or say your cooked. I had a Nurse like that once who told me the first day i met her. I will never forget this She said Anthony right?? I said yea she said i don't even know you and i already don't like you. She found out the hard way i wasn't going to take her crap.

I agree with steelydanfan on this best way to be is mouth shut and learn or know when to open mouth. Another way to look at it is You are your worst enemy out on the floor. Their job as your Nurse Trainer is to make you so your not understand? And don't take things to heart. Everyone makes mistakes. These are my thoughts use them as you wish

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Do nurses really "eat their young?"

Only when they're properly cooked!

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