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?

Don't be annoying and nobody will want to eat you :idea:! I haven't found any seasoned nurses on my unit to be condescending, mean, or rude, thankfully!

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.
^ Exhibit A?

Every job has those that think they are better than you, smarter than you ...*snip*

To the OP, beware even the younger ones will dissect/misinterpret/judge everything you do and say and make a *gasp* exhibit out of what you say. My best advice is grow a thick skin and learn to smile sweetly whilst cursing within.

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Yes! And their old and everything in between. This can be an obsolutely vicious profession.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Yes, I have chunks of skin missing all over me :|

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Specializes in Plastics. General Surgery. ITU. Oncology.

We particularly enjoy a young and tender nurse with BBQ sauce and a nice side of cheese fries.

;) Delicious.

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Personally, that's one phrase I'd like to NEVER EVER hear again like hanging chads, Y2K and aging baby boomers. My $.02 (yeah, that one too!)

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Yeah, in school I had some nursing instructors try to eat me. They are the creeps. Just deal with them as best as you can. There are some perfectly ok nurses out there as well.

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Specializes in PACU, OR.

The young ones are the only ones worth eating. Once they get old they're either too tough and stringy or too fatty.

Anyone ever had them battered and deep fried? :yeah:

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
The young ones are the only ones worth eating. Once they get old they're either too tough and stringy or too fatty.

Anyone ever had them battered and deep fried? :yeah:

No way, the young ones are to rare, go to the 30's, they are just right. I am such a good "youngin" I will bring my own seasoning to make the job easier :p

Joking aside, from a students POV. I think this phrase is way over used. I have never had this experience at my program or the hospitals I have been at. I have heard very few students talk about a few bad apples in out program. But it's been in the minority. Some of the students I have seen talk about how terrible their co nurse was, I would be willing to bet the student was a part of that.

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People "eat" other people. Nursing isn't any better or worse than any other profession. People are just shocked (SHOCKED!) when they enter into the profession to find out that we're just like everyone else.

If you can't handle the politics and personalities in nursing, then you're not going to be able to handle most other jobs.

People need to stop expecting to be coddled and cooed at all day long. >.

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Specializes in Pain Mgmt.

No, they don't. It is just a professional myth that people like to repeat because it is fun to say. Back in the day when nurses were handmaidens to MDs, the older nurses were burdened with resentment and bitterness which spilled over into their relationships with younger nurses. Nowadays, with the advent of collaborative practice, these poor behaviors are isolated to troubled individuals and do not qualify as a meme for the entire profession.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

I thought about this today as I was walking into work and noticed a young nurse being excluded from her group. I won't go into details, but it felt familiar. I agree with Fribblet-it happens everywhere. Ever been on a cheerleading squad? Oh yeah, they are mean to each other alright.

The bottom line is that it takes a while for a new member of the pack to be accepted. IN ANY SCENARIO...ok, except for AA.

Strap on your suit of armor, have your confidence at the ready and don't expect a chorus of "Hiiiiiii Nurse X" when you walk onto the unit. Laugh a lot, laugh at yourself, and be easy with your learning, but also be focused and eat your breakfast in the morning. You can do it!

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