Do nurses really "eat their young?"

[Keko89]

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?

[SaraO'Hara]

I got a lot more back-biting in my clinical / peer group than from my elders.

[Scarlette Wings]

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?

in a nutshell and to be terribly realistic, yes they eat their young or anyone young to their units. they just don't like to admit it.

having said that, for every 2-3 cannibals out there gossiping and knifing people in the back and twisting it in, there are at least twice as many out there willing to help you. seek the ones who are friendly and willing to help. grieve for the bitter ones that have allowed burn out to destroy their compassion. remember to grow old and not be like them.

[gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN]

I found that when stuck with a Nurse with a bad attitude I remind her/him that I am there to learn everything they have to teach. If they refuse to teach me it shows on them as bad instructors. Then I remind them that the DON felt they could give me the most/best education and wouldn't have if they didn't believe they were the best Nurse for the job. The flattery usually works well.

[enchantmentdis, BSN, RN]

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?

Nurses in the hospitals generally eat their young, because management is constantly in their faces, patients, family members, and physicians are demanding and feel a sense of entitlement, ratios are inappropriate, the nurses are already overworked and have to train new staff and are sometimes reported to management by preceptees for not being nice enough. I have found that in non-hospital settings, other than teaching, that usually nurses eating of their young is not so much of an issue. Eating of the young starts in nursing school by the nursing instructors, by the way--an abuse of authority. Unfortunately, those professors set the tone for a nurse's future experience. In nursing the most stressful jobs are in acute care, mainly large hospitals, where new grads and even new employees for that matter are treated like crap at first. People just don't know how to cool it. The way to get along with experienced RNs is to find the nurse who doesn't seem to mind answering questions and use her as your mentor, even if you have a preceptor who is a witch. Don't take breaks with your preceptor, and when she is on break approach the "nice" nurse and ask a few questions but don't overwhelm her. Also, don't let your preceptor see you asking questions of the other nurse, because women are petty, and even if she doesn't want to effectively precept you she will get jealous if you are getting help from another. You have to machiavelli the situation--You might say, "you have so much experience,what would be the best way to handle this situation from your perspective?" Making your preceptor seem like she is way smarter than you is a sure way to improve her mood. Don't forget if her patients call-lights are going off answer them before she gets too annoyed. Also there are many easy questions you can answer yourself by going in the chart without being asked to. For instance, don't ask, "how old is the iv, what is the drsg change order, are they on tele, what diet, etc..." Show initiative and find these answers out yourself. Also get help from a CNA if the patient needs turning, clean up etc... Don't just assume your preceptor will be happy to help you. Use the other staff but be nice and professional to them as well. Grit your teeth and get through it.

[groosegroose]

My nursing school clinical instructors (all experienced nurses, Masters students) certainly proved themselves vicious and confirmed the stereotype, but I've been thrilled to find during my preceptorship that floor nurses are a different species entirely. The nurses out in the field have been so wonderful. I suppose my nursing school just attracts nasty instructors.

[leslie :-D]

^ Exhibit A?

touche poland, touche.

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. >.

bolding, mine...and agree 100%.

what many interpret as being "eaten", is actually and often, a no-nonsense approach to teaching.

not all of us (*ahem*) are naturally doting and maternal.

one seriously needs to grow a thick skin and not to take 'stuff' personally.

one can either choose to be eaten, or regurgitate back in their face...

professionally, of course.

leslei