Don't be catty (literally)

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Specializes in ER.

I had a revelation yesterday. Some older nurses are mean to the new arrivals. I work with a gal that always hates the newest hire. Then after 6 months she ends up not having a bad thing to say about them because she now hates an even newer person. She's actually a great person to work with, a hard worker, but this one trait is really not nice, and actually undermines her.

I got a new kitten last month. I also have an older cat, about 10 years old. She was super upset that I got the new kitten, who was 12 weeks old and very well adjusted. She didn't want to be in the house anymore and started eating with the barn cats. I locked her in a few nights, hoping she'd adjust.

The new kitten quickly befriended the dogs and has taken over the house. The older cat has continued her strike, and is living in the barn. I hope the cold weather will drive her indoors.

Of course I made an analogy to nursing and posted a thread! :nurse:

Moral of the story: Be doggy, not catty!

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Oh this brings a smile to my face. Good way to live life, like a dog. Dogs are awesome.

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Aah! Emergent.... you had me going there!! I have really wanted to bring a new individual into my place, but the guy we have now... he'd claw her eyes out. A real cat-fight, you might say. Talk about 'eating our young,' bullying and horizontal violence (they fight all across the floors in every room).

This was great. Thanks for a laugh-out-loud when I really needed it. It is a legitimate problem though. I miss my dogs, but they're not allowed in our building.

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I work with a gal that always hates the newest hire. Then after 6 months she ends up not having a bad thing to say about them because she now hates an even newer person. She's actually a great person to work with, a hard worker, but this one trait is really not nice, and actually undermines her.

I work with a gal like that and, boy, did she do her best to make it known that I was not in the Cool Kids Club. Unfortunately for her, I've never been one of the cool kids and it's no big deal to this nerd! I just keep coming back and coming back and coming back...

Well, in time, my charm, wit and delightful sense of humor (and great singing and dancing abilities) won her over. Then she told me I'm not allowed to go on vacation anymore... because she doesn't like the new substitute nurse. My substitute never wanted to come back again and quit!

I watched this gal give grief to new aides, nurses, secretaries, social workers... it wasn't just me. When she behaves herself, she's golden, but I cannot figure out what the deal is with her and the newbies! Does she perceive them as a threat? Self-esteem or trust issues? What??!!

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Specializes in ICU.

Cute story! :yeah:

Most of the nurses who have been at my place of employment 5+ years are like that. I really do mean most. It's the funniest thing - they're usually great to the new grads, but they're awful to anyone who comes in with experience.

I had the worst time with these girls when I first got hired with a little bit of experience - I was pretty sure I was not going to survive my first few months of work because they were so awful. Terrible comments, things like, "That's failure to rescue!!!" when I had a struggling patient that I was paging an obnoxious MD about, and the MD was failing to do anything. Obviously that's "my" failure to rescue, as they hinted while they looked down their noses at me. I have many, many more examples. After I was there about a year, I finally felt like at least most of them tolerated me, and at 2+ years now, I'd say we get along well.

We just hired someone with 13 years of experience as well as 11 new grads. The new grads are being babied and loved on and the 13 year nurse is being eaten alive. I gave her report the other day while she was crying. I keep telling her to keep her head down, never mention anything about anywhere else she's ever worked (they get threatened by the thought of anyone ever doing anything differently than they do), smile, and ask for advice even when she doesn't need it just to make the evil ones feel like they're needed. I discovered the hard way that they're nicer when they think they're needed.

It's ridiculous! 99% of the nurses that come in with experience leave, and maybe 50% of the new grads stay. It leaves a work environment full of people who have literally never worked anywhere else, who think they're the bees' knees because they've been at my job a couple of years, and who know no way of doing anything other than the way my employer does it, so nobody can creatively think through problems because they only know one way of doing things. It's stupid.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

A new take on NETY! LOL Oh boy....well, I don't really believe in NETY and have rarely seen it toward new grads. I have seen nurses who are older and/or more experienced (there is a difference!) kind of hang a new nurse (new employee) out to dry...meaning give little help to and see if she floats or drowns. Having said that, maybe there are nurses who don't like new grads out there and I haven't met them. I *have experienced the new employee distaste from co-workers. I have met many nurses and CNAs who try to discourage a new employee from staying. I can't figure out why. I don't get it. They just don't like the new kitten, I guess!

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Specializes in ER.

Update on cat: She graced us with her indoor presence last night. A breakthrough!

She acted like she had missed me, a bit needy, as if I had neglected the poor dear.

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"Be kind , it costs nothing". In my charge nurse position, I precepted everybody that came through the door. I took them all under my wing and got them ready to go.

WOOF!

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Specializes in Med-surg, telemetry, oncology, rehab, LTC, ALF.
"Be kind , it costs nothing". In my charge nurse position, I precepted everybody that came through the door. I took them all under my wing and got them ready to go.

WOOF!

The world needs more nurses like you. :yes:

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QUOTE=caffeinatednurse;9193856]The world needs more nurses like you. :yes:

:notworthy: However it so true. All MOST new nurses need to succeed is .. heartfelt guidance from an oldie -moldie .

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

Gorgeous post! LOVE the analogy!!

I am one of those cat and dog parents who actually has a voice for the cat and dog so they 'talk' to me. The cat is snarky and ****** and the dog is always easy going and friendly. Many years of being alone with the animals has turned me a bit strange...

When I first started a job as a PCA in a nursing home, one of the day nurses made my life HELL! Belittling me, screaming at me, telling me I'm useless and going get fired. Well I dug deep down and channelled my inner bulldog - I worked so hard and was always one step ahead of this nurse. I would show her! Over time I became her favourite PCA and she would wax lyrical to others about my work. But I never forgot how she treated me when I was new and nervous and vowed I would never ever make someone feel the way she made me feel.

Like your new kitten, I became a part of the team and this nurse was eventually fired for her behaviour (she bullied every new staff member).

New nurses eventually become seasoned nurses but we will never forget how we were treated when we were wide-eyed, nervous newbies!!

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