Eating our young and more...

loriangel14, RN · Feb 10, 2014

What's your point in starting such a thread? How is this beneficial to anyone? I find usually with these stories that we are only hearing one biased side of the situation.Usually if people get targeted there is a reason.

juraviel · Feb 10, 2014

I agree, stories like this are always terribly one sided.

ewere · Feb 10, 2014

have seen a lot of issues like this especially where I came from. nurses blow up their young ones mistakes while Dr cover up their young ones mistakes

KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2014

I can't help but notice a pattern here.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 10, 2014

have seen a lot of issues like this especially where I came from. nurses blow up their young ones mistakes while Dr cover up their young ones mistakes

There is so much wrong with this post I don't even know where to start with....maybe here: :no:

OP, one of the things that one does as a nurse is be RESPONSIBLE and ACCOUNTABLE for one's OWN practice; unfortunately you can't go around and police others practice; as far as your post, unfortunately you have admitted to a pattern that has had YOUR own practice and personality has developed into some sort of PERCEPTION-NOT NETY; if anything NETY needs to be retired like beading a dead horse.

The most you can do is a) worry about your own practice, b) focus on your own practice, c) HONE your own practice and d) all the above, find a job (if you don't have one) secure your job and again FOCUS one your own practice,

Best wishes.

loriangel14, RN · Feb 10, 2014

There is so much wrong with this post I don't even know where to start with....maybe here:
OP, one of the things that one does as a nurse is be RESPONSIBLE and ACCOUNTABLE for one's OWN practice; unfortunately you can't go around and police others practice; as far as your post, unfortunately you have admitted to a pattern that has had YOUR own practice and personality has developed into some sort of PERCEPTION-NOT NETY; if anything NETY needs to be retired like beading a dead horse.
The most you can do is a) worry about your own practice, b) focus on your own practice, c) HONE your own practice and d) all the above, find a job (if you don't have one) secure your job and again FOCUS one your own practice,
Best wishes.

So in other words quit stirring the pot.

psu_213, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2014

I'm sorry if this is view as piling on, but I have to say it. I just find it hard to believe that so many people (the NM, the school superintendent, the antagonist from the last situation in your post) are out to get you with no reason at all other than to "eat" a young member of the profession. In other words, I believe that there has to be more to each situation. For example, how did you approach your manager about not taking another patient? What is your attitude in general toward the NM? Having said that, if she did indeed "make up" a med error--you did not deserve that no matter what preceded it. However, I have a difficult time believing that a made up med error made it all the way to the state, especially when your documentation exonerated you all along (plus, why would a NM risk her position by creating a situation that requires her unit to be investigated by the state?).

I am not saying you are lying--but your perception of the situations and how they went down reveal only a part of each situation.

As mentioned before, focus on yourself, focus on making yourself the best nurse you can be, keep up the good documentation, and stay away from being over dramatic.

loriangel14, RN · Feb 10, 2014

If you think they are picking on you - you're right, they are.Because you keep making yourself a target.

campbellrn68 · Feb 10, 2014

Oh, I absolutely agree that there is always 2 sides and I could not possibly go into all details in a posting, but I was let go 1 week before I would have been there long enough for the union to be involved and in my state anytime a nurse is let go for a med error, it gets sent to the state. When I walked into the meeting when I was dismissed I had no idea why I was even there. I was put on the spot and not even able to review any documentation before being questioned. When I refused the new admit it was on a night shift and I refused to the supervisor who agreed I had too heavy a load. The problem was with the nurse who she then assigned to the admit to. She had been working there for years and she complained to the nurse manager. When the report was sent to the state they claimed the patient was confused and could not confirm any information, yet they claimed the issue came from the word of the "confused" patient. All my documentation was in place and they basically had not basis for their complaint (per the state investigator). The nurse manager was new, she started about 2 weeks after I was hired and was not happy about my need for a set schedule (that had been approved by the previous NM who hired me). She complained to me about it each time she made up the schedule, but I was a single mother working 12 hour night shifts. I could only work the days my niece didn't have evening classes. She wanted to get rid of me and she found a reason before I got to the point where I would have union representation. Oh, and less than 6 months later this NM was dismissed and removed for the property by the police.

Other issues such as the report I made because someone else didn't do their job...as a mandated reporter we are obligated to make a report when there is a negligent situation that results in injury to a patient. This client was transported to the hospital and admitted. Also, the nurse who took the position after I quit only lasted 2 months with the company and they did the same exact thing to him when he started reporting the poor care the clients were getting. He also quit and he hired a lawyer. He is a 26 year critical care veteran and not a poor nurse. While everyone can say that I brought on these situations, I know there are other nurses out there who have been treated in a less than professional manner.

The school incident was just what is was...I had discussed the issue with several administrators and finally, as an advocate for the patient and my own license, being the school nurse and the one ultimately responsible for the child, I brought a copy of the regulations to the superintendent. I was not comfortable with the teacher's aid suctioning and tube feeding this child. It is our responsibility to advocate for our patients but as my lawyer remarked...sometimes the advocate is the one who gets hung out to dry. They are the ones who administration is afraid will report the things they don't want reported. This is why we have whistle blower laws.

Not every job I have had has been like this and I currently work for an amazing and professional company who values things being done right.

I just was trying to get some feedback for a paper I am starting for school about nurses eating their young...or whistle blower issues...something of this sort....many of us have seen these things happen and I was just looking for some other things that people have seen. I was not looking for anyone to give me advice on what I should do or even to confirm my thoughts on my situation. I was just looking for some other scary stories people may have. We all know we are not always treated well!

psu_213, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2014

I just was trying to get some feedback for a paper I am starting for school about nurses eating their young...

I was basically with you on your post until I get to this line. Now I'm left hoping that your conclusion is that this saying is a, for the most part, a falsehood. Also, as a word of advice, you instructor may not take to kindly to hearing about how veteran nurses somehow disrespect new nurses.

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 10, 2014

Here's a story for ya: I have never experienced the fictitious "nurses eat their young". I have, however, received constructive criticism that was not all rainbows and butterflies (and that's how it should be). The words bullying, nurses eat their young, and horizontal/lateral violence are far overused in inappropriate ways. Too many people take the smallest things and blow them out of proportion.