Why do nurses eat their young?

[frizzle]

I graduated with my BSN in August and immediately took a job in a critical care step-down unit. I passed my boards 2 weeks after beginning work and thought I was on my way!

WRONG! What is with this phenomenon that nurses eat their young?

I'm not threatening. I need their expertise and guidance. Boy did I find out that a preceptor and a mentor are 2 very different things!

Any advice???

Thanks!

[GardenDove]

I agree, that phrase is way over used. I can't stand catch phrases. Also, I think some folks who use the phrase might be overly sensitive to critisism, or maybe whiney.

[PANurseRN1]

Why do nurses say that nurses eat their young? I am so sick of hearing that statemtent! Kinda funny if you ask me when it is coming from a nurse- do you eat your young, too? You seem to group every nurse in there so you must, right?

Seriously. I for one am sick to death of new nurses demonizing experienced nurses.

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

1) Because they keep asking this question.

2) Because they convince themselves that this myth is reality and then the first time an experienced nurse looks at them funny, they think they have been "eaten".

[Barb101]

One has to believe there is professional pride in the industry and nurses dont turn on each other but unfortantely nursing involves people and its people who mess up a careing environment. Animals are known to eat literaterly there young to survive in hard times. Today's nurses arent animals but people. Some people do act like animals but then, that is thier choice

[arizonanurse]

I've been the new nurse on the floor, as have we all, and I've oriented a few new nurses as well. I felt very welcomed as a new grad. Of course, there was some adjustment, and the nurses wanted to see if I knew my stuff - but I expected that.

What I have found when I've oriented new nurses, though, is that some simply cannot perform the job. They can't manage five patients, and although I try to be kind and helpful, I don't have time to take care of my five patients and their five too. On a stressful day, it is easy to get annoyed with someone who needs help for everything. Of course, that doesn't make it right, but nurses are human, and nursing is stressful in and of itself. So my advice would be to work hard, try to help the other nurses whenever you can, and give yourself six months (at least) to stick it out. Once they see you can pull your own weight, it should get better. If it doesn't, find a different hospital.

[frizzle]

Thanks Tweety,

No, not all are bad - some are awesome. Guess I just didn't expect ANY of them to be anything less than caring, compassionate nurses. I'm focusing on nurturing relationships with the nurses that make good mentors, and not just good preceptors!

Merry Christmas and thanks for the encouragement.

Frizzle

[frizzle]

I'm not a whiner, just an eternal optimist and wishing that individuals that choose nursing were all compassionate and kind!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I'm not a whiner, just an eternal optimist and wishing that individuals that choose nursing were all compassionate and kind!

It would be nice if all nurses were that way. But as you're finding out there are a few out there that aren't. Just keep your rose colored glasses on and realize that we all are that bad. :)

[frizzle]

Check out other options and keep on moving 'till you find your home. Guess that's the beauty of the profession - jobs are plentiful and you need not stay if not happy.

[frizzle]

Thanks for your words of encouragment. I am the proverbial "Polly Anna" and tend to expect all nurses to be kind and compassionate - why else did they choose the career?

I have found some wonderful mentors and will use their examples as I move forward in this rewarding career.

Merry Christmas

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

You know, I have watched this situation for many years and conclude that part of it is due to the new nurse's perceptions of how things SHOULD be. Sure, some people are jerks. They will be jerks to everyone, not just new hires. And some are frustrated because you are not a dependable team player yet - that takes time. My suggestion is to do your best. Remember you will not be working with these same people the rest of your life.

[frizzle]

O.K., my last comment and then I'm going to "let it go." You are correct, I'm not a dependable team player yet, however, they weren't either when they were first hired. Don't they remember what it was like? And wouldn't we all benefit if they were less hostile, and treated new hires as if they wanted us to be part of the team? Kindof reminds me of the age old Golden Rule: Treat people like you want to be treated;-)