Why so much competition between nurses?

[MrsCrypes]

Every now and then, I attend nursing conferences, nursing fairs and have always noticed that there is this constant competition between nurses. I attended a PRI certification course and some nurses were so great to speak with and I actually got to network with. Then there were others who "knew it all" and could not carry a conversation with because they would somehow mention their degrees, years of specialty / being a nurse and i just want to yell, "This is not a competition!" I sometimes just want to have a down to earth conversation with a nurse and not a conversation in which they are reciting their resume to me....

What are your thoughts, stories or experiences with this?

[Asystole RN]

You must be really pretty, trump your looks with their books.

[iNurseUK, RN]

Perhaps because the job market is less competitive in the UK and because we ALL work for the single organisation the NHS I haven't noted this.

We tend to share the same moans and groans about the NHS and enjoy having a good old "I bet it is worse at MY hospital" venting session.

[Crash_Cart]

They choose to "compete," because they lack social skills and feel inferior.

This is a defensive response and quite frankly, the behavior exhibited only makes it appear more obvious they are lacking in this area.

If they were confident about themselves in their social abilities and academic achievements, there would be no need, or any desire for that matter, to appear competitive to their colleagues around them while attending these conferences.

What they are doing exactly is they are seeking to validate themselves in the company of others by becoming their resume if you will.

Does that make sense?

[MrsCrypes]

You must be really pretty, trump your looks with their books.

hahahah you're great!

I will say this, I look younger than what I am and have dual degrees in a non-nursing area, and am not hard on the eyes

[MrsCrypes]

They choose to "compete," because they lack social skills and feel inferior.

This is a defensive response and quite frankly, the behavior exhibited only makes it appear more obvious they are lacking in this area.

If they were confident about themselves in their social abilities and academic achievements, there would be no need, or any desire for that matter, to appear competitive to their colleagues around them while attending these conferences.

What they are doing exactly is they are seeking to validate themselves in the company of others by becoming their resume if you will.

Does that make sense?

Very well said, and I couldn't agree with you more.

I'm guessing you've seen this too, lol

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

In this job market, it is a competition.

[MrsCrypes]

In this job market, it is a competition.

Totally agree, but really, I have to hear someone recite their resume while at a certification course. Job fairs - it's fair game, but not during class / certification time.

[conrnmof2]

I am going to defend nurses here that do that...........Not because, I think rolling out your resume is the way to start a friendship, but I think nurses are judged constantly and Always trying to gain trust with their patients, families, doctors, social workers, co-workers, etc..... Some of us may tell about our experience as a defense mechanism due to years of constant judgement. I remember one family member told me I could not start on IV on their Mother unless I could name every vein he pointed to on his mother's arm.........We get defensive and we should not, but it is soooo hard not to. Everyone just needs to be more supportive and try to remember most of us got into this profession to help others and do some good. Some of us are better at math and some of us are better at starting IVs.............Maybe we need to develop better social skills or maybe we just need to forgive each other for being human.........

[MrsCrypes]

I am going to defend nurses here that do that...........Not because, I think rolling out your resume is the way to start a friendship, but I think nurses are judged constantly and Always trying to gain trust with their patients, families, doctors, social workers, co-workers, etc..... Some of us may tell about our experience as a defense mechanism due to years of constant judgement. I remember one family member told me I could not start on IV on their Mother unless I could name every vein he pointed to on his mother's arm.........We get defensive and we should not, but it is soooo hard not to. Everyone just needs to be more supportive and try to remember most of us got into this profession to help others and do some good. Some of us are better at math and some of us are better at starting IVs.............Maybe we need to develop better social skills or maybe we just need to forgive each other for being human.........

Better social skills....hmmm, resume reciting is just a huge turn off. When nurses do that to me, I usually tune off everything else that comes after that and move on to speaking to someone who doesn't have to show off - respectfully of course. Sometimes the people who are humble and low keyed about their 'resume' are usually the ones that have so much class and even more initials behind their names, it catches you by surprise and yet you can respect how down to earth they are

[conrnmof2]

Of course it is! I am just trying to give some insight on why some nurses do that..........Not to justify it, but try to understand why they act the way they do. I think it is snobby and silly.

[tencat]

Sometimes the more letters behind the name and the more personal horn- tooting, the more inferior the nurse....I've known several like that. I really don't care how many letters you have behind your name....can you actually be competent and professional? That's what I respect most.