Do nurses really get along this well??

[shippoRN]

Im not sure if this has already been discussed, but I always hear stories about nurses not getting along, being mean and what not to each other. At my job, in every unit of the hospital the nurses all have such great comraderie. They really work as a team and get along very well. Of course there are one or two that have their spats and such and don't like each other but its rear to see at my hospital. I just got in from the anual holiday party for one of the services and its just facinating how the nurses, MD's, assistants, fellows and what not all are like one big happy family. For those of you who are nurses or like me who is a pre-nursing student that work with nurses, are the stories true about nurses cutting each other's throat or not getting alone? Am I in a very unrealistic environment and am in for a rude awakening for when I become an RN?

Im really curious...

[crb613, BSN, RN]

The ones I work with are awesome! We all get along, & jump in to help each other if needed. We all work hard (no slackers) & no one sits to chart or takes a break until we are all caught up! We can knock out an admit in a heartbeat......Now on opposite the shift it is not that way.....They take care of only their pt's.....so if you are swamped..too bad. I went in, & worked this shift one time....will not ever do it again if these certain nurses are working.

[Scrubz]

All of this depends on the facility and the people in it. You'll find good, bad, and everything inbetween, just like any other profession. I know I wouldn't want to work with crappy nurses with crap attitudes though. I'm a CNA at my local hospital and some of the nurses there.. ugh.. But some of them are great.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

I think that a lot of the bad posts that you read are mostly people venting. Actually, most work with some really good people. If they didn't, I don't think they would stay employed at their jobs for very long. I have worked with some really terrific nurses over the years. There were lots of times when I couldn't wait to get dressed and off to work because despite how stressful or intense the patients could be, I just enjoyed hanging out with my co-workers. There have been one or two that I wouldn't exactly get chummy with, but for the most part all have been great. Remember that the squeaky wheels are the ones that get the most grease. Those are the ones you're going to read about and hear on the news.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I think most units are probably in between the extremes of great commaraderie and toxic backstabbing cattieness. Most units nurses are just doing the best they can, help each other when they can, and ask for help and it's usually given.

I don't think you're in for a rude awakening. Just don't judge the entire profession if you come across one or two bad people. If you get a bad preceptor don't come here and scream "why do nurses eat their young", or you come across a couple of a catty people don't come here and ask "why are all nurses so catty". Always stop and look at the big picture.

Rose colored glasses are definately not in order, but it's not all black either.

There are some units you can stay and deal with the individuals, and unfortunately there are units that aren't a fit for everyone.

Good luck!