I've worked in the gov't for 15 years and have decided to head into nursing. It was a decision that was a few years in the making. My wife has a few more years in the gov't than I do (she's an engineer) and thanks to her income, we can afford to send me to school for my BSN. I made this decision even though I've read many, many, many posts that talk about nurses eating their young. I absolutely hate that expression by the way! That said, I haven't seen the same number of complaints being generated by the men. Most seem more satisfied in their nursing careers than the women.
My question is, do you guys FREQUENTLY have similar problems with fellow nurses? I mean, we all have run-ins with co-workers every now and then. Hell, EVERY office setting or job environment will have that. But it just seems 10x worse in the nursing environment.
I've had fleeting thoughts about dropping nursing and going into a different career (Financial advisor maybe), but I've never run in fear before from anything I've wanted to do, so why start now? Right? I figure if I can walk off of Parris Island with a smile on my face and the Eagle, Globe and Anchor on my uniform, I can do anything.
There is a difference. I work on a floor with 7 male nurses and believe me I have yet to see one of them "break down and cry" and when and if that day does ever occur it must be something pretty bad that happened.............:chuckle
This is a tough one. I was ate before, by an angry charge nurse. It was my first year as a nurse and it was because of my lack of knowledge over a certain subject pertaining to my patient. Let me just say that this is the last time I was consumed. I have 10 yrs experience now and I think that has a lot to do with it. Increasing knowledge is a good thing. Ive had many nurses try to eat me since this incident but they do not usually get very far. Its an interesting phenomenon. Nursing eating their young. Have I done it? NO. Have I wanted to? At times, when I work with an agency nurse that does not know what they are doing. I usually try to have a "more hopeful" attitude. But their are times I have to bite my lip. Ive never had another male nurse try this though. Stay with the profession. Some times you can learn from being chewed on. Its like a good wine. It gets better with time.
I agree that in many cases, "being eaten alive" is something we allow to happen to ourselves. Even though I am a woman, I have always stood up for myself: so, I have never had too much problem with it.
In other words, "becoming a victim" is something a lot of women do to themselves.
Sure, the nursing world is not perfect -- just as no realm of human activity is perfect. But if you can survive Paris Island, you can probably survive nursing if you set your mind to it.
I agree that in many cases, "being eaten alive" is something we allow to happen to ourselves. Even though I am a woman, I have always stood up for myself: so, I have never had too much problem with it.
In other words, "becoming a victim" is something a lot of women do to themselves.
Sure, the nursing world is not perfect -- just as no realm of human activity is perfect. But if you can survive Paris Island, you can probably survive nursing if you set your mind to it.
Oh for God's sake...suck it up man and quit being such a woman...........................JUST KIDDING I love working with guys. . I think that some nurses are just insecure so they have to prove that they know a little something by being so matter-of-fact, know-it-all and just plain anal. What helps is those nurses who make you feel accepted and who are strong enough to let you know that they've been there and can relate to whatever you're going through.
You kinda lost me at the "cow eats the cabbage" metaphor...
Could you reiterate?
Pretty much a southern thing I reckon. It pretty much means standing your ground and letting them know how it is. Simply put "I respect that you are more experienced than I am, but this doesn't allow you to walk all over me, and you don't sign my paycheck". "I will also not stand for any negative comments about my lack of knowledge in a certain area as I am more than willing to learn what I do not know". "If you cannot add something helpful please mind your own business and ****".
DONN
69 Posts
There is a difference. I work on a floor with 7 male nurses and believe me I have yet to see one of them "break down and cry" and when and if that day does ever occur it must be something pretty bad that happened.............:chuckle