I have been hearing the tale about NETY the older nurse who takes great joy in making new nursesfeel so bad that many leave the profession after an encounter with her. For the record I have never been bullied during my career especially when I was starting out. I had great preceptors who were always willing to teach me and show me interesting things.
I my own experience as I have gotten older I find that so-called collateral violence seems to occur more often from younger nurses towards older nurses. We have all encountered a new, fresh out of school nurse who thinks they know it all and has nothing to learn from those of us who fall into the crusty old bat category. They are jaded before they even start!
One observation that I have seen in the past few years is that we as a culture have raised a generation of people who are offended by just about everything. It used to be if someone had a difference of opinion with you it was just that - we shrugged our shoulders and moved on. Now we feel compelled to tell others how offended and bullied we are for being different.
In my career I have encountered a few rather unpleasant personalities. Sometimes they have done/said things that were not very nice but It has never risen to the height of actual bullying mainly because I confront such behavior. Being in recovery has taught me a lot about letting go of fear and resentment. In one case a rather jerky nurse said out loud in the nurse's station " I heard your a drunk! Is that true?" I could have chosen to walk away but instead I just looked at him and said "That's drunk in recovery to you - I'll be happy to talk to you later in private if you want." Turned on my heel and went about my duties.
I don't let things fester and stew - I don't have enough room in my head to let other people rent space there. In fact I often don't think of work at all when I am not there.
So can't we just retire NETY and move on with the knowledge that there are jerks everywhere.
