What is it going to take to change the nursing culture? I'm not talking about nurses eating their young necessarily, but just the superiority attitudes in general.
Here's my example: I went to the zoo the other day to take my mind off the NCLEX that I was unsure whether or not I passed. There were three girls sitting at a table beside me who were discussing the NCLEX (not ideal to get my mind off of it, haha). But one girl was saying that she would have been so upset if she didn't pass, and thinks if you don't pass the first time you shouldn't be a nurse. They were talking about one classmate in particular and saying how he failed and was such a loser and they would hate to know their nurse failed the NCLEX because that means you are stupid.
I've heard similar attitudes in the past. I mean, they were barely even nurses and already they have this attitude of not passing the NCLEX = you're a stupid person who shouldn't be a nurse. That is so bothersome to me as someone who considered not getting into the field due to the cattiness I had heard so much about.
Anyway, I personally think the education about kindness and consideration in the field needs to start early in nursing school to start changing the culture of nursing. It just seems like a high school clique issue that needs to be addressed before people hit the workplace. Am I the only one??
To be fair, it does sound like she included herself when she said that people who don't pass the first time shouldn't be nurses. If she'd said that the "rule" shouldn't apply to her, only to others, now that would have been offensive. As it was said, it's simply her opinion and she has the right to have one.
I agree, it was honestly just the most recent example that had me thinking about it again, one example of many that I have heard. I think my main issue is I would hate for that to transfer to the workplace, not that these specific people were bad or weren't allowed to have an opinion.
Talking about/gossiping about someone behind their back isn't very classy, but trust me; it's not unique to nursing students. People of all ages and different careers do it.
And very true, just something I thought might be nice to have addressed in a nursing program, we did not discuss workplace relations. For people who are just entering the workforce in general (I haven't worked as a nurse but have had other jobs) I think it can be difficult to get the hang of interpersonal dynamics and how it isn't high school anymore.
And people can have their opinions about whether failing at NCLEX means you are loser and unworthy of becoming a nurse. That's just an opinion.
I agree you can have an opinion on it, certainly! But the attitude it suggests is not one that is very accepting and although it wasn't shown in this example, it can be very damaging if the person involved catches wind
For people who are just entering the workforce in general (I haven't worked as a nurI think it can be difficult to get the hang of interpersonal dynamics and how it isn't high school anymore.
Well that certainly wasn't answering my question, and everyone can have their opinion on zoos. I think the point was first of all that I couldn't help but overhear them as I was sitting right next to their table, and it was one example that I've heard of many, just the most recent one which is why I picked it.
In my experience, people who eavesdrop on other people's conversations are bound at some point to hear something they are going to wish they hadn't. The young women were talking amongst themselves, they were already there and you chose to sit near them, and you were not included in their conversation. People are entitled to their opinions about zoos, and people are also entitled to their opinions about people who don't pass the NCLEX on the first pass.
So, some people who are "barely even nurses" have negative opinions about people who don't pass the NCLEX on the first try, and some people who are also barely even nurses have negative opinions about people who have opinions about how many times it takes to pass the NCLEX. I don't really see a substantive difference. Being judgmental is being judgmental.
OP, I know what you are trying to say, but this happens in every sector of the working force. Gossip and cattiness. I promise. I've worked in several different professions.
You just need to disregard the chat and focus on you. Karma will catch up to those gossipers.
In my experience, people who eavesdrop on other people's conversations are bound at some point to hear something they are going to wish they hadn't. The young women were talking amongst themselves, they were already there and you chose to sit near them, and you were not included in their conversation. People are entitled to their opinions about zoos, and people are also entitled to their opinions about people who don't pass the NCLEX on the first pass.
So, some people who are "barely even nurses" have negative opinions about people who don't pass the NCLEX on the first try, and some people who are also barely even nurses have negative opinions about people who have opinions about how many times it takes to pass the NCLEX. I don't really see a substantive difference. Being judgmental is being judgmental.
As I said, this was a recent example that was fresh in my mind, not the only time I've heard something similar (and not by way of eavesdropping, more like toxic gossip). My issue is when things like this transfer over into practice, not that people might think those who fail the NCLEX the first time around are bad nurses. You can certainly think that, and it's fine, just would hate to be on a floor with people who gossiped around like that. I think maybe I came across a bit more harsh than I meant to, because I have no issues with these people in particular.
So, some people who are "barely even nurses" have negative opinions about people who don't pass the NCLEX on the first try, and some people who are also barely even nurses have negative opinions about people who have opinions about how many times it takes to pass the NCLEX. I don't really see a substantive difference. Being judgmental is being judgmental.
How about people who have negative opinions about people who have negative opinions about people who have negative opinions about those who failed the NCLEX?
OP, I know what you are trying to say, but this happens in every sector of the working force. Gossip and cattiness. I promise. I've worked in several different professions.
You just need to disregard the chat and focus on you. Karma will catch up to those gossipers.
I understand that this happens in multiple workplaces, I think somehow I didn't do enough to focus on what I wanted to say and put in too much backstory. I wanted ideas at how this could be addressed in nursing schools specifically to hopefully improve the nursing workplace, that was really the meat of my question.
How about people who have negative opinions about people who have negative opinions about people who have negative opinions about those who failed the NCLEX?
I understand that this happens in multiple workplaces, I think somehow I didn't do enough to focus on what I wanted to say and put in too much backstory. I wanted ideas at how this could be addressed in nursing schools specifically to hopefully improve the nursing workplace, that was really the meat of my question.
I really do think you can find cattiness where ever you go, I don't believe nursing has an exclusive or even higher rate of it....
But it would be nice if interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution was a required college class. Then maybe we'd exchange dealing with situations in a direct and professional manner, rather then assumptions and miscommunications that lead to bias, hurt feelings and disharmony.
But we are human, with good and bad days, at different backgrounds, levels of maturity, experience and knowledge. I'm afraid cattiness in the work place will continue to be a #firstworldproblem.
I actually went through the trouble of creating an account just so I could comment on this.
The first few comments (after which I stopped reading) ... I have to say ... y'all are just obnoxious. This is EXACTLY what she was talking about, and to the OP, let me tell you, you are exactly right. The problem is, it's not just in nursing. And the good thing is, it's not on all nursing units.
Let me elaborate. I worked 2 years on a floor with absolute ******* ... a lot of shallow, mean, petty, horrible people I collectively called, "The Sorority." I then worked 2 years on another unit with a group of women (and a few men) I absolutely loved. We were all mutually supportive, everyone was kind to each other, everyone seemed ultimately really into nursing. The personalities were all over the place, but the bottom line was professionalism and kindness.
I have worked many other places outside of nursing and found the same thing: sometimes you hit a sour group (like the crap people on this thread) and sometimes you find a really great one.
Best of luck to you, and just remember ... if you find yourself "hating nursing," give another unit a try. May not even have to be a different type of unit, but just a change of scenery. Also remember the first year will be tough, and that if after 4-5 years you really don't warm up to it, don't be afraid to make a life change.
WheatGerm
82 Posts
And very true, just something I thought might be nice to have addressed in a nursing program, we did not discuss workplace relations. For people who are just entering the workforce in general (I haven't worked as a nurse but have had other jobs) I think it can be difficult to get the hang of interpersonal dynamics and how it isn't high school anymore.