Not just another NETY thread....

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I was just hired into a new grad residency program. I'm an older new nurse (40ish, haha) and I didn't find any "bullying" going on in my clinical rotations: there are a lot of different personalities in any profession. In all the threads on "bullying", I stand firmly with the "older" mindset: ask good questions, work hard, and don't take things personally.

That being said, I graduated this weekend and was able to see two of my former clinical faculty who taught students on the very unit on which I was hired. Both have been nurses for a long time (and would likely both gladly take on the mantle of "crusty old bat", knowing these two amazing women) and both have had students on this unit for many years. I spoke to each separately, and each told me that the nurses on my unit can be somewhat difficult to work with, and that's me being diplomatic about what was actually said. Both said they had to choose patients for their students based on the nurse who had the patient, and not the pathophysiology of the patient, and both said that there are some nurses on the unit who have poor attitudes toward students and new nurses. I'd have taken it with a (tiny) grain of salt if it had come from a fellow student, but this is a slightly larger grain coming from two nurses for whom I have great respect.

Their advice was to keep a positive attitude and not allow myself to be dragged into the nastiness. Pretty simple advice, and something I've had extensive in life training for. I have to admit though, coming from these two nurses, who I'd consider to be tough and assertive, I'm a little nervous. I'm enthusiastic about the position, I'm organized, I want to learn as much as I can, I ask good questions (and not repetitively!)and I don't take criticism personally.....any other suggestions from the Crusty Old Bat Society on how to assimilate into a unit as a new grad? Anything that will help allay my nerves would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

you might have to use some of that therapeutic communication you learned in school. Asking open-ended questions and telling someone how their tone makes you feel might prevent misunderstandings. I think you have the right attitude and time will take care of a lot of this. Good luck.

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Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.

It's also very different being the student, or even the clinical instructor, on the unit - and then being the nurse. There are some nurses that I work with that just aren't very good teachers for students - but they are fabulous nurses and get along well with the rest of the team! I don't really think you can judge this unit and their team work based on how they treat students.

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I think their advice is spot on, and your maturity will serve you well. There's always a bit of testing testiness with new hires, but you sound like you'll take it in stride.

You also have the benefit of your former instructors being there for you. We forget sometimes that we don't just need mentors, we need champions, people who will go to bat for is as well as give us advice. Ask them prn.

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Thank you all! I have the normal "new nurse nerves" (I start in six weeks!) but hadn't been concerned about inter-employee relationships until the other day. Thank you for talking me down.

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I remember when I was hired into this new facility where I am at now, a senior RN started talking crap when I gave report; mind you, I only take crap with pleasure from physicians, NPs, PAs, and managers/supervisors. Although I was calm, I made it damn sure not to talk to me in such manner; now I have mutual respect with everyone and taken seriously. People take too much crap from too many people, especially relatively new nurses. Do your job right, and don't take crap from ANYONE under your hierarchy or at the same level of it. This helps me maintain my confidence and stress-free. I know you will nail it! Save lives.

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I work on a unit with several newer nurses. I think part of the unwelcoming feeling newer nurses get is that people forget/don't realize when a new nurse is off orientation and is working on their own. When you're on orientation, everyone knows that you've got someone watching out for you and you're "under protection". I think newer nurses need more consideration from their coworkers once that orientation period ends, and it can get missed. I think the major thing is demeanor. I've been around a long time, and have seen newer nurses who already know everything and can be defensive when I try to tell them something, complain about patients, lag in answering bed alarms, admittedly lazy, bossy, argumentative, texting at the nurses station, that sort of thing. Older nurses will be more than happy to help a newer nurse with a good attitude, who will ask questions, and is willing to take advice. Put your best foot forward and be yourself, and you'll be fine!

Best wishes and congratulations!

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By the way...what does "NETY" mean?

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Thanks- and I likely shouldn't have used the abbreviation. It stands for "nurses eating their young".

That being said, I'm not really young in an age sense. I know I am not anyone's gift to nursing, and I have a lot to learn! I feel I take criticism well, and I enjoy working with a wide variety of personalities and get along with most people well. I appreciate you all taking the time to address my concerns.

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Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.
By the way...what does "NETY" mean?

"Nurses Eating Their Young" or a variation of that acronym. There seems to be a lot of discussion of this topic on All Nurses.

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"Nurses Eating Their Young" or a variation of that acronym. There seems to be a lot of discussion of this topic on All Nurses.

Exactly....which is why I wanted to make sure everyone knew that was not my intent for this thread.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Amy, I think you've got a great understanding of both the pros and cons of being a new person and the challenges involved there. I've never subscribed to the idea that there is no truth at all to NETY or bullying. My objection has actually been that the constant bandying the term about for any little things weakens the coinage for those situations in which it really does occur, and most of us COBs can sense the difference right away.

Your case is interesting because you got a warning from the two nurses you respect. I don't really have much to add over the great advice you've received already, but I would love to hear how things are going once you do start. I really want to understand whether or not orientation nowadays is as awful as frequently described here compared to when I started and blessedly had never heard about NETY.

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