Nurses who eat their young

[Sarahbrown]

I am writing to make a comment to all nurses and nursing students. It's to the ones who treat their patients, fellow co-workers and fellow colleagues less than as a human being. I can see why the health care profession lacks so much in genuine care. To have to deal with nurses with disgusting attitudes and how they treat eachother disgusts me. If it wasnt for the fact that I want to be a nurse, I would have left the field a long time ago. Im in nursing school and I also work in a facility. Some of the students in my class have no understanding about being professional, and the clicks are terrible. They cut eachother apart as though we were animals. It's unfortunate that these kinds of people give nursing a bad name. If I were a patient, I could tell you the nurses I wouldn't want to take care of me. I know I cannot stop this behavoir, and it's a shame that Im always reading about some kind of abuse or overmedicated pt's. I really think nursing schools should also evaluate behavior on a weekly basis, as well as a care plan. Anyone smart enough can pass a state board, but the people who need to feel important by tearing some ones integrity and life apart need to be disciplined by their peers. It's one way that this perhaps can reduce the amount of jerks out there in the field. With all of the technology we have and increasing knowledge in our field you'd think that nurses would also move with the times. I read so many horror stories in this website that I dont think I will ever work in a facility after I graduate, because I might meet up with a nurse that doenst like the way I look or talk, and will do everything in thier power to destroy my genuine intentions of caring for people. Ive seen nurses set eachother up for failure, professors that treat nursing students cruelly just because they dont LIKE you. Well I dont like everyone either. It would be impossible to, however everyone has the right who meets the criteria to be a nurse has the RIGHT to be ONE. So if there are any nurses or nursing students reading this and this applies to you. Remember some day you might be the object of a bad nurse, or even be a patient. And the only way this can stop is to start with your behaior, and attitude, because it makes me wonder then why did you go into the field. And someday somewhere you will have to answer for the bad behavior, and meet a bigger fish than you and eat you alive. Im am sick of nurse's who eat their young. No wonder there is always a shortage, and nurses have to work so many hours. Who would want to work under these poor conditions. You have no idea that if all this selfdestruction would stop how much easier it would be to get the job done, and maybe you who complaint and tear eachother apart and try to see the good in your fellow worker, and humble thyself you might learn something from eachother that would be of great value, and use it in your own profession, for the good of your patients and fellow colleagues. After all are we not in nursing for patients benefit. Let's get off the power game and remember why we're in this. It's a hard enough field. I would love to see how many students would pass school based on their behavior. Professors really need to get rid of their bias opinions as well. I also got stories that can make your hair stand. If some of the bad could get weeded out during school, maybe we could start a new trend and break terrible cycles that are tearing down our profession. So to all the horrible nurses out there, If you need me to work for you, I may not want to help you out if I know a jerk is going to be there. Dont need the money or aggrevation .

[SmilingBluEyes]

I hear the passion in your post and your words are well-taken. You bring out many, many valid points. Just know this subject is addressed almost continually on this site and many of us are aware and doing our best NOT to "eat our young".

Also, remember, for every "young-eater", there is often a new nurse or student who comes off "entitled" and difficult to work with, as well. So, the only thing I have left to say, is, like I said before (and many others, too):

Remember the GOLDEN RULE!!! This would apply to all nurses, old and young!

Best wishes to you. If you care to read more about "nurses eating their young" there are many,many threads on the subject, and some things written there, may help you some. Good luck to you!

[Jo Dirt]

The way you talk you've been in school quite awhile...?

I've been in nursing a little over 4 yrs. and I have seen a lot of whiney, self-centered nurses, but none that I can say have been working with the sole intent on destroying other nurses.

Sometimes I think if I hear the term "nurses eat their young" one more time I'll scream.

If you find a place where the attitudes suck then get yourself away from there because there are likely a lot more problems they have than stinky attitudes.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

There are definately a few bad apples in nursing and in nursing school. Your points are well taken.

I also maintain that most of us are good, are patient-centered and struggle with the conditions we are under to maintain quality, or at bare minimum acceptable care for our patients.

You look for nurses who eat their young you're going to find them. Personally, I do my very best to not judge the entire profession on the very few who might get off on eating their young and destroying other people and the profession.

I agree with the statement that if you're in an environment where those kinds of nurses are the norm and the majority, get out!

[kellyo, LPN]

The first semester (for me) is almost over, the gloves are off and the claws are coming out. I know exactly what you mean. "Nursing School" would make a highly-viewed "reality" program.

I

[HarryPotter]

SarahBrown: good for you!!! I hope we don't loose you to the bad apples. I firmly believe that we can change the bullly culture that exists in healthcare and we need people like you to do it. Legislation probably is the way to go about it. There are countries, other than the US, where their are more broad anti-harrassment laws and policies. And, I believe the State of Oregon also has a broader policiy as does the UK and Canada.

[AllenJ]

So to all the horrible nurses out there, If you need me to work for you, I may not want to help you out if I know a jerk is going to be there. Dont need the money or aggrevation .

Good luck SarahBrown, i'm sure you'll find a good team to join, like everyone else had previously said, unfortunately there are bad apples amongsts the good apples but with more people like yourself voicing out, the bad ones hopefully can be weeded out or converted.

Once again best wishes.