Nursing students eat their young too.

[Destined4More]

A little background on me: I am a generic nursing student (I am not a LPN/LVN) aiming to graduate with a degree. I do work as a Med Tech at a healthcare facility for about three years now. When I first started the nursing program in May 2013, everyone in my class was a generic (GS). But due to personal circumstances 90% into the program I had to stop and regroup before I can hop back into the program again.

Fast forward to February 2015: I am back in school! But this time, because I was far into the program, I was placed in the next available class with transition nursing students (LPN/LVN to RN). When I first started going to class with the transition students (TS) it was not known by my classmates that I am a GS (even now only a few classmates know). To be honest, I did not do anything to confirm or deny whether I was or not.

Couple weeks ago my classmates were discussing how several GS failed to pass at a clinical site because they could not properly demonstrate a head to toe assessment. Also, upon further inspection by the preceptor on-site, one of the GS could not show the correct placement when auscultating with a stethoscope. At first, as a GS, I was embarrassed to hear this, but as the discussion continued my classmates were going on about how GS are utterly "incompetent" and how it serves them right to fail if they "could not do the easiest part of nursing". I was dissappointed in my classmates and a little discouraged. I wish I could have thought of something to say at that point but I did not. It felt like I was a fly on the wall or more appropriately a sheep in wolves clothing because obviously no one in this group knew there was a GS among them. In that particular situation, yes, the GS should have been more knowledgeable, but this is not an isolated situation. Students are brought down or seen as inferior because of limited experience in the medical field. I would hear or see the disdain that TS have for "those generics" because of the GS inexperience or misunderstanding. So why does nursing students have such a toxic superiority complex toward one another? Instead, we should be helping each other toward the goal of state board approved Registered Nurses. Where is the camaraderie?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It's an unfortunate aspect of human nature that many people prop up their own egos & sense of self-worth by pointing out how others are 'not as good' as they are. I don't think that these folks can ever change because it is an essential part of their character. Theoretically, this is indicative of compensation for deep-seated insecurity. But who cares.... IMO, there's no excuse for nasty.

Me? I like to poke the bear. When I hear someone ranting on and on about "them", I like to casually interject that I am one of "them" (even if I'm not) & watch how quickly the backtracking occurs... "Oh, you're different - this doesn't apply to you". Typical passive-aggressive behavior, right?

Now you know exactly what kind of people they are. Use that information to guide your future interactions.

[Destined4More]

I definitely agree! I just wish people, especially those who are in the healthcare field, were more aware of how much impact such comments could have on a person. Even when the comments are not said directly to the person in question. You never know who's listening.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Why on earth would you care what they think? Learn what you have to learn, do well, and that will be your best revenge.

Remember that most nursing students are NOT former LPN/LVN and yet they manage to learn how to be nurses just fine. Also, as a former instructor, I can tell you that a lot of that bad attitude is related to that "I know everything an RN knows, I just need the credential" mentality. Well, they don't, and they are the hardest ones to get to really understand their new target responsibilities and take that step up.

Don't make that leap to NETY (nurses eat ...) so fast. Something else entirely is going on here, and you can recognize it and then safely ignore it.

Good luck!

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

That's not NETY. That's just trash talk and that's normal for a lot of human beings at any time, in any place.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

You are wasting your time worrying about what others say. And to that the entire nurses eat their young is ridiculus. Most who say that are lazy and unprofessional and are looking to excuse their horrific work performance (ie..isn't my fault..they are mean to me..etc). You work hard and are professional and reliable and people WILL help you. I will help any new nurse with a good attitude and works hard and pays attention. Good luck!

[Karou]

All sorts of people like to put down others to make themselves feel better. When you have a large group of people (nursing students) where there are sub groups (GS and TS) it seems natural that there would be some sort of competitive cattiness between the groups. Especially when it's mainly women involved.

As someone who started as an LVN/LPN, I would agree that there is a sort of cockiness that these students can have. They are already nurses, sometimes with impressive hospital experience and knowledge. Some are only going back to school to keep their hospital jobs. There is a kind of resentment that seeds when you are forced to go back to school to keep a job that you have been doing for 10+ years. Unfortunately some students allow this attitude to close their minds to what they could be learning in school.

It wouldn't hurt to remind these students that they once started with zero knowledge base as well. Everyone's learning. It's not a race or competition.

I would mostly stay away from the drama though. Continue to keep your head down and do your best. You can only be responsible for yourself.

[musingmom]

This is not a universal experience. My cohort regularly made themselves available to support and encourage new students, starting at orientation.

I'm not invalidating your experience, it sounds really unpleasant. I'm just pointing out that there are other programs that do not experience that dynamic.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

That's not NETY. That's just trash talk and that's normal for a lot of human beings at any time, in any place.

This.

Trash talk and competition is not new human nature. Let's not compare to a mythical concept called NETY.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

As already pointed out, your example of NETY is not even close. Might I mention that the main reason is because NOONE in your story is a NURSE. Like you've already been told, hold your head up and move on. I've never heard of a "generic" nursing student before though, that is a new one on me!