"Eat their young"

Nurses Relations

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I am a new graduate nurse and on my own for 3 months now and still learning. A week or 2 weeks ago, I had been assigned to a small bowel obstruction patient. At bedside report from PM shift the RN told me that the patient had some emesis and was given zofran which helped him. I didn't question the nurse about how much the patient's emesis was and if the doctor was notified. Since he was given zofran, he was fine after that. So, I monitor the patient and he did not have any symptoms of nausea/vomiting overnight. The next morning I did a bedside report with one of the nurse, thinking everything was okay. Well, I got spoken to by the educator about the importance of asking all these important questions while getting report. It didn't occur to me at the time when getting the report to ask these questions (how much and if md was notified and if any new orders were given). This nurse likes to bully new graduate nurse. She likes to report us to the educator instead of given us tips and advice. I rather work as a team and help me become better at asking questions rather than getting it from the educator 1-2 weeks later. She's one that likes to complain about everyone at work. It can be stressful and makes me feel like a loser. Now I'm questioning myself if I will ever become good at asking the right questions during bedside report. This is how I am feeling right now. The educator will be talking to the PM nurse about giving good bedside report, too. So, should I let this incident go and learn from it or should I discuss this with the department supervisor about it and see if there's anything that can help me become better at asking the right questions?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Clearly, giving report is one of the great fears of the novice nurse/new graduate. I remember dreading giving report to the experienced nurses coming on after me. It took me time to learn what was relevant and what was not. NOT ONCE when corrected, or talked to about it, did I consider it "being eaten". I would like to see that ("eating our young") phrase stricken from our vocabulary, consciousness and nursing practice. You were corrected. You needed that correction, education and guidance. That is part of learning. Next time, you will do better because you know better.

Quit trying to brush off an earnest effort to teach you how to give effective report (which is hugely important, more than you may currently know) as "bullying" (which this is NOT)----- and take your lumps. Then, just move on. But for the love of Pete, don't blame others for wanting to know the right, relevant and timely information about their patients when they come on. It's part of your Nurse Practice Act requirements for you to give concise, effective and timely information during hand-off. Just learn it and do it right. Blaming others for your own hurt feelings and current shortcomings, teaches and nets you nothing.

Good luck.

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Stop talking nonsense about nurses eating their young. You made a newbie mistake; a coworker identified this and directed it to the person responsible for educating you; said educator did her job. I fail to to see your victimization here. Own up, learn on the job, and you'll be fine.

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So, should I let this incident go and learn from it or should I discuss this with the department supervisor about it and see if there's anything that can help me become better at asking the right questions?

Yes, you should let this "incident" go and learn from it. What you can do to become better at asking the right questions is to accept any and all feedback from your colleagues (nurses, educators, supervisors, etc) with an open mind. Listen to what people have to tell you and consider their message whether you like the delivery or not. You will learn new things every time you go to work and will have plenty of lessons in humility as you make your way through the steep learning curve that every new nurse experiences. Don't let your pride or *feelings* get in the way of you growing as person or as a professional.

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Reporting you to the nurse educator isn't bullying. She's not required to give you tips or advice - that's the educators job. If you'd rather her come to you before talking to the educator, have you asked her to? My guess is no.

You are not being eaten or bullied and if you feel like a loser, that's all on you. You're in control of how you feel and how you allow others to make you feel.

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Specializes in ICU.

Detailed reports are important. Regardless of what some people will tell you on here. It's important.

Two weeks ago, my pt had a BP issue. Next morning, I told the oncimingnurse what happened. What I gave for the high BP initially, as the order was still in the system. 10mg of Hydralizine. It didn't touch, so pt put on a nicardipine drip at 0130. Here is how pt responded. Which is why we were at 118 systolicly at 0730 and not 200. It's all important. Interventions and when doc is called and how they responded is important.

You also need to send that on in next report. People don't understand how important report is. It needs to be detailed, and you need to do your part. It's not anybody bullying you.

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It does not sound from what you are describing that she is eating you - perhaps she took a small bite - no idea.

Tragedy at St. Mary's Hospital as Nurse Tries to Eat Another Nurse | GomerBlog

"Pillsburg had one final comment for GomerBlog reporters. Had I known that nurses actually try to eat their young, I never would have jumped into this absolute madness of nursing!”

Sorry - could not resist...

To answer your question: It seems that the nurse recognized a gap in your professional practice and brought that to the educator's attention. You are still learning to get a handle on everything and providing safe care is your priority. It depends on your area of work on what detailed questions to ask. If you are working on surgery floors or with heart failure , obviously I & O are very important. If you have somebody with bowel obstruction you might want to ask questions that pertain to directly to what is going on and display critical thinking.

Instead of getting into a power struggle with that nurse get her on your side and make "friends" with her. For example - if you happen to work with her and have a problem or complicated issue, go to her and ask her for her opinion an advise. Show her that you value her input.

You question your whole nursing career and nursing practice because one nurse asked the educator to bring something to your attention - I think you are a bit too thin skinned. It is unrealistic to expect being perfect after 3 months. Not every nurse wants to teach other nurses. Take it as a learning opportunity - it will take at least a year until you feel somewhat more comfortable and 2 years until you feel you have more clue.

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Eh... when most of my patients vomit, it ends up on the floor, their gown, or a bed with clean sheets. The best I can tell someone is whether it was a little or a lot of fluid. Very subjective and illustrates ideal nursing vs what actually happens.

But I disgress. Try not to take it personally. It's not bullying. The nurse just felt like you should have included the mls in report. I find it odd that she just didn't ask you, but that could just be her style. Take her criticism and shoot to be that ideal nurse.Don't let this small thing get to you.

Edit- I just saw the other concern was notifying the MD. Learning when to call the doc as a new grad takes time. Listen to the more experienced nurses. You will need them!

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Need.To.Back.Away.From.The.Keyboard.:banghead:

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You weren't bullied you were informed that you need to work on an area of practice that you are less than fabulous in. Giving and getting report is a learned skill and you showed you didn't yet do it well, so you were educated by the educator.

How you feel about that is on you. Some people take direction well and learn and grow and improve. Some complain that they are picked on and bullied and fail to learn anything at all. Those that learn and improve become better nurses. Those that don't recognize the gift they are getting in the form of correction stay subpar nurses.

Which type are you, and what kind of nurse do you want to be?

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Specializes in Hospital medicine; NP precepting; staff education.

Snark alert:

just give her the participation award and she'll feel better.

I agree with PP that you were not bullied, at least from what you shared with us.

I recommend finding ways to accept constructive criticism, learn from every opportunity possible, and hang in there.

Good luck!

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Yup. you have been eaten.

Go to HR.

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