Why Is Compassion and Support missing in Nursing?

[Steph1985]

 

As nurses, we enter this profession with a deep sense of empathy, compassion, and a commitment to caring for others. We are trained to provide the highest level of care for our patients, guided by integrity, trust, and the understanding that we are all human. Yet, it's disheartening to witness the way some of us treat one another.

New nurses, fresh to the field, often face an uphill battle, not just with the learning curve of the profession, but with the lack of kindness and respect from their more experienced colleagues. We've all been there—the anxious feeling of being a beginner, trying to navigate new responsibilities, and yes, we all made mistakes. But instead of offering a helping hand or a word of encouragement, some choose to belittle, gossip, and even sabotage the growth of new nurses. How do we expect a new graduate to succeed if we constantly tear them down, rather than uplift them? Our role as mentors should be to guide, not to criticize. If we don't support them, how can we expect them to become the best nurses they can be?

Furthermore, just because you have the ear of leadership does not give you the right to spread falsehoods or manipulate the narrative about a colleague. Seniority should never be used as an excuse to disrespect others, to lie about their actions, or to create an environment where complaints are punished with retaliation. When a new nurse feels intimidated or targeted, their potential for growth diminishes, and the entire team suffers.

Being in the field for years doesn't make anyone invincible. No matter how long you've worked, we're all replaceable. But the knowledge, empathy, and guidance we give to others, especially those just starting, will shape the future of nursing. There is enough space for everyone to grow.

To the senior nurses who recognize the importance of mentorship, thank you. You are the examples we need in this profession—those who don't judge, and who genuinely want to see their colleagues succeed.

The culture of support is greatly lacking , and we are so divided. Nursing is about caring for each other, too. We must choose kindness, be willing to teach, and make room for everyone to succeed. 

[heron, ASN, RN]

Umm ... over-generalize much?

Short answer: nurses are human. Also, manure rolls downhill.

See also "compassion fatigue".

Start the popcorn and pass the junior mints.

[Steph1985]

Compassion fatigue? That's a no from the panel. If someone is experiencing compassion fatigue, they may need a long vacation—or to seriously reconsider whether nursing is the right career for them. This profession demands resilience, empathy, and consistent emotional presence.

Let's be clear: not all poor behavior can be blamed on compassion fatigue. Some people are simply making choices—to gossip, backstab, lie, stir drama, or create a toxic environment. That's not burnout; that's a lack of maturity and professionalism. We're talking about grown adults acting like unsupervised toddlers. Let's stop labeling bad behavior as something clinical. It's not always a condition—it's often a choice.

[heron, ASN, RN]

That  popcorn done, yet?

You asked a question so over-generalized that it's practically meaningless. I gave some of the points that came immediately to mind as I read it. It was interesting to see how you filled in the blanks. We'll have to agree to disagree.

Peace out.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

The not going to management with every little thing like a 5 year old running to mommy and saying "mommy, look what she did!" I can totally agree with. That's just immature behavior from somebody who should be expected to behave like a professional adult.  The same with the gossip girls groups that act like a bunch of petty high schoolers.  Unfortunately that's also human nature, I've dealt with one or both of those types everywhere I've worked, not just in the nursing profession.

As for expecting all nurses to encourage and mentor new nurses, that is a crock of the brown stuff.  Mainly because most workplaces we are already overworked, understaffed and underpaid.  Partly just because  not every nurse has the personality to be an effective mentor. We are too busy running our tails off to get our work done, who has time to mentor that new nurse?  If employers expect new hires to be properly trained and yes, mentored in their role they need to first assign that new nurse to work with one experienced nurse that is a great preceptor for long enough that the new nurse is reasonably proficient and ready to practice independently and they need to pay that preceptor extra for being willing to take on that role.