Why don't nurses bond?

[bellcollector]

I have been marathon watching Chicago Fire. I have always heard that fire fighters bond and become like family and so far that is what the show portrays. I am just curious, why is it that we nurses (for the most part) do not stick together and bond like most fire fighters do? I have been a nurse for 18yrs and worked in 5 different settings. I have never seen this kind of bonding in my own personal experiences. Actually it has been quite the opposite. In school they pounded it into us to CYA. I thought at the time that we were CYA to avoid lawsuits or problems with management. I never dreamed we had to protect ourselves from each other as well. I hear a lot that it is because the profession is predominately female but I am not sure I believe that. I am sorry if this has been discussed to death just point me to the previous threads and I will be on my way. If anyone cares to share their experiences and opinions about this I would be interested to read them. Thanks

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I think you mean why don't FEMALE nurses bond. My experience as a male RNs is that the guys DO bond. Pretty much all of my friends are fellow male nurses (with a couple male MDs thrown in). We hunt, fish, camp and drink together. We are close and socialize together.

PMFB-RN.... In my experience, male nurses are a bit different from female nurses. They seem quicker to accept newbies and seem to communicate more directly-which I adore! Will I get flamed for saying this?!?

That being said, the nurses I worked with, I did bond with. But it took a little while. They were a great bunch. I still miss them, as I'm now back in school and not working.

[Farawyn]

I think you mean why don't FEMALE nurses bond. My experience as a male RNs is that the guys DO bond. Pretty much all of my friends are fellow male nurses (with a couple male MDs thrown in). We hunt, fish, camp and drink together. We are close and socialize together.

Hahahhaha!!!

I can't even.

Happy for you and your bros. Do not generalize. It's so ugly. Kthxbai.

[Farawyn]

PMFB-RN.... In my experience, male nurses are a bit different from female nurses. They seem quicker to accept newbies and seem to communicate more directly-which I adore! Will I get flamed for saying this?!?

That being said, the nurses I worked with, I did bond with. But it took a little while. They were a great bunch. I still miss them, as I'm now back in school and not working.

Not flamed. You are speaking personally.

I'm happy I experienced something different.

[Cola89]

Cola, are we bonding? :)

The charm and physique of hospital transporters... is something I can bond over

[SmilingBluEyes]

That is the problem, isn't it? Americans take their TV shows too seriously. Try turning off the TV for a while and watch your IQ go up a few points.

[Debilpn23]

I recently left a job after almost ten years to move to Florida. My coworkers were like family to me. We've been through the good, the bad, the happy and the sad.

I miss them so much

[Libby1987]

I think nursing may come as close to representing a cross section of society as is possible for a singular profession. We are extremely diverse in our personalities, work styles, subcultures, ages, hobbies..

Nursing may be our common denominator but I actually have more in common with people who ride a specific equine discipline and share intense perfectionist driven personalities than I do nurses in general or even within my speciality. Doesn't mean I'm not reliable or loyal but there's not necessarily a lot to connect over.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

I've worked several places where I've felt a bond with my coworkers.

[lavenderskies, BSN]

Maybe nurses don't bond because there are too many nurses like the one who posted the "I'm so fed up with my coworker" out there.

Nurses do bond---in the right circumstances. But if I worked with the above....I sure wouldn't.

[SororAKS, ADN, RN]

It depends on where one works. Some facilities are more welcoming and supportive, others aren't. Some facilities have good management, some don't. The ones which do, usually have a fairly closely knit staff. It's been a little of both for me.

[bellcollector]

I apologize for not acknowledging all the posts. I have had a rough few months. In and out of hospital a few times. Thank you for your thought provoking posts. I think I probably just haven't hit on the right work place yet. I never meant to imply that real life is or should be like tv. I have made some very good friends that were co-workers. I think of a few of you hit the nail on the head with the attitudes and examples set by management being paramount to the work environment. Again thank you to those of you who took the time to respond.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Feel better!!!!