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

[nursel56]

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.

Thanks for updating us, bellcollector. All of us are subject to being overwhelmed by events, and their timing, which we have no control over. It's good to see you've forged friendships with former co-workers. That says a lot about your strengths as a person. All the best!