Why do nurses eat their young?

[cinthern]

I received my DREAM JOB last June in L&D as a new grad and was basically taught everything I know from my wonderful preceptor. I was hired for nights, because that was what was available at the time of hire, but let the nurse manager know right then and there that IF EVER a day time position opened up, and nobody else wanted it, I would be very interested.

I oriented on days for 8 months, and started the night shift about 8 weeks ago. Right before I was going to nights it was clear that days were being shorted, and they were going to open up a day spot. NOBODY FROM NIGHTS WANTED THIS POSITION, and I inquired about it with my "fellow coworkers". Well, what I got was the complete opposite of what I expected. These "fellow coworkers" who complimented me on a daily basis of what a great learner I was, a team player, and a wonderful DR nurse turned on me so fast that my head was spinning. When I privately asked my preceptor what everyone was so upset was, she pointed her finger in my face and sternly said "I SAT IN ON YOUR INTERVIEW 8 MONTHS AGO, AND YOU CLEARLY STATED THAT YOU WWOULD WORK NIGHTS!" She then went on to say that people would be very angry if I went to the day shift being a brand new grad and all. Again, let me remind you, NOBODY WANTED THE DAY POSITION. Then, a per diem day person decided to take it.

2 months later, in walks a nurse from another hospital who was hired to work days, never saw her before, no job was posted, nothing. Just came out of the blue. Again, I questioned it, and had my head bit off from many people who think I have no right to inquire or even desire a day shift so soon in my "career".

Anyway, just wanted to vent, can anyone explain why this occurs? All input is greatly appreciated.

TIA!

Jennie

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Why do any nurses think of themselves as anyone's ''young''. Come on, now, we're all grown ups and shouldn't be thinking of anyone other than our parents in a Mommy and Daddy sort of way. If veteran nurses are rude to you, it has nothing to do with you being their ''young''. It has to do with the different ways that people handle stress or dissension.

It degrades our entire profession when anyone, rookies or veterans, uses infantilizing terms to describe interpersonal relationships.

:yelclap::yelclap::yeahthat::w00t:

[nurse79]

yes nurses DO eat their young..its really pathetic. I too remember being a LOWLY student nurse and having a rough time with nurses wanting to help. I never got in the way, but the majority of them were so unapprochable. Dont get me wrong, i did learn alot from them as well, but it is pretty sad. even on the floors u can see how certain seasoned RNs eat up the newbies...its like "sink or swim". Ive been new to L/D and ive seen that as well. It is a shame, no wonder why RNs get burned out so soon. It is a profession where u have to look out for your own behind. of course we all "stick together" but for the most part, i dont trust alot of RNs.

[Gennaver, MSN]

yes nurses DO eat their young..its really pathetic. I too remember being a LOWLY student nurse and having a rough time with nurses wanting to help. I never got in the way, but the majority of them were so unapprochable. Dont get me wrong, i did learn alot from them as well, but it is pretty sad. even on the floors u can see how certain seasoned RNs eat up the newbies...its like "sink or swim". Ive been new to L/D and ive seen that as well. It is a shame, no wonder why RNs get burned out so soon. It is a profession where u have to look out for your own behind. of course we all "stick together" but for the most part, i dont trust alot of RNs.

Hello,

The previous two posters were so eloquent in promoting the strength of our profession.

Possibly those who are feeling as "lowly" or like "yung'ins" were not fully mature?

I am a 40 year old soon to be professional and have had successes and failures and experiences in my life. At this stage of the game, no one is going to "eat me up" nor leave me to "sink or swim", possilby that is because I know how to use a life preserver?

The word should not be v i c t i m newbie nurses but, new professionals. If you do not trust a lot of RNs, (assuming you mean both those you do and do not know),then I agree that it is wise to use discretion in who you do trust, again, professional.

Gen

[Bluse]

This is so correct. They feel like crap actually and are just taking it out on you.

[newyorknursey]

Hi,

You describe all the newbies on your unit as being pretty much depressed aobu tyour situation...grinding depression of being at the bottom...

Sounds to me like you are in a toxic place an you should ALL resign. Walk. You are all new and all depressed and in a cruddy job. Why stay? It will not get better. Obvioulsy there were serious issues or else why would there be a whole slew of newbies? What caused that rapid turnover?

Bail!!!! All of ya! Just my two pennies.

Gen

i am curious what difference it will be to nurse in the army- it is an intensely busy floor, it is new york city- with challenging pace in any case (and tons o' attitude) not the friendly neighbourhood hospital....the day shift is stressful and alot of senior nurses who are on the verge of retirement- not unusual for civilian nursing in 2007. or new york. but yes, it may mean moving somewhere more rural to be able to feel more satisfied...

please let us know how you find your new career when you graduate- i would love to hear your experiences!!!!!

much thanks!!!!!!

hb

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

it is an intensely busy floor, it is new york city- with challenging pace in any case (and tons o' attitude) not the friendly neighbourhood hospital....the day shift is stressful and alot of senior nurses who are on the verge of retirement- not unusual for civilian nursing in 2007. or new york. but yes, it may mean moving somewhere more rural to be able to feel more satisfied...

I hate to burst your bubble....but as a native Floridian and southerner, I dealt with less attitude, less pace and less stress in Manhattan hospitals, than in Florida during "The Season". Despite the fact that many of the patients are quite literally the same.

Much the same can be said of Boston, though I can say there was some heavy attitude in Philly - not as bad as FL but worse than Manhattan or Boston.

In many of the northern hospitals, management does not let visitors/patients run all over the staff as they do in the Forprofits, customer service oriented facilities in smaller areas. I had visitors evicted (literally picked up and carried out) for problem behavior in NYC/Philly facilities that would have had management licking their Manolos in West Palm Beach.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Rural or urban, there are bullies all around. I have worked in rural Oklahoma and urban Tacoma, Washington, so I can say this with personal experience.

That is why I keep telling folks they have to learn self-assertion skills and how to cope with these types. It's not simply a matter of "blaming the victims" here but teaching folks they CAN get the upper hand and function well in most environments if they can simply change their behaviors and attitudes a bit.

[newyorknursey]

I hate to burst your bubble....but as a native Floridian and southerner, I dealt with less attitude, less pace and less stress in Manhattan hospitals, than in Florida during "The Season". Despite the fact that many of the patients are quite literally the same.

Much the same can be said of Boston, though I can say there was some heavy attitude in Philly - not as bad as FL but worse than Manhattan or Boston.

In many of the northern hospitals, management does not let visitors/patients run all over the staff as they do in the Forprofits, customer service oriented facilities in smaller areas. I had visitors evicted (literally picked up and carried out) for problem behavior in NYC/Philly facilities that would have had management licking their Manolos in West Palm Beach.

I am starting to think that as a newbie i have to accept the mountain of constructive criticism, and discern it from the insulting non-constructive criticism ... attitude may be ubiquitous, but so are well-meaning nurses who are just stressed AND genuinely trying to help me learn.

by the way, when i say rural may be less stress i am thinking of the kind of canadian backwaters i am from- maybe still a fantasy not founded in the reality there- any rural canadian nurses out there can give me a reality check..?

much thanks!!!!!!!!

hb

[newyorknursey]

Why do any nurses think of themselves as anyone's ''young''. Come on, now, we're all grown ups and shouldn't be thinking of anyone other than our parents in a Mommy and Daddy sort of way. If veteran nurses are rude to you, it has nothing to do with you being their ''young''. It has to do with the different ways that people handle stress or dissension.

It degrades our entire profession when anyone, rookies or veterans, uses infantilizing terms to describe interpersonal relationships.

On my floor one of the senior nurses who is often a nurse-eater will sound like a silly schoolgirl with a male doctor. like it or not, alot of nurses are so grown up (in a generation that did not value 'women's work' ) they do not value any new nurse as a professional who deserves respect and collegiality. This quote above is condescending and dismissive of the experiences of we who are flabberghasted we would be treated so unprofessionally by our own collegues.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

On my floor one of the senior nurses who is often a nurse-eater will sound like a silly schoolgirl with a male doctor. like it or not, alot of nurses are so grown up (in a generation that did not value 'women's work' ) they do not value any new nurse as a professional who deserves respect and collegiality. This quote above is condescending and dismissive of the experiences of we who are flabberghasted we would be treated so unprofessionally by our own collegues.

We should be respectful of those who have been eaten for sure without dismissing their feelings.

However, because of the one nurse you describe are you willing to say that as a profession we eat our young and we all should be lumped into the group this person you describe is?

At the same time saying "we all adults and should behave as such" is a pipe dream.

Also, interesting theory about the generation that didn't value "women's work" and thus don't respect persons in the profession. I've never heard that. Something to think about.

[TrudyRN]

because they're hungry. :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

[newyorknursey]

the fawning-over-doctor-whilst-chewing-on-nurses nurse I mentioned is so experienced clinically she would be an excellent practitioner rather than an overburdened clinical nurse who (of course!!) can see everything that needs to be done - that maybe isn't being done, and thus is very crabby.

are we obligated to fulfill ourselves by reaching further in our career ambitions to avoid this kind of 'eating the young'. being a nurse is very demanding. we owe it to ourselves to seek advanced degrees and resist the stagnation that begets resentments and 'eating' others.