Why do nurses eat their young?

MaryEMT · May 19, 2010

Can't enlighten you but I felt similiar frustration when I first became an EMT. I was at a company training and one of the paramedics made fun of the way I had stabilized an arm (I did it exactly as I had learned in class and needed to do it for the practical). He said now do it with tape around the splints (rather than cravets) like people REALLY do it. I was new how was I supposed to know? Anyway my theory is people like to feel better about themselves. Instead of making fun of you they could just show you their way, and you can still choose to do things your way unless its actually wrong. Hang in there and just remember feeling like this and you can help stop the cycle of nurses eating their young!

chacomom · May 19, 2010

I think nurses that treat you this way are burnt out and like to make themselves feel better by point out what the "new Grad" doesn't know.

Everybody was new sometime in the past.

Nursing is difficult because some mistakes you make can have horrid consequences for the patient.

If you do't know something, ask. But also think of possible solutions to the problem

Kill the with kindness. And remember when you have gained some experience and another new grad comes along, treat them with the respect you would have like to have had from your coworkers.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · May 19, 2010

because every ten years, we Mertz Dragon needs a new McGillicuddie meal!

:nuke: :smackingf :tinkbll::gtch::grn::brnfrt: :nono: Sorry, I coldn't find a dragon. I hope you know I'm just kidding and this is how I really

feel. :hug:

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · May 19, 2010

I am a new grad that started off in a post partum unit at a small community hospital (not a teaching hospital). I live in a state where it is very hard to get a job right now if you are a new nurse. I never in a million years thought I would get the opportunity to start out in a specialty area, let alone at this hospital.
But I have felt a decent amount of resentment and disrespect from some of the nurses, and I don't understand why. I think I am doing pretty good, but for some reason I feel that I have been labeled as a "new grad". As if these nurses came out of the womb experienced nurses.
I have been corrected for doing things the PROPER way, and they have made fun of me for doing things like re priming IV tubing instead of doing their little shortcut things like dripping IV solution all over the floor when priming or not using a syringe to suck air out of a line (a air bubble that was at least 3 feet long). I just don't understand why they are so nasty and treating me as if I am an outsider. I am not by any means at all coming across as a "know it all". I know these nurses are all really good nurses and I can really learn a lot from them, but their attitudes toward me are really making it hard for me to look up to them as role models!!
Can someone please enlighten me?

They probably feel threatened. Take in some group food once a week or so. After a while, invite them out for a coke after shift.

ganhosa · May 19, 2010

I am sorry to hear what you have been through. Unfortunately, some of nurses lack of collegiality. Nursing is a profession, rather than vocation, because we support, assist and counsel other nurses, and nursing students. I still bitterly remember my horrible preceptor and the staff duringn my senior preceptorship completely ingoring my existance, laughing outloud over my performance or questions...

Yes, a new addition can sometimes delay the staff members work speed but we need to be a mentor and a supporter to those who just stepped into this great, proud profession. People tend to forget that they once were newbies. I have a little over a year of nursing experience now but I remind myself everytime around new staff or students how not to behave, thanks to my mean preceptor and staff members.

Cheer yourself up. You are doing fantastic job. :yeah:

Just learn from them what you wouldn't do once you become seasoned nurse!

2bmejor · May 19, 2010

there are no excuses in the world to explain this behavior. i feel they are intimidated by your confidence, your enthusiasm and the proper techniques you are implementing. remember safety is first. your obligation is to safeguard your patients and do no harm. yes it is necessary to have a good relationship with your peers, to be respected as a professional and to gain their trust but you need their respect and support for who you really are not because you need to simulate their behavior. you can also play stupid and cheerful by asking these nurses their rationale for doing things or by given them compliments when you think they have done a good job at something or by telling them that you value their experience and dedication. i learned people like to be recognized for their efforts. you might even say in a meeting that so and so helped you with a difficult patient or similar situation, recognizing their contribution in public, you look humble and they look like true dedicated professionals. hope it helps.

50caliber · May 19, 2010

Don't put so much into it or be so sensitive to it. Just roll with it. Learn as much as you can even at their expense. They may poke fun at you but you can actually learn a lot from seeing things done differently. There is no 1 way to do something. You can pick you and chose what works for you as long as it it correct and safe.

After you show them that you are comfortable and competent, they will open up to you and perhaps "accept" you knowing that you can handle your fair share of the work and perhaps be an asset. New grads are a liability until proven otherwise. So just have fun and roll with it and don't take everything so personal.

EmmyBee · May 19, 2010

Don't put so much into it or be so sensitive to it. Just roll with it. Learn as much as you can even at their expense. They may poke fun at you but you can actually learn a lot from seeing things done differently. There is no 1 way to do something. You can pick you and chose what works for you as long as it it correct and safe.
After you show them that you are comfortable and competent, they will open up to you and perhaps "accept" you knowing that you can handle your fair share of the work and perhaps be an asset. New grads are a liability until proven otherwise. So just have fun and roll with it and don't take everything so personal.

I agree with 50. I feel the old saying, "kill 'em with kindness" has often worked for me. I'm back to agency nursing right now while in school. I'm doing Hospice, so I don't work with other nurses. But at my last facility, when I first started, many of the nurses and CNAs were very unfriendly. I wasn't a new grad, but the "new" nurse. When I asked questions or asked for help, they would make rude comments or look at me like they wanted to choke me. :lol2:

I didn't let them intimidate me. I took it in stride. I was always very kind and treated them with respect. When they offered suggestions , I thanked them. I offered to help when possible and did my share of work. After a while, I was even good friends with the people who no one got along with (there are usually one or two of those everywhere).

I'm not saying to be a doormat or kiss up to them. But just give it some time and don't get discouraged. They will come around!

subee, MSN, CRNA · May 19, 2010

I am a new grad that started off in a post partum unit at a small community hospital (not a teaching hospital). I live in a state where it is very hard to get a job right now if you are a new nurse. I never in a million years thought I would get the opportunity to start out in a specialty area, let alone at this hospital.
But I have felt a decent amount of resentment and disrespect from some of the nurses, and I don't understand why. I think I am doing pretty good, but for some reason I feel that I have been labeled as a "new grad". As if these nurses came out of the womb experienced nurses.
I have been corrected for doing things the PROPER way, and they have made fun of me for doing things like re priming IV tubing instead of doing their little shortcut things like dripping IV solution all over the floor when priming or not using a syringe to suck air out of a line (a air bubble that was at least 3 feet long). I just don't understand why they are so nasty and treating me as if I am an outsider. I am not by any means at all coming across as a "know it all". I know these nurses are all really good nurses and I can really learn a lot from them, but their attitudes toward me are really making it hard for me to look up to them as role models!!
Can someone please enlighten me?

With people like that I just tell myself that "It must be very hard to be so unhappy and rude that they get their jollies picking on me." When you're more confident and experienced, you'll know what to do. Say nothing now but work on your comebacks. Make a sign for the inside of the bathroom doors. "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." Plato 425-347 B.C.

PetiteOpRN · May 19, 2010

you can also play stupid and cheerful by asking these nurses their rationale for doing things or by given them compliments when you think they have done a good job at something or by telling them that you value their experience and dedication. i learned people like to be recognized for their efforts.

i would be very careful about this. these kind of comments can sound know-it-all-ish and even condescending when coming from a new grad to an experienced nurse. i have seen new grads (and even students) get really burned for doing things like this, even though they were just trying to interact with their preceptor in a positive way.

sometimes the best thing to do is to have a big slice of humble pie for breakfast before coming to work. be careful what you do/say and try to see if you are sending any signals that the nurses might find offensive.

MntnGirl · May 20, 2010

I agree with many of the above posts. Try to take these remarks in stride, don't carry them around with you. I'm a firm believer that there is no way possible that I am going to be able to get along with everybody, there are just way too many personality types out there for me to "mesh" with everyone. Because I know that we're not all meant to be "besties" I can recognize that it is my responsibility to not take things personally and to not let others' negativity determine how my day is going to progress - I've had to check my sensitivity (in relation to coworkers) at the door but I'm okay with this. Kill em with kindness and try your darndest to not partake in this sort of judgement. What I perceive as meanness is not necessarily seen as such by others and vice versa. This is a topic that I have been working on in many aspects of my life not just nursing; it is something I have worked on since high school days and I think will continue to work on for many years down the road. Good Luck.