Why nurses eat their young?

Whispera, MSN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

I think mean people are just mean people and they work in every career.

There has been research done on this topic and there's something called the "Queen Bee Syndrome" that is in play in fields where women are abundant. It's a very interesting line of reasoning.

As for me, I eat my young because they are tender, sweet, and juicy. ahem.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 17, 2014

I experienced it once, with a preceptor. I think she was just a nasty person in general. A bully. She wanted to prove how much smarter she is. Whatever. I took a long lunch that day and never went back. It was the only time I played hooky on clinical, and I didn't feel guilty. "Oops, I forgot to have her sign my timesheet, sorry professor!" :)

A preceptor doesn't have to prove they're smarter than you because they know more than you.

Going for a long lunch and never going back (or even just going for a long lunch) can (and should) get you an F for your clinical. What are you going to do if you're fortunate enough to graduate from nursing school and pass the NCLEX? Just skip out on any shift where you don't like your co-workers?

Sometimes I wish there was a "Dislike" button I could click!

Whispera, MSN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

Wow, you lied to a professor? This is not ok, whether you were being eaten or not!

I experienced it once, with a preceptor. I think she was just a nasty person in general. A bully. She wanted to prove how much smarter she is. Whatever. I took a long lunch that day and never went back. It was the only time I played hooky on clinical, and I didn't feel guilty. "Oops, I forgot to have her sign my timesheet, sorry professor!" :)

kiszi, RN · Sep 17, 2014

To add my two cents on the delivery of criticism and how it is received:

Nursing is a rare field where seemingly minor mistakes can and do cost people their lives. Perhaps that is one factor in the way we deliver constructive feedback. For example, if you are about to give IV Vanco to a patient whose creat has just hit the roof, you can bet I am going to be darn sure to let you know why, in no uncertain terms, that is not a great idea. My intent in this instance is not to be mean, but in my concern for the patient and desire for you to practice safely and become a good critical thinker, my tone might not be all sugar and butterflies.

That said, some people really do suck. Nurses are no better than anyone else.

OnlinePersona, LPN · Sep 17, 2014

there are plenty with huge egos. simple answer

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

All of the above.... Just kidding...

Carry one.

richardgecko · Sep 17, 2014

Had it happen once with a highly unprofessional clinical instructor. Never again.

I've met a baby nurse eater at my newest job but I've picked up on his shtick. He asks obscure questions to test your knowledge and see if you truly understand WHY you're doing what you're doing. I just stay on my Ps and Qs and don't let him catch me slipping

Altra, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

He asks obscure questions to test your knowledge and see if you truly understand WHY you're doing what you're doing. I just stay on my Ps and Qs and don't let him catch me slipping

Then he is not at all a "nurse eater", but a generous person, paying it forward by making YOU a better nurse.

Altra, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

I experienced it once, with a preceptor. I think she was just a nasty person in general. A bully. She wanted to prove how much smarter she is. Whatever. I took a long lunch that day and never went back. It was the only time I played hooky on clinical, and I didn't feel guilty. "Oops, I forgot to have her sign my timesheet, sorry professor!" :)

Hmm. And how'd that work out for ya?

NewYorkerGirl · Sep 17, 2014

And honestly an attitude like that should have failed you out of clinical. If I had a student peace out halfway through their clinical day you bet your sweet patooty I'd be raising hell with their instructor. The fact that you see nothing wrong with your actions is mind boggling! What happens when you are working with someone who is "mean"? Will you abandon your patients and just leave? This just disgusts me.

Why should I stay where I'm being abused? Abuse from a patient I can cope with, not from a preceptor. If I had been an employee, I could have filed a complaint for harassment based on how I was treated.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 17, 2014

Why should I stay where I'm being abused? Abuse from a patient I can cope with, not from a preceptor. If I had been an employee, I could have filed a complaint for harassment based on how I was treated.

Then you need to use the resources available to you, namely your instructor. Your state BON sets minimum hours of clinical required to qualify for sitting for NCLEX. Skipping out on your clinical day can cause you to be below the minimum hours; this as well as your obvious lack of integrity in lying to your instructor is not a good thing to be defending.

SionainnRN · Sep 17, 2014

Then you need to use the resources available to you, namely your instructor. Your state BON sets minimum hours of clinical required to qualify for sitting for NCLEX. Skipping out on your clinical day can cause you to be below the minimum hours; this as well as your obvious lack of integrity in lying to your instructor is not a good thing to be defending.

Thank you, you said it better than I was going to and probably saved me violating the TOS. Anyone who thinks it's cool to just peace out of clinicals and lie about is not someone I'd want to work with or take care of my lived ones. That behavior should have been an immediate failing if the class.