Why nurses eat their young?

Updated:   Published

Is it because they don't get paid well enough?

Gossip? Mean doctors? New grads? stress at work?

Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Just once, I would like to see some data on this nurses eat their young theory. I have been in a lot of classes and inservices lately with excellent instructors and educators who were so lovely in their interactions with the young nurses. I have been complimented for being approachable and a good resource for the young ones.

While in a class today I heard an orientee complaining/ rolling her eyes that her preceptorship included shifts in the cath lab like it was not worthwhile? When confronted which someone will have to do at some point, is she going to cry that she is being eaten by the core staff. Possibly so.

What I would like to know is, that for every negative experience, how many mentors and preceptors were kind and gracious and went above and beyond to help that young nurse build skills, good judgement and confidence? 20 to one?

I would really like to see a well designed survey on this issue that goes in to depth (unit, length of orientation, etc.) on what new nurses perceive as being 'eaten' and over what kinds of issues, tardiness, poor technique, safety, etc. I hate that expression. We can't stop it until we define it.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Why? Because they are tasty! Seriously though...I've been a nurse for quite a while. Longer than some, not as long as others. I have never experienced or seen it happen. I have worked with less than pleasant nurses, but then those nurses were less than pleasant with everyone whether young or old.

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Specializes in CVICU CCRN.

I wanted to add, I'm doing my final practicum now on a high-stress specialty unit. My preceptors have 18 and 28 years of experience in their specialty, respectively. They are truly AWESOME. The one with 28 years of experience has never precepted before; she thought she wouldn't be good at it. She's actually my favorite of the two. So call them COBs if you wish, but I love them to death and will be forever thankful to them for sharing their knowledge with an enthusiastic newbie. Nothing in life is all rainbows and unicorns, but things can still be dam good, even with the occasional cloudburst. :)

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icuRNmaggie said "Just once, I would like to see some data on this nurses eat their young theory."

Sorry, the data was eaten along with the young nurses.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Sigh.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, Trauma ICU.
icuRNmaggie said "Just once, I would like to see some data on this nurses eat their young theory."

Sorry, the data was eaten along with the young nurses.

Ooh paper wrapped young? Sounds crunchy and delicious!!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Do I need to start popping the popcorn? I'll take drink orders too. I'm having a dirty martini, what are you drinking?

Cosmopolitan, baby! Or perhaps just the classic gin/vodka tonic. Hmmm...now I'm craving a cosmo. It's 5:00pm somewhere, isn't it?

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Not to minimize the negative experiences people have had (because I know that struggle can be real, y'all), but I've had an amazing experience with support from experienced nurses. My preceptors were amazing. One of my supervisors declared herself as my mentor. Even being on my own now, my coworkers are always there to point me in the right direction and jump in to help me when I'm drowning.

The most helpful haven't been my recently graduated colleagues (even though you'd think they'd be the most empathetic since the new grad experience is so fresh) - they've been my coworkers who have been in the field for decades.

So it's not ALL bad out there. I think it's just hard to see the good when you're beaten down by a bad apple out there.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

How about THIS: a new nurse eating his old? Yep dealt with that with a brand-new nurse whom I precepted who was rude, condescending, patronizing and quick to throw anyone under the bus to save his own butt. It cuts both ways, my friends. BOTH ways. When solid YEARS of experience is looked at with disdain, and the nurse is unwilling to take ANY constructive and (NOT mean) criticism, I have a real problem. And I worry about the future of that nurse and anyone unfortunate to be working at his side.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
There us nothing special about nursing...other than the magical power of smelling c-diff a mile away. Which is a pretty crappy super power.

No pun intended?

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Specializes in Emergency Room, Trauma ICU.
No pun intended?

The pun is always intended!!

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
The pun is always intended!!

Pun Contest - Joke Puns (Pun of the Day)

Sorry, waaaaay of topic. :saint:

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