Why are Nurses so mean to each other?

[Dixon, future NP]

I can't quite understand it. Nursing students, pre-nursing students and Nurses come here for support and advice but unfortunately they are greeted with a bunch of negativity and discouraged by fellow Nurses. We are professionals. I know it makes it easy to say negative things because you're hiding behind your computer but this is childish behavior.

I understand this behavior is not everyone. I would like to thank those who have been supportive of myself and others.

[Stephalump]

Gotta say. I really haven't found this site to be different than any others. Some people are dark coulda of doom. Some people are bright rays of sunshine. Some people can't rest easythey've asserted some sort of dominance. Some people are too scared to ever come out of lurking. And everything possible in between.

If you're looking for a forum where everyone joins avatar hands and signs kumbya, you'll probably be looking for a veeeeerry long time.

[Wild Irish LPN, LPN]

I believe that just as in life (real world) that there are negative personalities here at AN....but that is the minority....what I do see is the constant need to for some to be valued in respect to the initials that follow their names (NP,MSN,BSN,RN,LPN)....that is what get's me crazy, many posts relate back to the "heirarchy" of nursing and why one is better than the other....I avoid those threads now because I know how angry I get, not worth my time....that being said, I have found that this is a great place to make friends and learn about my craft....I love it here....

[Wild Irish LPN, LPN]

Actually, that was a *student nurse* who posted that.

Yikes...that is a bummer....

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

I used to be part of a stay at home mom online community. I found that during the summer or when the kids were out on breaks, the moms were extremely harsh and judgmental. I don't know why, but it was a coincidence that was like clock work. Reminds me of this site. I didn't join this site until I took my nclex, I probably would've gotten eaten alive as a student.

I think some nurses feel that they had to go through a lot to get where they are, and they aren't going to make it any easier for the next person...an initiation of some sort. Some nurses might be afraid that if they teach the new nurses the tricks of the trade, they will become better nurses than they are.

...the pupil surpasses the teacher.

Regardless, I enjoy this site and overlook the negativity just like I overlook it at my workplace. Fortunately, it's smaller in comparison to the support.

[Dixon, future NP]

Actually, that was a *student nurse* who posted that.

I said ”Nurse” in a general sense because I can't tell who is who unless stated.

[Anoetos, BSN, RN]

Here is a question bound to irritate many:

How much of this is dependent upon nursing being a female dominated profession?

[Dixon, future NP]

I used to be part of a stay at home mom online community. I found that during the summer or when the kids were out on breaks, the moms were extremely harsh and judgmental. I don't know why, but it was a coincidence that was like clock work. Reminds me of this site. I didn't join this site until I took my nclex, I probably would've gotten eaten alive as a student.

I think some nurses feel that they had to go through a lot to get where they are, and they aren't going to make it any easier for the next person...an initiation of some sort. Some nurses might be afraid that if they teach the new nurses the tricks of the trade, they will become better nurses than they are.

...the pupil surpasses the teacher.

Regardless, I enjoy this site and overlook the negativity just like I overlook it at my workplace. Fortunately, it's smaller in comparison to the support.

I recognize that I will have to overlook the negativity and starting here will be a good place. Thanks!

[lockheart678]

The attitudes on this site are no worse than in real life. Actually, I've noticed it seems like people are a lot nicer here than what I've experienced while working. The whole I'm better than you mentality is really stupid though. I see a lot of that in my new job right now, and I'm starting to think it's because they're intimidated by me and have to "prove" that they're smarter and do things better than I do. I just try my best to ignore them and only talk back to them when they're being completely inappropriate. I know what I'm capable of and I've got nothing to prove to anyone. As far as I'm concerned, they can think what they want. It's not like it matters.

[Dixon, future NP]

Here is a question bound to irritate many:

How much of this is dependent upon nursing being a female dominated profession?

I almost said something to this effect because I have heard many physicians say this...but I didn't because I don't think it is accurate...not yet anyway!

[pnut8377]

That's exactly why I'm careful what I post on here and I haven't posted as often as I like. I once read a post where this person was at a really low point in her career and she was feeling like giving up the first few posts were all negative and some just plain mean. I couldn't believe it. I thought to myself, these people are supposed to be nurses, you know, kind, caring, and compassionate, the qualities I think people expect from nurses. But then more supportive people started commenting and it got much better. There are going to be people like this no matter where you are and what field you work in. It's just the world we live in.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

I'd say for the same reasons humans in general are "mean" to each other, and the same reasons people in general shoot their mouths off a lot in the internet in particular. I do not believe at all that this phenomena is unique to nursing in the least.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

Support comes in a lot of different styles. Just because we don't say what you want to hear doesn't mean you don't need to hear it.. People wont always agree, you wont hear all rainbows all the time, that doesn't mean we don't want you to succeed. If you (general you) not anyone specific, made a med error that harmed someone but are not taking responsibility for the error, many members here will not cuddle you until you admit your fault in the error. Same goes for a nurse in recovery, if all you are worried about it the BON and not your pts safety and your health, we will not cuddle you but encourage you to leave nursing and seek help.

There are many more examples I could give but I hope you understand where I am going.. I rarely see negativity on here just to be mean or put others down. I do see hard truths the OP was not ready to hear re: their own actions.