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.

[alovelymother]

I don't think that people on this forum should be hateful and rude to one another, but sometimes we all need a kick in the pants.

[ewere]

due to females dominating nursing profession and also differ culture and languages, there bound to be haters among each other. and also [majorly in nigeria] the older nurse usually against the young and upcoming nurse. the solution to this is PRAYER.

[pinkfluffybunny]

1) Anyone who remembers nursing school knows that there are such things as stupid questions. That is just how life is. If you come on this board, and say something like: I am going to take my NCLEX for the sixth time in two days, any tips on how to study? You deserve to get flamed. Or if you say you want to go into nursing for the money or job security. Seriously.

2) I have realized in my very short year in a half of nursing that in order to do this job you need a thick skin. In a perfect world nurses would be like Marry Poppins, and Disney music and little blue birds would follow them wherever they go. The patients and the patients families would be nice, the doctors would be grateful, the pay would reflect the work, etc. But it's not a perfect world. I don't care who likes me. I dont care if you like me. I didn't get into this job because I wanted to make bff's with people. I care that I can do my job to the best of my ability and that my co workers do theirs. When if their nasty attitude gets in the way of pt care then it's on.

3) Don't post on a public forum, and expect everyone to agree with you. A forum is designed for dialogue. If you want to vent without feedback, start a blog. People are going to disagree, dont cry cause you feel like they were mean and hurt your feelings. See #1. The very assumption that all nurses have to be nice all the time is naive and unrealistic. Some nurses are never nice but they are still good nurses. Some nurses are just being honest.

4) To anyone just starting out, yes some of theese attitudes are reflected in the work place. Is is right? No. Will it change? Not likely. If annonymous people on a public forum have the power to upset you, just wait til the first doctor yells at you, or you have the patient from hell.

[Wild Irish LPN, LPN]

4) To anyone just starting out, yes some of theese attitudes are reflected in the work place. Is is right? No. Will it change? Not likely. If annonymous people on a public forum have the power to upset you, just wait til the first doctor yells at you, or you have the patient from hell.

totally agree....

[Cold Stethoscope]

Nice is nice, but blunt is better.

That depends on culture and, in this country, gender. Though it's more efficient to cut to the chase, some consider the blunt approach to be hostile and aggressive.

[Anoetos, BSN, RN]

And the misogyny commences.

We're you able to read my follow up?

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

That depends on culture and, in this country, gender. Though it's more efficient to cut to the chase, some consider the blunt approach to be hostile and aggressive.

Giving vapid "hang in there!" or "you're so right!" type comments might be necessary face to face sometimes, but I've always felt the virtue of the Internet is that such silliness can be side stepped.

[Anoetos, BSN, RN]

That depends on culture and, in this country, gender. Though it's more efficient to cut to the chase, some consider the blunt approach to be hostile and aggressive.

Great point, and I am glad you mentioned gender. This is exactly an area where men and women tend to differ, I think.

That said, I also think it's true that blunt women can be perceived as very threatening, especially to men...

More's the pity.

[Cold Stethoscope]

Giving vapid "hang in there!" or "you're so right!" type comments might be necessary face to face sometimes, but I've always felt the virtue of the Internet is that such silliness can be side stepped.

I agree with you. I was thinking more in terms of the work environment, but also why sometimes a poster is unhappy with the response he or she gets.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

1) Anyone who remembers nursing school knows that there are such things as stupid questions. That is just how life is. If you come on this board, and say something like: I am going to take my NCLEX for the sixth time in two days, any tips on how to study? You deserve to get flamed. Or if you say you want to go into nursing for the money or job security. Seriously.

2) I have realized in my very short year in a half of nursing that in order to do this job you need a thick skin. In a perfect world nurses would be like Marry Poppins, and Disney music and little blue birds would follow them wherever they go. The patients and the patients families would be nice, the doctors would be grateful, the pay would reflect the work, etc. But it's not a perfect world. I don't care who likes me. I dont care if you like me. I didn't get into this job because I wanted to make bff's with people. I care that I can do my job to the best of my ability and that my co workers do theirs. When if their nasty attitude gets in the way of pt care then it's on.

3) Don't post on a public forum, and expect everyone to agree with you. A forum is designed for dialogue. If you want to vent without feedback, start a blog. People are going to disagree, dont cry cause you feel like they were mean and hurt your feelings. See #1. The very assumption that all nurses have to be nice all the time is naive and unrealistic. Some nurses are never nice but they are still good nurses. Some nurses are just being honest.

4) To anyone just starting out, yes some of theese attitudes are reflected in the work place. Is is right? No. Will it change? Not likely. If annonymous people on a public forum have the power to upset you, just wait til the first doctor yells at you, or you have the patient from hell.

I agreed with much of what you said, but here's where I disagree: money and job security are legitimate reasons for wanting to be a nurse, and no one deserves to get flamed for expressing that.

[Anoetos, BSN, RN]

I agreed with much of what you said, but here's where I disagree: money and job security are legitimate reasons for wanting to be a nurse, and no one deserves to get flamed for expressing that.

I tend to agree.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

You gotta accent the positive and don't mess with Nurse In Between.