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.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

This is the internet, so you have to accept the good, the bad, the ugly. Certain remarks, and even certain posters, we learn to take with a grain of salt. The poster who remarked, "you're clinical skills suck," well, obviously they are insensitive, and do not represent AN as a whole. A remark such as that makes them look bad. Period. Overall, I've found AN members to be very supportive. Otherwise, I wouldn't continue to return 2 years later.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

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.

That's wonderful that you believe in the power of prayer, but not everyone out there believes this. Please respect that

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

A nursing educator expressed some ideas on why this 'mean' phenomenon occurs on his blog. Some would say that nurses perceive themselves to be oppressed and, therefore, lash out on others around them. Click on the link below to read more if you are interested.

There has been something interesting observed in psychological studies of people who are opressed or who perceive themselves to be so. At times, in an effort to feel empowered and stable, these very people can become oppressive to others themselves; sort of a false hierarchy emerges based on assumed criteria that seem to establish a social order.

Oriented Times Three: One Role of Humility in Nursing Education

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I'd wager that if we stopped to visit on a teacher forum or a social work forum or even a lunch-lady forum we would see the exact same complaints about people being "mean". Nurses do not have a corner on the market of being rude. It's just that's the environment to which you are being exposed. It boils down to this...some humans are horrible people and a certain percentage of them go into nursing. It has nothing to do with being a nurse and everything to do with being a flawed person,

Very true ... but on a nursing forum you get the added kick that anything less than blind cheerleading is somehow *un-nurse-like* because it's not positive or supportive enough.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Very true ... but on a nursing forum you get the added kick that anything less than blind cheerleading is somehow *un-nurse-like* because it's not positive or supportive enough.

Very true. Often, I've read posts and responses where the OP asks a question, and when they don't receive the answer they want, members are accused of being mean. There's a huge difference between "mean" and honest. If you can't handle the responses, don't ask the question.

[Dixon, future NP]

A nursing educator expressed some ideas on why this 'mean' phenomenon occurs on his blog. Some would say that nurses perceive themselves to be oppressed and, therefore, lash out on others around them. Click on the link below to read more if you are interested.

Oriented Times Three: One Role of Humility in Nursing Education

Thanks for sharing, I really appreciate this. I think it answers my question and is very informative.

[Anoetos, BSN, RN]

A nursing educator expressed some ideas on why this 'mean' phenomenon occurs on his blog. Some would say that nurses perceive themselves to be oppressed and, therefore, lash out on others around them. Click on the link below to read more if you are interested.

Oriented Times Three: One Role of Humility in Nursing Education

Makes perfect sense to me.

[pookyp, LPN]

It reminds me of something that happens on Facebook quite often. I will paraphrase what some people often will post... "Hi, I'm a drama queen and I need your prayers and support just so I can feel like I'm the center of attention on fb for a few minutes. I'm not going to tell you why, or answer any questions because that would spoil my plan. May God bless you all and thank you so very much in advance!"

So true! Lol!

[Stephalump]

It reminds me of something that happens on Facebook quite often. I will paraphrase what some people often will post... "Hi, I'm a drama queen and I need your prayers and support just so I can feel like I'm the center of attention on fb for a few minutes. I'm not going to tell you why, or answer any questions because that would spoil my plan. May God bless you all and thank you so very much in advance!"

Yes!!!! I want to delete that person. Every time.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

Yes!!!! I want to delete that person. Every time.

Lol I already did. I view AN this way. Anything that is said isn't in my face unless I want it to be. Its not a face to face situation so everything can be ignored.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I do think that we would like to believe that everyone's intentions are good ones, however, that is almost impossible to tell someone's intent or tone on a posting. Unless they use all sorts of smileys and such. When one has a face to face conversation, body language and tone of voice, use of slang--all go into how one interperts and reacts to a conversation. Just as an example "that is stupid" can mean that someone thinks one's idea is dumb, or wicked awesome. Younger people are used to text only conversations, and as an older nurse, I really have a hard time trying to set a tone with a written word read by people who don't know me personally.

In any event, I have learned a great deal from this forum, I tend to enjoy some lively debate or Yikes, watch out moments. I definetely have to say enough is enough when I feel like I am using 152 adjectives to get my point across the way it was intended, because then I do get a bit fired up. I, like many others, have strong opinions on things--but that is all they are, opinions, I am not trying to get someone to come over to the dark side (even though I have cookies). Believe it or not, I have attempted to tone down the sarcastic comedy that is part of my personality, because my goal is not to rip someone to shreds, but I am known in the real world as calling what it is what it is,and knowing when to say it is what it is.

Best advice--much like groups that are anonymus, take what you need and throw the rest away.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

...... the solution to this is PRAYER.

Uhm, ya, there's that.......

(saracasm button off now, REALLY......)