Why Do Nurses Eat Their Young?

Great article. I am glad I already have lots of practice at leaving mean people be where they are!Respect is so important! Would love to hear more about the kitchen tonsillectomy!

Fortunately I have no memory but my Grandma said I was a "perfect angel" Thank you for your response. I am a strong advocate of Teamwork in the workplace. Particulary in Nursing. As Director of Staff Development I made it the core of my teaching and as a Charge Nurse on the floor I practiced what I preached. The result was outstanding. The blueprint for building a team was centered around two concepts. The first one was "Who is the most important person in the hospital?" And the second was "Raising the Bar". It didn't happen overnight and there was resistance from Charge Nurses and Supervisors but fortunatly for me I had a D.O.N. and Administrator give me a green light. Building a team and team pride goes a long way improving patient care, relieving stress and creating a positive work environment. It can start with just one simple idea. Instead of just saying "Thank you" or "You did a good job". Catch someone doing something good and acknowledge their effort. Let them know they are making a difference. That is the seed that must be nurtured and allowed to grow. In that environment there is no room for being mean or condesending to a co-worker. Those weeds soon die for lack of oxygen and water. Once again Thank you for your comment.

Because it is a profession comprised primarily of women and women can be vicious, catty, jealous beotches. Not only that, but you are taking women of all ages and throwing them together. I have always found it was the older, fatter unattractive, bitter battleaxes that " eat their young" . It's as though they are trying to get back at all the girls who were mean to them in high school.

NurseJacqui -You have a point. There are people out there women and men who get a kick out of harrassing a newbie or oldie just for the fun of getting a reaction. It's my opinion, with more than 50 years in the trenches, a good part of it is because women, for the most part, have not learned how to be a team leader or a member of a team. It has only been within the last decade or so that women have had an opportunity to learn the value of being a part of a team, in sports, business and politics for example. The team concept is dymanic. It brings people together. It puts everyone on the same page working for the same goals and those who can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. Knowing everyone has your back insteading of stabbing it sets the tone for cooperation and mutual respect.

I have been a nurse 10 years and I remember being new and being in tears trying to give report to ICU. This nurse KNEW I was new and was hell bent on tearing me down. I made a vow to never treat another nurse the way I was treated. It is cruel and completely unnecessary

Trust me I can relate and you're right. I'm spent a more than few tears in the linen closet on more than one occasion. In my day, waaay back then, when women were given a title such as Charge Nurse or Supervisor they acted Warlords. My program was only the second Practical Nurse Program in the State of Massachusetts. We were a new concept and untried and not accepted as legitiment members of the Nursing Team. The RN's hated us and even to this day some still do. That is one reason I advocate so strongly for training RN's, LVN/LPN's and CNA;s the team concept. That is where roles and expectations are clearly defined, goals are established and mutally agreed too. Everyone is in the same boat and everyone is expected to pull in the same direction. The "I Gotcha" mentality melts away and the quality of care goes up. Sounds like a "pie in the sky concept" but it works. It ruffles some feathers until it comes together but once that happens you wake up every day ready to really make a difference and knowing when you leave you accomplished that goal. I have a plaque on my wall that says "Nursing Is The Gentle Art Of Caring". The operative word here for me is "Gentle" then "Art of Caring". I like it. It fits.

Thanks for the interesting article. This is something that I've had to deal with, as a nurse leader, when supporting new staff. While team building is essential and I think we do a pretty good job of it most of the time, there seems to be a stubborn few whose negative outlook on life overshadows their professional responsibilities. Sometimes, nurse leaders/managers just need to call these nurses on their behaviour. Another thing I try to be mindful of is not lumping everyone together and recognizing that each nurse comes with their own past experiences, beliefs and values. While it is no excuse for bad behaviour, it certainly helps me to look at these people with a different lens and hopefully lets me approach them with a more helpful, sympathetic (and yes, more respectful) manner. (This is not to say that I don't feel like tearing my hair out on the inside sometimes too!)

Glad to learn you are involved in team building. You have peaked my interest. Who are these stubborn people and what do .they do? How do they interact with the other team players and how do the other team players interact with them? "While team building is essential and I think we do a pretty good job of it most of the time, there seems to be a stubborn few whose negative outlook on life overshadows their professional responsibilities."There are always going to be negative people but their outlook on life should not overshadow their professional responsibilities, in my opinion. Who is the most important person in your facility? The Patient is the most important person in any facility. If they are in the nursing profession showing up for work should be the highlight of their day. It is a time for them to shine. It is a time for them to really make a difference. My attitude is when they walk through that door it's not about them. It's about their professional responsibilities and the level of care they are going to give someone who is in worst shape than them. That may seem harsh and I don't know the circumstance but you are right when you say they should be called on their behavior. Why should we tear our hair out when all we want is for them to give their best performance to everyone in their care and who they work with. I don't advocate treating them harshly or with resentment or anger . There are ways to deal with negative behavior and raising the bar of expectations is one of them.

As a new nurse and a nursing student a short 4 months ago, this is something that I can most definitely relate to. It's inspiring to come on to these forums and see that there are plenty of people who feel the same way and have gone through the same experiences! It really is unfortunate that people don't value team work more! I firmly believe in karma and that what you put out there will in some way shape or form come back to you, good OR bad! Whenever I come across a senior nurse that gives me "problems", I just try my best not to take it personally, keep in mind that it isn't my fault that they have an attitude problem and it probably isn't the most fun having people on staff despise them! The best thing to do is "kill them with kindness" and maintain professionalism. I'm all about equality! At the risk of sounding super cheesy, equality IS in the best interest of the patient Thanks for writing this article, really sheds light on an issue that needs to be addressed!

Quote from NurseJacquiBecause it is a profession comprised primarily of women and women can be vicious, catty, jealous beotches. Not only that, but you are taking women of all ages and throwing them together. I have always found it was the older, fatter unattractive, bitter battleaxes that " eat their young" . It's as though they are trying to get back at all the girls who were mean to them in high school.

Lesliel - That is the problem. You shouldn't have to go through this. I don't agree you should "kill them with kindness" and let Karma take care of the rest. When someone gives you a hard time you can in a very soft voice, which is barely audible say something like "Thank you very much. I didn't realize you were that interested in helping me." and then walk away or go do something else. But your voice needs to be just about a whisper. I know it sounds cooky but it does two things. One. you get their attention and two they don't know what you said. If they ask you what you said. Just smile and say I thanked you for wanting to help me. People get confused when you confront them with a positive. In other words get their attention and go on the offensive. Once they figure out they are not going to get to you they will quit trying. I hope it works for you. It has for me more than once.

My Miss G was a nun. A huge woman who was head nurse and instructor when students were on her ward. She had a dual mission -bound and determined to make me a nurse and a Roman Catholic. Her first question to me over those glasses was a - are you a Roman Catholic man? I remember my stomach as I could not find the voice to answer her but finally did with 'NO MAME' with my eyes downcast.Her response, I will never forget was loud and commanding like the voice of G*d Himself "THAT IS SISTER MARY REDEMPTA TO YOU" Well the good sister got half of her mission accomplished. Yes they were pretty tough and rough in those days but the care was outstanding. I became critically ill in clinical rotation - guess who was at my bedside at 2am doing special private duty when I woke up from a morphine fog and drenched with sweat? I thought it was an angel at first till I heard "that voice" booming as ever asking if I wanted a drink or was in pain ?I was very ill with a renal cyst infection and fevers. I then recall her wiping my forehead, ever so gently like a mother with a child,with a cold cloths and praying the beads as I drifted back to sleep. Yet she still taught clinical the next day after being by my bedside all night. Sadly less than what is reflective in the attitudes and results that I have come across in this advanced generation. Gee I am sounding old here - lol. What I do miss is the respect that was back then but then again do not miss the cost that sometimes went with it.Great article thank you much.MarcPS -- thank you Sister Mary Redempta and yes I know where you are and perhaps I should be saying Saint Sister Mary Redempta.