I am a new grad working in my first nursing job. It has been an extremely difficult experience, with things just now (six months later) STARTING to calm down. I wouldn't say that nurses "eat their young" in my unit, but cliques certainly exist and I have felt lost and alienated several times. To all the experienced nurses out there, I would just like to say that being a new nurse is difficult as it is. Working in a professional setting where situations are often a matter of life and death inherently add stress to the job. Not knowing your co-workers or the culture of the floor is another innate stressor. However, having co-workers exclude us, judge us, and not take the time to get to know us  is the most unnecessary stressor of the job, especially if it is a preceptor doing those things (which I have experienced). I do not know the reason for this hostility towards new nurses, but it is unfortunate and unacceptable. Someone once suggested that experienced nurses may feel threatened by a new nurse. If this is the case, then all I have to say is that new nurses are not a threat. We admire experienced nurses in every way, from their knowledge to their ease with family members. To those nurses who take the time to say "hello" and "how are you" to a new nurse - thank you. It is much appreciated.

I am a nurse of thirty years and I still remember my preceptor on my first job. She was a very difficult person to deal with, wanted nothing to do with me or any questions/problems that I came to her with. I vowed never to behave like that when around new grads. Her pat answer when ever I asked something was, "What am I? The Shell Answer Man?" She was attempting a poor takeoff on a Shell gasoline commercial where the Shell station worker was knowledgable and considerate. If I had had the gumption, I'd have told her that she was not the answer to anything. As it was I was meek and intimidated. Sure wish I could meet her now . . .

It's sad that we dont mentor each other. At times I think the culter that is provided from above in administration fosters this with many hospitals having a blame culter. It was long ago that if you made a medication error you where written up or coule be fired. Goodness help you if a doctor was in a bad mood and decided he didnt like you. This is why I think nursing at times eats its own. Many of us feel so unempowered that we take those fustrations out on those who are weeker. Much like an abused person becomes the abuser. Sadly its a viscious cycle and untill we as nurses stand up for our selves and fellow nurses it wont stop.

I feel the same way. I'm doing an internship and my first preceptor was so curt with me. She was frustrated by my questions and she either completed my tasks for me or left me to do everything on my own. I had overwhelming anxiety and I cried twice. I'm not even a crier. I can only think of 2 or 3 nurses who were actually nice to me. It was extremely discouraging. And you'd think they'd want to encourage new nurses because they don't want us all to bail before they need us someday.

 The nurses who have stood out to me: give me tips, offer to show me around, ask me if i've ever seen something, ask if I'm okay, encourage me, etc. They're friendly, curtious...but I have to say most nurses I've run into are task-focused and cliquey.