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Nurses Aren’t Eating Their Young — We’re Starving The Profession

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By Adam J. Wickett, BSN, RN

I know what I’m about to say is unpopular, and maybe even controversial within our field — but I need to say it.

I’ve been a nurse for 18 years. I care deeply about my patients, and I care about the future of this profession. But I’m increasingly disheartened by what I see inside our own ranks. There’s a phrase we all know: “nurses eat their young.” We repeat it so often it’s almost a joke — but it’s not funny, and it’s not just a problem with bedside bullying. I believe this toxic culture starts even earlier, in nursing school.

Far too often, students are treated with harshness rather than guidance. Instructors justify it as “preparing us for the real world,” but many of us leave school already worn down, insecure, and anxious — not empowered. From the very beginning, the environment can be competitive, rigid, and deeply unsupportive. And when that becomes our foundation, it shouldn’t be surprising that so many of us bring those same behaviors with us into the workplace.

What follows is a profession that is, in many places, rife with passive-aggressiveness, gossip, and backstabbing. Collaboration — true, team-based care — can feel like a rare and fleeting experience. I’ve never witnessed as much undermining, subtle hostility, and lack of unity as I have since entering nursing. And I say this as someone who wanted this career, who still believes in its potential, and who wakes up every day trying to make a difference.

Here’s another thing that might upset people: I believe nursing is a skilled trade, not a profession in the way we try to market it. Yes, we need education. Yes, we need strong foundations in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and evidence-based care. But at the end of the day, nursing is hands-on, dynamic, and grounded in practice more than theory. Historically, nurses were trained in hospitals — and they were often better prepared for real-world work than many new grads today.

What we need is a return to structured, experiential learning — not less education, but better education. And most importantly, we need residencies. Not eight weeks of orientation followed by “good luck.” We need one to two years of supported clinical practice, like physicians get. Why are we expected to manage complex care with so little preparation? This setup doesn’t just fail new nurses — it endangers patients.

I hesitate to say this next part, but I will because it’s honest: I’ve found I work better on teams that include more men. That’s not because I think women are the problem — I work with brilliant, compassionate women every day. But the dynamic often changes with more gender diversity. In my experience, there’s less drama, more directness, and a stronger sense of shared mission when the team isn’t homogenous. Nursing has historically been a female-dominated profession, and that comes with both strengths and challenges. I believe the field would benefit from more balance — and from the kind of mutual support I see among physicians, who often have a more unified culture.

None of what I’m saying comes from a place of bitterness. I’m proud of what I do. I still believe in nursing. But I also believe we need to be brave enough to tell the truth about what’s broken if we ever hope to fix it.

We can’t keep eating our young. We need to feed them — with knowledge, patience, mentorship, and honest encouragement. And we need to stop pretending that a few extra degrees or titles will save a system that’s lacking the most basic things: trust, unity, and respect.

If you’ve ever felt this way too, you’re not alone. And if you haven’t — I hope you’ll at least sit with the possibility that some of us are just trying to make nursing better, not tear it down.

Adam J. Wickett is a psychiatric nurse.

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Donna Olson APRN
June 30, 2025 17:18 23

Well said Adam. I have been fortunate in my greater than 40 year career to have met many caring, empathic kind nurses. I have also witnessed exactly what you describe. I am not sure about the future of nursing, but I do agree it is up to all of us, no matter where we are to share our knowledge through storytelling and remind our peers every day that this next generation of nursing will be caring for us one day. I ask to all ...what do we want that to look like when we are on the other side?
Ruby Codjoe RM, MSN CNN
June 30, 2025 15:19 51

I applaud you for your courage & tenacity. Everything you said in this article is 100% what is happening in the nursing profession. I have been a nurse for over 30years, the sad truth is that, this issue is still on-going. Nothing is changed and yet to change.
DW
June 29, 2025 18:00 52

I concur.
Mary C. Kruse RN
June 29, 2025 17:35 44

It only makes sense! I agree with the article by Adam J . Wickett BSN RN.I started my nursing career being trained by my father, a doctor . His practice was Family Medicine and specialized in Surgery. I worked as his office nurse. Then I decided I needed credentials. I told God if this is what you want me to do, make it happen. Nursing is a calling. I always tell students thinking of a nursing career, your instructors will make it hard on you, I feel they do so to make sure itâ€™s what you really want to do and because it is a very stressful and demanding calling. I was blessed with nurses who mentored me and shared their experience and knowledge. I feel nurses donâ€™t always have the time for that anymore. Hospitals are now starting mentoring programs. I like the idea of residency. The more you see and hear the more knowledge you gain. And after all its all about patient care.
Mary C. Kruse RN
June 29, 2025 17:34 56

It only makes sense! I agree with the article by Adam J . Wickett BSN RN.I started my nursing career being trained by my father, a doctor . His practice was Family Medicine and specialized in Surgery. I worked as his office nurse. Then I decided I needed credentials. I told God if this is what you want me to do, make it happen. Nursing is a calling. I always tell students thinking of a nursing career, your instructors will make it hard on you, I feel they do so to make sure itâ€™s what you really want to do and because it is a very stressful and demanding calling. I was blessed with nurses who mentored me and shared their experience and knowledge. I feel nurses donâ€™t always have the time for that anymore. Hospitals are now starting mentoring programs. I like the idea of residency. The more you see and hear the more knowledge you gain. And after all its all about patient care.
Carl P Vallone R. N.
June 28, 2025 13:06 57

I have 20 years in this second career, and I agree with all you've written. As an older male, I don't think I got it as much as others, but I've felt it and I've seen it. I'm proud to say I've done my best to mentor anyone new to my Unit, from students to those further up the ladder, though I haven't always gotten the same.
Amberlyn Arritt
June 27, 2025 17:41 33

I wholeheartedly agree with this article. Nursing school would have been such a better experience with more supportive nursing instructors. I was blessed to have some good ones, but I also sadly had a very negative experience with an instructor that caused a lot of anxiety. I hadn't done anything wrong. She just needed to get all the students off the floor due to a state inspection. Her harsh command made it sound to everyone in the room as if I had done something wrong and was being reprimanded. It was totally unnecessary and not helpful. Additionally, a new nurse or even a seasoned nurse returning to direct patient care would benefit so much from a solid internship instead of a short preceptorship/orientation to a unit.
Ann Mroz
June 27, 2025 00:14 33

I have been a nurse for over 40 years in many clinical and management environments. I agree with you in thta nurses can be brutal on newer staff and not just the younger nurse. I experienced it myself when I returned to the OR after 10 years of absence. Some of the staff actually sabotaged me on several occasions and I was a nurse with close to 20 years experience. I was able to get through it since i was already a seasoned nurse but it can get depressing and disheartening going through it. Every seasoned nurse should be trained in a new area out of their specialty to experience this and maybe we can change the culture Nursing instructors also need this sensitivity training.

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Nurses Aren’t Eating Their Young — We’re Starving The Profession

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Donna Olson APRN

Ruby Codjoe RM, MSN CNN

DW

Mary C. Kruse RN

Mary C. Kruse RN

Carl P Vallone R. N.

Amberlyn Arritt

Ann Mroz

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