Stop "Eating Our Young": How I’m Mentoring New Nurses and Changing Nursing Culture
Join me as I mentor new nurses and change the nursing culture.
Why Nursing Needs a Culture Shift
If you’ve been in nursing long enough, you’ve heard the phrase:
“Nurses eat their young.”
It’s an ugly truth in a beautiful profession. New nurses are often thrown into the deep end—overwhelmed, under-supported, and sometimes outright sabotaged. The results? Burnout, mistakes, and new nurses quitting the profession altogether.
But what if we changed that?
What if, instead of “eating our young,” we mentored them, supported them, and prepared them for success?
As a nurse educator and mentor, this is my mission.
Let’s dive in!
Nursing has always been my calling.
Why I’m Passionate About Mentoring New Nurses
I knew I wanted to be a nurse when I was four years old. It’s been my life’s calling. But my real passion—helping new nurses succeed—crystallized when I failed the NCLEX.
That moment humbled me. It taught me how scary and lonely this path can be. It also showed me how vital support and mentorship are to surviving (and thriving) in this profession.
Ever since, I’ve focused on mentoring nursing students—not just to pass exams, but to build careers they can sustain.
Workplace conflict is common, and leads to many new nurses leaving the profession.
The Problem: Why New Nurses Quit
Nursing school often paints the job in idealistic colors. But the real world of nursing is messy. It’s:
Short staffing
Difficult patient families
Workplace conflict with doctors, therapists, and yes—other nurses
Unsafe patient loads for inexperienced nurses
And too often, when things go wrong, new nurses get blamed. Sometimes publicly. Sometimes in front of patients.
This is what “eating our young” really looks like.
The Cost of Nurse Burnout and Turnover
According to studies, it can cost up to $150,000 to replace just one new nurse. That’s not just financial loss—it’s emotional loss, too. Patients lose continuity of care. Teams lose morale. And healthcare systems lose talent.
I perfer to encourage and assist new nurses on their journey.
How I’m Making a Difference: Mentoring New Nurses
1. Teaching Real-World Nursing, Not Just Textbook Skills
I teach NCLEX material in plain language so students understand how it applies to real life. We focus on:
Recognizing abnormal signs and symptoms early
Learning medications by classification, not memorization
Understanding when and how to use the chain of command
We role-play tough conversations, practice advocacy, and build confidence—not just competence.
2. Providing One-on-One Mentorship
Each nurse is different. I tailor my mentoring to your needs—not the group’s needs.
We talk about:
What’s happening on the floor
What went wrong (and what went right)
How to document situations to protect themselves and their licenses
How to build boundaries with preceptors and peers
3. Supporting New Nurses After NCLEX
Passing the NCLEX is just the start. The real challenges begin once you’re on the floor.
Some of my students continue to check in after they’re licensed. We troubleshoot real scenarios together in a safe, judgment-free space.
Sometimes, you just need someone outside your facility to remind you:
“You belong here.”
Support mentorship programs. Build a culture where new nurses are nurtured, not torn down.
Building a Better Nursing Culture:
To new nurses:
You are needed. Your mistakes are part of learning. Don’t give up—you’re not alone.
To experienced nurses:
Remember what it felt like to be new. Let’s stop the cycle. Be a mentor, not a bully.
To educators, leaders, and healthcare teams:
Support mentorship programs. Build a culture where new nurses are nurtured, not torn down.
I’m committed to creating a world where new nurses feel confident, supported, and empowered.
Because when we protect new nurses, we protect our patients.
And the future of healthcare depends on that.
Let’s Connect
If you’re a nurse at any stage who wants support, mentorship, or just someone to listen—reach out to me.
My inbox is open, you can reply to this blog post, follow me on my Instagram account: @nclex_one_on_one_tutoring and join my Facebook group.
Let’s build a stronger, healthier nursing culture together.
You CAN do this!
Comment below!
I invite my readers to join a discussion in the blog comment section to share tips and support each other in developing this essential skill.
💬 Join the Conversation:
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Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments:
Have you experienced or witnessed a nurse “eating their young”?
What do you look for in a mentor?
Any tips or stories you'd like to share with your fellow new nurses?
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