I've gotta tell you: nurses do indeed "eat their young". As a group, we are absolutely AWFUL at the social skills......like being nice to the newbies, not talking crap behind each other's backs, helping each other work toward a goal, etc. I'm not sure why it's that way, because I personally do all of these things and more---I was once new, too! But I'm afraid we are driving away potential nurses and turning them off to the profession by behaving the way we do, and in time this will come back to haunt us as the huge Baby Boomer generation floods the healthcare system and more nurses will be needed to care for us.

I'm sorry you had this experience and that it wrecked your desire to become a nurse. You could still be one, if you are strong enough to say No to gossip and meanness and to do things YOUR way. But nursing school and nursing itself are tough, no doubt about it, and not something to be undertaken lightly......I have no regrets about becoming an RN, but I don't advise young people to become nurses anymore because the atmosphere in so many healthcare settings is so toxic.