Well, the short answer is yes. Yes, they do.
To an experienced nurse, an inexperienced one probably looks incredibly slow and awkward. They may even teeter on the edge of making mistakes that hurt patients. They might need to be corrected or coached.
But that is a far cry from the bullying or hazing that can occur on nursing units. It often begins with a preceptor who doesn't want to "baby" a new grad. She doesn't hesitate to give the new grad the toughest patients and refuses to help when it's clear the inexperienced nurse is drowning. She laughs with her experienced co-workers with no subtlety as the new grad flounders.
Although nursing is not the only workplace where bullying happens, its high stress environment pushes some nurses toward this sort of behavior in order to cope. It may be no excuse, but it is a reality.
How can you tell if you're being bullied or simply being initiated sorority-style?
Bullying is all about exclusivity- it's about pushing someone out. It also usually focuses on the individual. Hazing or initiation may appear tough, but it's usually carried out on a group of newcomers and makes the new nurse feel more welcome through a shared experience (even a miserable one).
Many of you out there are trying to pass your NCLEX and become these new grads! It's better to go out there with your eyes open. Know that this kind of behavior exists. If it should happen to you, bring it to the attention of the nursing manager or another administrator in charge. If they ignore or deny your concerns, it's time to move on. Units where people are bullied are not safe units on which to work. Earn your first year of experience elsewhere!