Coworkers tell me to get out while I can

Nurses New Nurse

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I am a new grad and I work as a nurse in a psych unit.

I mostly like my first job.

A lot of my coworkers have issues with management and don't like their jobs. Practically every shift, someone tells me "are you sure you want to work here?" Or "you should have taken another job; you're young and smart and should get out while you can."

I am so discouraged. When I started my job I was very happy. I thought I had the best job on earth. But now I wonder if I made a rash decision. I am the type of person who is easily influenced by other people. I can't tune out what they are saying to me.

I find myself looking for other jobs. I just feel so lost and confused.

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Well you like your job, so who cares? What are they saying about it that is causing you doubt?

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Well you like your job, so who cares? What are they saying about it that is causing you doubt?

Things like "this unit is falling apart" and "it is unsafe here" and "do you really want to work here long term"? I don't have much experience in other units so I don't know if what they are saying is true or not. They also tell me that psych isn't a lucrative specialty and I will lose all my skills and won't be able to find another job.

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Specializes in public health.

So my question is how long those coworkers have been working there?

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So my question is how long those coworkers have been working there?

About 2-3 years. The veteran nurses who have been there for like 20 years dont really care

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Specializes in public health.

Hmm..if after 2-3 years working there, and nobody is leaving, and you feel pretty good about working there before you heard your coworkers' words, what does that tell you? Every place has its own problems. Think about if the place you work at and you share the same value, if you like your coworkers for the most part, do you feel motivated to go to work on most days, can you tolerate or change any current problems at work. If your gut tells you to go somewhere else, then you certainly can leave. :) Use your assessment skills.

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There are unfortunately a lot of negative people out there. All that matters is what you think. I'm like you and have trouble tuning others out, but it is something that is necessary a lot of times. I'm a new grad too, but from what I have seen...what many people say about psych isn't necessarily true. In this job climate, any nursing job is better than nothing. Plus, you're lucky to have a job you actually like! There are opportunities in psych and I imagine you would have preference for transferring to a new unit/specialty within the hospital as a current employee once you're been there for a while (if you ever wanted to).

Maybe you're coworkers went into the unit even though psych isn't really for them? Maybe this is why they are so unhappy.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I am the type of person who is easily influenced by other people. I can't tune out what they are saying to me.

.

THIS is your issue.

You are "easily influenced by other people"? Really?

Did you what to become a nurse or did someone influence you?

You enjoy your job or did someone "influence" you to enjoy your job?

If you can state that you like the job, the WHY are you allowing others to influence your career? :confused:

You must learn to have control and YOUR own influence in your career, it's called advocacy, and it's a HUGE part of our practice; start building up that assertiveness and take what others say in stock, but use your assessment skills; if you can do your job safely and competently, especially in a specialty that you enjoy, then there is NO REASON for you to be looking for another job; step away from the computer and continue to hone your practice.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

The psychiatric field is getting ready to explode with 100% reimbursement from the Affordable Care Act. Which is wonderful because of so many people are living with mental illness and not being treated.

I would just say....I LOVE IT HERE! THIS PLACE IS AWESOME!

Every single time they say something crappy or negative things , counter balance it with something good! Maybe they'll get the hint, that your not jumping on the les miserables bandwagon.

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Specializes in PICU.

You should also take into consideration that "floor" nurses will always take issue with management since management is the one who disciplines, enforces policies, leads the unit, etc. AS for the "get out while you can" It is so cliche, you will hear those comments everywhere.

Are you tuning in to the negative vs the positive comments? If your co-workers start with the negative comments, chime in... I like it here, I am happy to be here. Why did you initially choose this unit? I like psych...

Find the people that are positive and tune in to them.

Also, most important, enjoy your first job, it won't be new soon and then you will be the one offering positive influences to new staff

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

If you like it, don't worry about them. If they don't like it why are they still there? You might change you're mind in a few years, but I disagree about ever being "stuck" in a job. There's opportunities, especially if you like psych. The economy isn't what it was, but there are jobs for those willing to work hard for them. (I'm saying this for experienced nurses, some new grads are probably SOL.

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