At the end of my rope...

[stickit34]

I'm about seven months into my first year of nursing on a medical-surgical unit, and I'm about my wits end. Every day I come into work I get yelled at by my coworkers and managers for not knowing something, written up for calling out even though I had the flu, and belittled and demeaned every single day by the older coworkers. I was very upset by this and spoke with manager, who promised to talk to the coworker who was belittling me the most. Lo and behold, the comments get nastier and downright horrible. For example:

"Ha, how did you ever get through nursing school? Hell, how'd you even get out of high school?"

"Here I am, always cleaning up after you. What do you do during the evening any way?"

"Don't you know this by now?"

"Sometimes I feel sorry for your patients."

And those are the nice comments. I already have depression, complete with anxiety and am on medication and therapy. With this on top, I'm getting so hopeless about me ever becoming a good nurse that I am beyond the point of crying, I'm just numb. I won't lie, I even think of quitting the profession altogether or have even dipped into the worst thoughts possible...I dread going to work every single day. I hate every day now.

What should I do?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Since you have already spoken about this with your supervisor, the next step is to talk with HR. Provide them with with facts - dates, times & the nature of the events in question. They understand the consequences of failing to deal with a 'hostile workplace' and should be able to come up with a solution. If that fails, continue up the ladder by making an appointment with your chief nursing officer/executive. You need to serve as your own advocate.

In the meantime, make sure you follow all P&P and avoid reacting to the drama. Don't bring anyone else into the loop. Keep everything to yourself as you initiate your own strategy. If you involve co-workers in an attempt to get their support, this could be construed in an entirely different way & would most likely result in termination 'for cause'. Don't give them any opportunity to do this.

Best of luck to you.

[pseudo_name]

Wow that's terrible. I also have a co-worker that's very unpleasant and nasty (in general not just to me). I just try to ignore her on the dreaded days I'm stuck working with her. I was so happy when she was FMLA for 3 months after having her son lol. I have addressed it with her personally and I just let whatever she says roll off my back because I know that I'm doing the best I can. Her opinion doesn't phase me anymore because when I look at her I just see a miserable, hateful, pathetic person with no life if she's so focused on me & what I'm doing. Sometimes people try to make you look bad too in front of bosses just because they're competitive. There are a lot of miserable, jealous, and competitive people that you simply can't stoop down to there level. Just keep doing your best and treat her like YOU are the one who feels sorry for her. Don't get involved with gossip and hopefully you have some "buddies" on your unit that you could turn to for help. If all else fails just finish your year, and look for another job. Don't quit nursing all together; what you worked so hard for and studied countless hours for because of this one insignificant (in the grand scheme of things) little witch! Good luck!

[macgirl]

You are clearly in a toxic work place, start looking for another job.

[SE_BSN_RN, BSN]

Wow. I agree with macgirl. That is harassment. Transfer units, or look for a new job. No one deserves to be talked to like that!

[vanessaem, BSN, RN]

As others have said, all this isn't worth all of the trouble. Either transfer out of there or find a new job. I know several nurses who have had to move around a few times until they "found the right fit". The nursing profession is stressful enough without the added annoyance of dealing with a bunch of jealous, hateful, bullying coworkers. Whenever you have the feeling of dread about going into work, it's time to move on.

[suanna]

Wow. I agree with macgirl. That is harassment. Transfer units, or look for a new job. No one deserves to be talked to like that!

I'd like to agree, but this level of harassment is so over-the-top, I hate to see the perpetrator win by forcing a new nurse out of a position. "stickit34" may be a dreadful nurse- I have no way of knowing, but it is for the management to provide guidance and opportunities to develop the skills a new nurse needs to become proficient in the profession. If an employee is truely not cutting the mustard then it is up to the management to make that judgement. The behavior of this venomous, bitter old nurse cannot be tolerated. By fleeing the position you reward it. This is comming from an old nurse who has to watch myself constantly to avoid belittling the less experienced staff I work with. I don't want the perpetrator to have to go either. I want management to help facillitate an enviornment where the more experienced nurses and help the newer nurses gain skills. It sounds like the leadership of your unit isn't leading and the experienced staff feel unvalued.