[elizzy]

I've been in Neuro/Medsurg Trauma ICU for 10 years, and recently relocated.
I'm STILL getting it from the nurses as the "newbie" Never mind my experience in a Level One Trauma Center, and that they may actually learn something from ME!
My point is that we all need to cut the crap! Everyone's got something to contribute to this profession. My heart goes out to the new grads, it seems to me that's it's gotten worse. Their treatment of a new nurse, old nurse or any kind of nurse that has willingly signed up to work along side with you (and you know who you are!!!) deserves, at the very least, the same respect that you expect from them! Aren't we all on the same team here? Has anyone even thought about the patient?
Well, that's my thoughts on this. Needed to vent a little as I am having a horrific time and am hoping one or two of the "offenders" may very well be reading this!

[RN34TX]

Originally Posted by stbernardclub

Although I do not agree with the hostility, I also do not agree with a lpn in an ICU(CCU,CVICU, O.R. ect...). This area should be staffed only by rn's. Sorry this is happeneing to you, but it really is not fair to the other nurses to have a lpn working side by side with them in code situations....nothing personal...its the hospitals fault, they have allowed this and are the cause of the tension.

I disagree. I worked as an LPN in ICU settings and it was great experience once I became an ICU RN. I think it's a loss that my unit does not use LPN's.
Code situations occur in Med/Surg and all other areas and LPN's are involved in them and should know what to do in that situation. I work with newer BSN's who still panic when a patient crashes and often wish I had an experienced LPN with me instead. So much for the education and licensure theory, it does not make you a better nurse.
I too was treated like crap as an LPN in one of the ICU's I worked in, the other was great to me. It was rough but I can laugh about it now. Wish I could run into one of those nasty nurses at the grocery store or something and tell them how awful they were to me.
To the OP, don't let that discourage you from a career in ICU. Just don't stay in that particular ICU because chances are, if they are nasty to you because of your newness or being "just" an LPN, they probably are nasty to each other as well, so becoming an RN won't change that for you. They would be nasty anyway. It's just a great way of hiding either what bad nurses they are themselves or problems in their personal life that are out of control so they take it out on others.

[LindaMarie76]

When I first started working in the ICU I had only ten months of med/surg/tele experience. I didn't even know how to draw blood since phlebotomists performed this skill on the floors. A majority of the nurses were kind, but there were a couple, one in particular, who was vicious. She was three months pregnant and I remember saying "I can't wait for her to have this baby" because I couldn't ask her any questions or for help and she was always in a bad mood. To complicate matters, I learned that she didn't know as much as she thought she did and I began to not trust her nursing judgments. One night we had a discussion about a completely non-nursing issue and I knew she was blatantly wrong. I stood up for myself in a fashion that she had never seen and I slowly started to see a change in her attitude towards me. One year later, after her baby, after her return, after I had started to not be so nice to her, I asked her, "why didn't you like me when I first started."

Her reply......

"You were too nice."


Moral of the story: give it some time. There's nothing wrong with office politics as long as you are part of it. Try and socialize with them at work. If they are having a discussion, involve yourself in it. If after 6 months the environment and atmostphere has not changed, then it is time to update your resume. It's best to wait for one year that way your resume will list "One year's experience", but if that is not possible, then move on.

[elizzy]

Originally Posted by SunStreak

Thank you soooo much for posting this! Great advice!

I have to say...DITTO!! I'm not real religious, but that really stole my heart!!!!
Thank you

[NoCrumping]

Originally Posted by Debbie_LPN

In my school, we were told that the hospital nurses eat their young. Since I just graduated, I am staying out of hospitals till I get some experience. And yes, our instructors scared all of us that bad!!!!!

I agree, and I was taught that as well, 4 yrs ago. But, I always wonder, WHY? It's not like we are going to take their job or anything, there's not enough nurses to go around. What are they afraid of?????? Anybody know???

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

Originally Posted by NoCrumping

I agree, and I was taught that as well, 4 yrs ago. But, I always wonder, WHY? It's not like we are going to take their job or anything, there's not enough nurses to go around. What are they afraid of?????? Anybody know???

Truth be told, I think it IS fear--fear of trusting a new grad and making a mistake based on what the new grad said or did.

A lot of nursing is based on trust. The more experienced nurses anticipate problems well and solve them, while the new nurse will totally miss a problem.

I don't consider myself a nurse-eater. I usually just check the new nurse's charts extra carefully and next time I see that person, I'll try to privately mention the problem. Like I had one who would hang the IV piggybacks and then completely forget to open the stopcock. Common error, but when the med's due at 2200 and I find it at 0100 and it's due again at 0600....you understand what I mean.

But I have to admit, some nurses do obsess and crow over other people's mistakes. They need to seriously get over themselves, and you new grads need to find a supportive group to grow in.

[fergus51]

Why do they attack the inexperienced? I don't think it's fear at all. I think it's a lack of fear. They know they are unlikely to get called on it by a new employee, so they do it.

[RN34TX]

Originally Posted by fergus51

Why do they attack the inexperienced? I don't think it's fear at all. I think it's a lack of fear. They know they are unlikely to get called on it by a new employee, so they do it.

Totally agree. Add in the fact that so many nurse's are so starved for attention and recognition that they turn to publicly pointing out other's mistakes, i.e.
"It's a good thing I'm here watching you because you don't know what you're doing, you almost killed that patient..."
And then of course you have the trickle down theory where the experienced nurse has suffered years of abuse from MD's, administration, and families so they in turn, take it out on the new nurses.
They want to be respected for their years of acquired knowledge and experience so they actually interpret the fear that they instill in others by intimidating them as respect, but it's just fear because the new grad wants to impress, not make mistakes, and relies heavily on their advice and help especially during the first year.

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

Originally Posted by RN34TX

Totally agree. Add in the fact that so many nurse's are so starved for attention and recognition that they turn to publicly pointing out other's mistakes, i.e.
"It's a good thing I'm here watching you because you don't know what you're doing, you almost killed that patient..."
And then of course you have the trickle down theory where the experienced nurse has suffered years of abuse from MD's, administration, and families so they in turn, take it out on the new nurses.
They want to be respected for their years of acquired knowledge and experience so they actually interpret the fear that they instill in others by intimidating them as respect, but it's just fear because the new grad wants to impress, not make mistakes, and relies heavily on their advice and help especially during the first year.

I think you're both right. Therefore I amend my previous answer. And I like that trickle-down theory too; I've found that to be true.

[CA CoCoRN]

Don't hate US. I say us because, though you see L&D below my name, ICU was my first home. It's my second love though.

I was fortunate to go into ICU straight out of school. I was also fortunate to work in a place (nonteaching by the way) where the physicians, RNs, tech, everyone LOVED to teach. It was GREAT!!!!

I still know those physicians and nurses names. They molded me into what I am and how I am in my quest for greater knowledge.

Do yourself a favor: as soon as you can, find yourself a place where you can thrive and learn and BLOOM into all your potential.

You're green...accept that, and don't let anyone put you down for that. You will one day (think you are) all knowing.