[GooeyRN]

I worked in a Rural Hospital as an "outsider". (I moved to the area from a different area of the same state) I worked nightshift. Some of the nurses on nights were also "transplants" to the area so we got along. However... The other shifts were all nurses that lived in that area for their whole lives. (And their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc) I did notice that most were friendly, atleast polite and I did not have any problems b/c of it. But only the other "transplants" were interested in becoming friends outside of work. I had a good experience working in a Rural hospital. Im not sure if I woud have if I had been on another shift, though. Overall, I did notice transplants were treated a bit differently. I noticed that everyone had to make it known that I was not raised in the area.

[indigo girl]

I agree, you are in a toxic environment, and staying there is not your best option. Stevie's idea of moving to another part of the hospital if possible is a good one, since there seem to be few facilities in your area. You will probably need to speak to the director of nursing to accomplish this. Bring your evaluation with you. The evaluation is how your manager sees you, and it is probably not going to change no matter what you do. Tell the director this, because it is not a changeable situation. These nurses have intimidated you, and they are enjoying it. Keeping you with these people is not allowing you to function at your full potential. If you have an educational instructor at the hospital, try to speak with her also to develop a viable plan to transition to a new unit, and have her monitor how you are doing there. I am sure that they would much rather move you than lose a nurse.

I am angry on your behalf. This type of bullying (because that is what it is) is very subtle, but damaging.

[barbnyc]

This type of stuff goes on in all work environments. It often mirrors the model of the "dysfunctional family". I have had this experience in the corporate work environment and even while on campus.

Focus on your assets, your experience and be open to working through your issues which keep you stuck there. There are many jobs and you will find once you start exploring your options, you will gain more confidence.

When someone in authority gives criticism, say "how can I improve this? What are your suggestions? Thank you for taking the time to bring this to my attention. O.K." Never get into feelings at the workplace. Save them for when you get home. Write down facts. Do they have union representatives in your community?

I live in NYC and I can tell you cliques like this exist everywhere.

[buildingmyfaith57]

by reading all the post here in this forum i know how you feel. ive gotten alot of backstabbing myself. and they say favoristm is not in the work place b.s. and than when you're trying to apply for another job and you want to put down good work references. how can you?

[lberghood]

I am also angry on your behalf and very sad that you are treated this way. Unfortunately these things do happen. I agree that it is a toxic environment and hope that you will find a place where you can be appreciated. I work for a hospital that recently went corporate and while there are a lot of cons to this it has cut back on this behavior dramatically. We do have strict policies regarding these types of behaviors and I am fortunate to work with an awesome DON ADON and HR Director who adress these issues. I was treated this way as a child in elementary school and it was the hardest time of my life and have always been sensitive to these issues. I wish that you could come work for me you sound like an excellent nurse and i wish you the best in whatever you choose. You have my support!!!

[gr8rnpjt]

I have a theory about nurse managers keeping their "buddies" close and throwing the newcomers under the bus at every turn. I know that in most situations that when evaluation time comes around and cost of living raises are being handed out, the nurse manager usually is told that he/she can give x amount of nurses a 2% raise, x amount can get 3% and maybe one or two can have a 4% or higher. They budget for this and they are told, not who to give what raise but how many can have this or that percentage. Now, I never worked in an environment where salaries are discussed openly, but the nurse manager obviously gives her buddies the good raises. So, to justify herself, she will say stupid things on the evaluation that don't make sense, as was done to you. That way she can justify not giving you a higher raise. If she said that you were a team player always jumping to take the heaviest assignment, then how could she justify giving you the lower raise. Anyway, that is how I look at this type of thing when I see it. They (NM's) can get away with being flagrantly biased against you in day to day situations, but when it comes to putting things in writing, she is covering her own behind.

[firegenie]

Thank you so much for all your replies and kind advice. So many of your replies have reflected the problems I have experienced on the ward and it was good to feel so supported by you all. I have discovered that the answer to these problems really lies with me and my reaction to being bullied at work. Unfortunately there are no other departments I can transfer within the hospital as their is only two wards managed by the same persons. I think things have improved a little as I no longer wish to dedicate my life to nursing and I have completely accepted that I'm not ever going to be treated fairly on this ward. I take comfort that one day I may be able reduce my shifts to minium hours and build my life away from nursing.

[GardenDove]

You can have a cliquish, negative culture anywhere. I work in a small community hospital and yes, I think it's important to try to fit in in a small hospital. You need to keep up on the latest, and be interested in all the petty goings on around you. I started out here on Med-Surg nights, where I ended up making friends. I added some evening shifts to my schedule, and encountered a negative, immature enviornment dominated by a unit secretary with a bad attitude and work ethic. I ended up switching units to the CCU, and nights here is populated by men, which is a wonderful thing. I've heard some people say that the hospital I work in is cliquish, but once you are accepted it becomes like family. That whole peer review thing can be abused in this situation, and it sounds like this has happened here.

[PANurseRN1]

Originally Posted by penguin2

I have to agree, it is rural nursing, small town mentality, clannish people that do things their way because "it's always been that way." Alot of "big fish in a small pond." In my case, circumstances were such, due to my husband's career transfer, that we moved 1/2 way across the country to a larger area. I got a job at a (relatively) large hospital, and it's been the best thing ever. I was so nervous due to my past bad experience, but I am one of many nurses who has relocated, from all over the US. The people I work with are consistently polite, helpful, and caring. I had the some of the same problems, at my old job, according to my boss- not a team player, "so & so said such & such"- yada yada- with no evidence ever-- funny they love me here. I feel so appreciated, and it's a very friendly work environment. Rural hospitals tend to tolerate more lazy people, performance problems, allow people to harbor bad attitudes, etc. I hope someday you can find a job in a bigger hospital where you'll be appreciated for who you are.enguin:

That is an unfair generalization; there are plenty of friendly smaller hospitals and inhospitable larger facilities. Just because you had a bad experience at one small hospital does not mean all are bad.