Are some environments beyond hope?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have touched upon this subject in other posts, but I had such a bad day today, I feel like venting, and hopefully garnering some encouraging or enlightening responses.

I am in a OR orientation program, I am not a very new nurse, but new to the OR. I had heard that people in the OR are hard to get along with, etc. But these people are horrible. Any advice on how to get along with these bullies, or are some environments just going to stay that way? I mean, mgmt cant make people be nice, or act professional, right? These people I work with are negative, catty, vindictive, and just plain mean to new people,just because they are new.(not only to new people, but especially) And I have to *learn* from these people. I just want to learn to do my job. Thats all. I havent had "words" with anyone in particular, its just , you know, people give you attitude, say things to other people, things like that. There are 5 people in my orientation group, we are all in the same situation, so its not personal to any one of us. Its a hostile work environment, we learned that early on. Any words of encouragement? Should I just move on? How do people deal with this????? It is very discouraging........I like the OR, but I have never experienced such a nasty environment.:confused:

You have to do what is best for you. If you feel it is important to you to be in this orientation program, (if it is the only new nurse orientation program in your area for OR) and this is the area of nursing you are interested in, you might decide to go through orientation and then look for work at one of the other hospitals in your area that may not have orientation for newbies. Lots of the ORs in my area employ people like what you describe. If you decide that OR is the area for you, grow some thick skin, maybe even some armor, for your own protection. OR seems to have a common theme. And once you have some experience, make it a point not to behave in this manner towar new orientees. This could help to change the standard of behavior.

But, if the palce is making you miserable, move on. A hostile emvironment is a sure fire way to burn out. One of the great things about nursing is that there are lots of other areas to try. I'm sure you will figure out what plan of action fits best for you.

Good luck.

(Had a rotten day in the OR this morning myself. My sympathies)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

It's quite rare for whole environments of bullying/mobbing to change based upon the actions and behaviors of any newcomer. It's much like pushing a snowball uphill, really. And there are better ways, I think, one could spend her time.

http://www.bullyonline.org

a resource you might find useful.

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

Hey...sounds like my job out of RN school...and mine was a floor nurse position preceptorship in a neurovasc floor! Those nurses were horrid, mean, and treated me and the other preceptor I was with like less than dirt! They didn't teach us a thing...in fact, they made that very clear saying "I am not going to do your job newbie!". They were the worse folks I think I have ever met!

I left dodge, sadly not before I was crying before work and after work, but soon after! I am so glad I did! I met wonderful people after that, worked with awesome MD's, RN's, LPN's, CNA's and others in more positive and team oriented workplaces! I found that I was part of a team of great people, and found my worth!

But I would have never ever found it at that first job, and more than likely would have left nursing all together from stress and depression. I am like you...just lets do our jobs and help folks today okay? And that was not happening..in fact...I feel the nurses behaviors where I worked was counterproductive to all patients!

Be very careful chosing your next job. Ask if you may shadow for a day to see how things are (last two times I did that I got to, and it really showed me things about where I was about to work, and the people!). And ask to speak privately with an RN as part of your interview if possible so you can get the real skinny!

Good luck to you...so very sorry that happened to you.

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.

Are some environments beyond hope?

Yep.

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If your gut is telling you that it is not the proper enviroment in which you want to work in GET OUT!! I think you should enjoy being a nurse and one main way to do that is to enjoy getting out of bed and going to work everyday. Cause in the long run you and your family suffer from all the stress and worry! I also have worked in a enviroment like that actually just recently and am in legal ligation because of it, I should of got out and left when I felt I should have, but I didnt for the sake of my pt's and my 3 children that I raise by myself. Looking for a new job is awful but I would much rather do this than dealing with that. But only you know what to do. Good Luck and Best wishes

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

Thanks everyone. I am so torn. I really wanted this to be my last position, one to stay with til maybe retirement!!!! (and I am in my thirties) I have been missing days, due to anxiety, and I want to say burnout, but not from the work , just the environment. I know this is not good. Plus the fact is, I really dont know what else I want to do!!! I reallly think I made the wrong choce by going to nursing school. But, too late now!!! I know these are all problems of life in general, (miserable people) but, somehow, if I am not responsible for an actual person (patient), I think it will be more tolerable!!!!

Kepp those words of wisom coming, guys!!!! thanks again

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Thanks everyone. I am so torn. I really wanted this to be my last position, one to stay with til maybe retirement!!!! (and I am in my thirties) I have been missing days, due to anxiety, and I want to say burnout, but not from the work , just the environment. I know this is not good. Plus the fact is, I really dont know what else I want to do!!! I reallly think I made the wrong choce by going to nursing school. But, too late now!!! I know these are all problems of life in general, (miserable people) but, somehow, if I am not responsible for an actual person (patient), I think it will be more tolerable!!!!

Kepp those words of wisom coming, guys!!!! thanks again

Please check your private messages!

Thanks!

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Specializes in Case Management.
I would love to copy the above statements onto a big poster, and hang it up in the break room. Really.

tweety, your right, I should really wait til I am on my own, but Iam just thinking that I shouldnt waste the hospitals money to train me for almost a year, and then leave,( hardly professional,) but it happens all the time, for many reasons, I guess. It is enlightening to hear that others have actually left units, due to similar circs. I was starting to wonder if I was being oversensitive, which I never thought I was......

I believe that you should continue your training for this reason: after paying to have you trained in this position, management wants you to stay. This is when you write a letter addressed to all in management of the O.R. Explain that you are aware they paid to train you in this position, but now you are sorry to say that you will not remain in this department due to the treatment you have received from fellow employees. Cite specific incidents and use names. Explain that due to these incidences, you feel that the employees in this department don't seem to want new employees to succeed or to stay, so you are leaving. encourage management to discuss this with the offending employees and let them know that they are the reason you do not want to stay. Hopefully, management will get the message loud and clear and the o.r. employees may realize that they are cutting off their own noses.

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Specializes in OR.

Please don't think that all OR people are this way. A big part of any toxic environment is management-this stuff has to be nipped in the bud early. It's possible but you have to have a manager with big cahones(think I spelled that wrong). Sometimes, you have to shop around for a decent place to work. I went through 3 ORs before I found a good environment. IMO, most people are decent but you get those few bad apples that ruin it for everyone.:trout: The positive thing about working with jerks is, by the time you're done, you will be unbelievably bullet proof. I spent 2 years at a tough OR but in retrospect, I'm glad I toughed it out for as long as I did. It made me strong. That said, if your mental and physical health are suffering, cut your losses and find another place to work...

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.
Please don't think that all OR people are this way. A big part of any toxic environment is management-this stuff has to be nipped in the bud early. It's possible but you have to have a manager with big cahones(think I spelled that wrong). Sometimes, you have to shop around for a decent place to work. I went through 3 ORs before I found a good environment. IMO, most people are decent but you get those few bad apples that ruin it for everyone.:trout: The positive thing about working with jerks is, by the time you're done, you will be unbelievably bullet proof. I spent 2 years at a tough OR but in retrospect, I'm glad I toughed it out for as long as I did. It made me strong. That said, if your mental and physical health are suffering, cut your losses and find another place to work...

I agree, it absolutely has to do with mgmt, or lack thereof. This place, for years has had no solid mgmt, looks like it is going in the right direction, but I do understand that even the best mgmt team cant change people overnight... it takes time. Alot of time. Unfortunately, this place is the only level 1 in my area with a training program. Yeah for me.

They even have MANAGERS who are TRAVELLERS!!!!!!!! This is a new concept to me.

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