Drama on my unit and it's only my 2nd day. WOW

Nursing Students General Students

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I'm a CNA going to school for by BSN and I got a job at the hospital right down the street from my school. The first day on the unit the manager what talking with me to see what days would work for me. She was very nice and allowed me to have Sundays off for religious purposes and to come in an hour late on Wednesdays because my class doesn't end until 3:30pm (job is 3-11). She knows that I live an hour and a half away and I take the bus so she was gonna let me get off a little earlier but I said it's okay let's just see how it goes today. So I get off work and don't make it home until 1 still had homework to do but just went straight to bed. So the next day I go to tell her about it and she says "get a car" and walks off. Why one moment she's all nice and the next she's just like whatever. So then my preceptor that's showing me the ropes I told her about it and her and one of the nurses was like "yeah she's irritatiing that's why most of our CNAs leave". So later that evening I'm walking back to the nurse's station and I hear my preceptor and the nurse talking about saying "that's not an excuse, she needs to get over it, we made it" and some other stuff. Then when I come and sit down they hurry up and change the subject. My preceptor also asked me if I could work a day for her because she wants to go to the christmas party and I said yes. She I tell her no since she's talking about me? I'm the youngest one on the unit and this is my first time ever working as a CNA. How do I handle all of this?

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

The best way to deal with drama is to stay as far away from it as possible. Treat all your co-workers kindly, work your hardest and AVOID gossip!

I know you didn't mean any harm, but telling your preceptor about how your boss responded was not a good idea. You just met this person, don't trust her to keep your confidence. She might have had a great relationship with the boss and gone to her and said, "Faithgurl said you were being a jerk to her." and gotten you in trouble.

You already committed to working for her, and I would not change your mind now because she was talking about you. It sounds petty, will likely make her upset with you, and you come across as not being good to your word. It's not the first impression that you want to make.

I don't know why your boss was understanding one day and not understanding the next day. Maybe she felt that you were going to try to ask to change your schedule, or that you were looking for sympathy and she just isn't the sympathetic type. But try to forget about it and move on. Traveling an hour and a half on the bus is tough, but maybe you can use that time to do your homework so you don't have to stay up late. It's hard to work and go to nursing school, but unfortunately it's unavoidable for many people. Do the best you can.

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I agree with Ashley, PICU RN. I've learned to stay away from the drama in nursing school and on the job. If you pay attention to people's attitudes and the way that they interact with others (or behind their backs), it'll give you an idea of who to be "cool" with and who not to. Otherwise, keep your distance. I don't come to work to make friends, that's just me. I come in to do my job and if I see that you're gossiping or badmouthing your job or others, I ignore it because it's none of my business (& I don't care to make it my business). I'm not saying this in a mean way but you'll go far if you keep your business to yourself. Let personal be personal and business be business. You won't have to worry about people talking negative about you or including you in all of the drama. Don't get me wrong some people wil talk about you regardless because they live miserable, boring lives but they can't talk about what they don't know. Do you and do it well.

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Specializes in ICU.

You shouldn't have discussed an issue between you and your unit manager with your preceptor. It should have been kept between you and your unit manager. The gossip started with you. You may not be able to fully repair this situation and it has the potential to get much worse than it already is now that your unit manager has heard about your lack of discretion. In the future, avoid discussing your coworkers with anyone other than the person involved.

The best way to avoid the majority of drama, is not to be the one who creates it.

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Thank you guys for the advice :)

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Not to beat a dead horse, but it's a bad idea in general to tell other coworkers anything negative about other coworkers. The conversation should have stayed between you and your manager. Now your other coworker may blab it all over the place that "Faithgurl has a bad attitude and was talking smack about so-and-so." It will almost always come back to bite you. :( This is especially true, since you are new to this job. It may have come across as you simply wanting special treatment in the event that something comes up and you are unable to show for work, even though you know that wasn't true. It is sometimes hard not to talk about yourself or your life, but you have to learn how much is too much sharing. Good luck with the new job!

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It's okay nguyency77 lol. You can beat that dead horse as much as you like lol. I appreciate the advice. I just noticed that when I get in a new environment I tend to try to befriend EVERYBODY and get to personal about my life to them so I have to change! And thank you. :)

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Specializes in Med Surg.

Newsflash - Many, if not most, employers talk about their employees. Frequently, they do this with other staff. Other staff members talk about each other, frequently, to the employer (supervisor).

Try to 1) Not take it personally. These folks do this with everyone.

2) Keep in mind that people talk and edit your own conversation - don't say anything you wouldn't want passed on.

3) Just pay attention to your work and doing a good job, that's what really pays off in the end.

4) Seek out relationships with any helpful positive people in your environment, even if they are in a different department.

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Thanks Sadala :) This is funny because it's the EXACT same thing my mom told me yesterday lol. I didn't say anything bad about the manager though they did all of that so I'm okay.

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Specializes in ICU.
It's okay nguyency77 lol. You can beat that dead horse as much as you like lol. I appreciate the advice. I just noticed that when I get in a new environment I tend to try to befriend EVERYBODY and get to personal about my life to them so I have to change! And thank you. :)

You are me one year ago! One year ago I started working in a LTC facility where I was way too friendly and open, and now that I know who the people I work with really are, I wish I hadn't said so much. Way better to be silent now and sloooowly learn who you can trust and who should just smile at! I wish you luck -- it is easier said than done for people like us but worth your weight in gold later on...

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You are me one year ago! One year ago I started working in a LTC facility where I was way too friendly and open, and now that I know who the people I work with really are, I wish I hadn't said so much. Way better to be silent now and sloooowly learn who you can trust and who should just smile at! I wish you luck -- it is easier said than done for people like us but worth your weight in gold later on...

I guess we just have to live and learn lol. and thank you :)

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What's the old saying? "T'is better to be silent and thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt."

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