ICU politics for a workplace newbie

Specialties MICU

Published

Specializes in critical care, PACU.

Hey All

Well, I finally will be starting my dream job in the SICU in the next couple weeks and I've been preparing for the content, the workload, etc. but I dont feel prepared w/ office politics.

First off, I just turned 21 and prior to nursing I did a nursing internship, CNA job, and receptionist. Beyond that I have no experience with the rules of office politics. Im sure I've been doing things okay so far because I havent had any backlash or felt like a pariah and Im very mature for my age, but still...

I really want to start off on the right track with interacting with coworkers, superiors, and techs. Any kernels of advice would be greatly appreciated. I know there is so much I need to learn! If you have any books that would be relevant to the hospital setting Im definitely interested in exploring that as well.

Thanks so much in advance :)

Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

Consider some books on team building. That style of book usually includes looking at different personality styles and how they best relate.

The best advice is patience! It takes me at least three months to gain enough trust to let a new person watch my regular patient, much longer for a sick patient.

When you have down time offer to help, especially for poop patrol, the best relations are formed in the worst chores.

As long as you avoid back bitting and speaking negatively behind your peers back they will learn to love you in time.

Specializes in critical care, PACU.

Thank you :)

Yeah I think Im just worried I'll be naive or say the wrong thing. I guess I probably have a little bit of a preoccupation that Im going to have problems because of my age.

Luckily, I did intern on the unit for 2 months and everyone was very very nice and work cohesively as a team (which is why I chose this unit).

Keep your mouth shut but your eyes and ears open. Don't talk about anybody to anybody not even to the management team.

Specializes in MICU/SICU.
Keep your mouth shut but your eyes and ears open. Don't talk about anybody to anybody not even to the management team.

Unless you are saying something good, of course :D

Specializes in MICU/SICU.

When I feel like I'm going to say something potentially stupid, I start out by saying, "Ok guys don't laugh at me, but...?"

OR

"This may sound REALLY idiotic...but?"

Or

"this may sound really dumb, but since I've been a nurse for like 5 minutes I HAVE to ask...."

Or

"Ok I'm having a brain-fart...but...?"

Or

"My brain is shutting down...and I know I know the answer to this, but I need you to answer my question...?"

Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU,Tele. PCU, IMC.
When I feel like I'm going to say something potentially stupid, I start out by saying, "Ok guys don't laugh at me, but...?"

OR

"This may sound REALLY idiotic...but?"

Or

"this may sound really dumb, but since I've been a nurse for like 5 minutes I HAVE to ask...."

Or

"Ok I'm having a brain-fart...but...?"

Or

"My brain is shutting down...and I know I know the answer to this, but I need you to answer my question...?"

I actually disagree with this. Maybe a new grad can get away with it, but this can actually get on the staff's nerves. Downplaying your intelligence will make others think less of you, since you are verbalizing a lack of confidence in yourself---and believe it or not, it will affect how the staff views you. I don't think everyone should know everything (especially not someone new), but if you preface every question with a remark like this, then you really do start to sound like you do not know anything. Stop making excuses and just ask the question already!

When I feel like I'm going to say something potentially stupid, I start out by saying, "Ok guys don't laugh at me, but...?"

OR

"This may sound REALLY idiotic...but?"

Or

"this may sound really dumb, but since I've been a nurse for like 5 minutes I HAVE to ask...."

Or

"Ok I'm having a brain-fart...but...?"

Or

"My brain is shutting down...and I know I know the answer to this, but I need you to answer my question...?"

Hmmmm... not sure that I agree that this is the best way to ask a question. I started as a new grad in the ICU and my coworkers are more than happy to answer my questions. That is the biggest piece of advice I would pass on, ask questions. A new nurse who doesn't ask questions is scary... especially in the ICU setting! Also developing confidence in yourself is one of the largest accomplishments you will make. I remember the first time a pt was coding that I was able to walk right in and help without feeling sick to my stomach walking in... If you continuously preface your questions with "I know this is silly but...." etc, you are going to hurt your confidence- not that you ever feel 100% confident, but you get my point ;)

I can't agree more with the advice not to talk negatively about anyone to anybody including management.

Good luck!

Specializes in critical care, PACU.

thanks for the alternate advice :)

I think I am a big question asker because it helps facilitate my learning, but Ive read on Allnurses that this can be annoying or make people think you are incompetent so Im gonna work on only asking questions immediately related to my patient and then Ill write all other questions out and look them up myself. Im definitely not afraid to ask questions about my patient or what I should do. I read elsewhere that instead of asking what I should do, I should verbalize what I was thinking of doing so my preceptor knows I have ideas and can correct me if needed.

thanks again all :)

Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU,Tele. PCU, IMC.
thanks for the alternate advice :)

I think I am a big question asker because it helps facilitate my learning, but Ive read on Allnurses that this can be annoying or make people think you are incompetent so Im gonna work on only asking questions immediately related to my patient and then Ill write all other questions out and look them up myself. Im definitely not afraid to ask questions about my patient or what I should do. I read elsewhere that instead of asking what I should do, I should verbalize what I was thinking of doing so my preceptor knows I have ideas and can correct me if needed.

thanks again all :)

Don't get me wrong, I think it's great to ask questions...just ask them the right way...please don't make excuses or downplay your intelligence. That's all I'm saying.

Specializes in critical care, PACU.

will do :)

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
hmmmm... not sure that i agree that this is the best way to ask a question. i started as a new grad in the icu and my coworkers are more than happy to answer my questions. that is the biggest piece of advice i would pass on, ask questions. a new nurse who doesn't ask questions is scary... especially in the icu setting! also developing confidence in yourself is one of the largest accomplishments you will make. i remember the first time a pt was coding that i was able to walk right in and help without feeling sick to my stomach walking in... if you continuously preface your questions with "i know this is silly but...." etc, you are going to hurt your confidence- not that you ever feel 100% confident, but you get my point ;)

i can't agree more with the advice not to talk negatively about anyone to anybody including management.

good luck!

i agree that asking questions is a good thing. a new nurse who doesn't ask questions looks like someone who doesn't know enough to ask a question. as far as confidence -- there's nothing scarier than a new nurse with lots of confidence. when a new nurse has lots of confidence, you wonder what they're missing. and it's impossible to teach something to someone who thinks they know everything.

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