I'm starting to hate ICU nurses

Specialties MICU

Published

:angryfire Hi all, I got my LPN a year ago last march and worked med/surg and long term care. I graduated in Dec and started at a Level one mixed ICU/CVICU/everything else unit. I was so excited to be in the ICU! Took all kinds of classes, on the icu.faq website all the time, bought books, asked questions, etc.

Now, 8 months later I am so disgusted. The nurses there (well at least 80% of them) are so nasty to the new grads! Snide comments, act like they're so much better, can't talk about anything except what we don't know. Didn't they emphasize teaching in nursing school? Last night I was subjected to a long conversation about how lazy we are, how stupid we are, how we can't run a code, we shouldn't be working there, etc ad nauseum. There were three new nurses present but that didn't stop the nastiness.

I have done nothing but be excited, willing to help, and willing to learn. Now I'm thinking I should be working at an insurance co where RN's run the show, don't have to wipe poop, break their backs or be subjected to such hostility.

Thanks for ruining my attitude, ICU nurses.

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Sorry this is happening to you. But I promise not all ICU nurses are like this. And of course you can't run a code, your brand new! They should not expect you to be able to do this. These people sound like total buttheads, but don't give up yet. Have you spoken with your manager? Charge nurse? Is this a teaching hospital? Jeepgirl started another thread on this topic and had some positive outcomes by going to higher ups. When mng't realizes that they will begin to lose all the new grads they spent so much $ training, they will intervene. Also, have you (nicely) stuck up for yourself?

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Sorry this is happening to you. But I promise not all ICU nurses are like this. And of course you can't run a code, your brand new! They should not expect you to be able to do this. These people sound like total buttheads, but don't give up yet. Have you spoken with your manager? Charge nurse? Is this a teaching hospital? Jeepgirl started another thread on this topic and had some positive outcomes by going to higher ups. When mng't realizes that they will begin to lose all the new grads they spent so much $ training, they will intervene. Also, have you (nicely) stuck up for yourself?

I agree with you jaimealmostRN. I can't believe how soon people forget that we were all new at one time. Its really sad.

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:angryfire Hi all, I got my LPN a year ago last march and worked med/surg and long term care. I graduated in Dec and started at a Level one mixed ICU/CVICU/everything else unit. I was so excited to be in the ICU! Took all kinds of classes, on the icu.faq website all the time, bought books, asked questions, etc.

Now, 8 months later I am so disgusted. The nurses there (well at least 80% of them) are so nasty to the new grads! Snide comments, act like they're so much better, can't talk about anything except what we don't know. Didn't they emphasize teaching in nursing school? Last night I was subjected to a long conversation about how lazy we are, how stupid we are, how we can't run a code, we shouldn't be working there, etc ad nauseum. There were three new nurses present but that didn't stop the nastiness.

I have done nothing but be excited, willing to help, and willing to learn. Now I'm thinking I should be working at an insurance co where RN's run the show, don't have to wipe poop, break their backs or be subjected to such hostility.

Thanks for ruining my attitude, ICU nurses.

When I worked ICU, there were 2 RN's that were not very friendly. Aside from that, they were very good at their job and knew their stuff. One day, I got tired of them not looking at me when I addressed them and many other passive-aggressive behaviours, so I decided to confront them on the issue in a professional manner. I asked them point blank if they had a problem with me and voiced my concerns. It worked!. My time in the unit was made better because I took the first step, & showed them that they could not intimidate me.

We never became "best-friends" on or off the job; and frankly I didn't want them as friends, but if we are to spend 8 + hours together in a closed environment, where anything can go down hill in a matter of seconds....we better get along.

The patients and their families are counting on us being a team.

I think that this " i am a critical care nurse and therefore I am better than you" really exists. But at the same time there are many, many, many nurses that work in icu settings that are wonderful, compassionate human beings. From techs, to CNA's to LPN's everyone has something to give.

Please don't let a couple of pompous jerks steal your joy.

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Some people need to point out other people's weaknesses and vulnerability to make themselves feel better. I work in a hospital where there is a "medicine" emergency room and a separate"trauma" emergency room. Those trauma nurses have their noses so far up in the air ... I dont know why a certain group of nurses feel like they are irreplacable. Any of us could do what the others do given proper orientation. You do have to stand up for yourself, but I would do it in the presence of your nurse manager or charge nurse. This way, you have a mediator and they cant accuse you of being verbally abusive. Its not like this everywhere, you can find a place to work where their is a "team" atmosphere.

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Your support and advice is invaluable, especially to someone who's had their RN less than a year. Yes, I did talk to the department director who was very supportive. Unfortunately, she works days and I work nights. Many of the night charge nurses are part of the "clique" into which we are not invited.

Thanks for keeping me from being so discouraged. Nursing would be a much better place to be if not for ICU vs ER, days vs nights etc. Can't we find something better to do with our time? Like get a life?

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Sorry you're going through this...I've also come in as a newbie to some very bad attitudes...can you transfer to another shift/unit? Sometimes you can win these types over and sometimes not.

I came into 2 nasty nurse attitudes in one ICU...(I had 5 yrs ICU experience but they had 20 so I was the dummy) They were very unhappy, passive aggressive to other staff, hung together and everybody else was stupid, yada yada.... and I decided to try and understand them, never let them get to me, stood up for myself professionally. I learned to say to them "Are you guys having another bad day?' and after awhile they got the message their negativity was not appreciated and I wouldn't be bullied. I just did my job and eventually they both warmed up to me a little bit. One of them ended up quitting shortly after and the funny thing was, the other one did nothing but complain how she hated the bad attitude of the other?!! Go figure.

Sometimes these people have troubled lives (true in both the above cases) and they were burned out. A little compassion and a LOT of assertiveness sometimes works...but then again some units are so toxic there is no way a new nurse can stay...and I've been there too.

Hugs to you and hope things get better for you soon. Consider letting your manager know, or HR, because this sounds like a hostile work environment and they don't want lawsuits.

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That's really unfortunate.

Don't let the bad attitude of a few people stand in the way of your goals and dreams.

Our unit has a few nurses that are crappy to everyone, even eachother. You just have to either let them know they're being crappy or ignore them.

Keep your chin up.... :)

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Sorry this is happening to you. But I promise not all ICU nurses are like this. And of course you can't run a code, your brand new! They should not expect you to be able to do this. These people sound like total buttheads, but don't give up yet. Have you spoken with your manager? Charge nurse? Is this a teaching hospital? Jeepgirl started another thread on this topic and had some positive outcomes by going to higher ups. When mng't realizes that they will begin to lose all the new grads they spent so much $ training, they will intervene. Also, have you (nicely) stuck up for yourself?
I am a ICU RN of 20 years...we are not like that either..... they say nurses are the only group that eat their young......we work in a very supportive environment also...teamwork approach......sorry the new one is having so much trouble......find the happy supportive ones to associate with...also our nurse manager is supportive of us.....in the old days I did notice that the burnout nurses and angry ones lived very unhappy lives....I learned to not take it personal.....
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Specializes in Critical Care, ER.
I am a ICU RN of 20 years...we are not like that either..... they say nurses are the only group that eat their young......we work in a very supportive environment also...teamwork approach......sorry the new one is having so much trouble......find the happy supportive ones to associate with...also our nurse manager is supportive of us.....in the old days I did notice that the burnout nurses and angry ones lived very unhappy lives....I learned to not take it personal.....

I was just about to say... I'm a babby nurse on SICU and I've already had dealt with a few unpleasantries as well. I just try to remember what one of the nicer nurses tells me, which is that the "goats" (as she calls them) are like that with everybody! I try to concentrate on the ones that are very nice to me (like my preceptors). I am the type of person who will definitely give these old girls a piece of my mind if they disrespect me too much. I too travel an hour each way to get to work, I too have all the stresses to deal with, and I too, am a human being. I know they know alot and have been through alot but frankly if they aren't willing to help or teach me anything, then I don't see why I should treat them with veneration. I am sooooooo never going to do that to anyone.

SO, yeah, maybe the best (and perhaps most challenging) lesson to be learned from this situation is that you don't need to become bitter and stoop to their level!

Either way, good luck and remember we're always here if you need support and understanding :kiss

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Specializes in M/S/Tele, Home Health, Gen ICU.

So sorry you are dealing with such crappy attitudes. Those who complain loudly about others and voice their opinions about ohter people's defenciencies are often unsure of themselves and threatened by another persons abilities. Given that you could take all their nastiness to mean you are doing a great job and are probably a better ICU nurse that they ever were or will be. Please hang in there. Celia. :)

P.S. We were all nebies once and we need to remember that and give those wha are starting a break and lots of support and encouragement.

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My experience has been that the nurses who do this the most are the ones who don't care much about the quality of their work...they know that they basically stink, and they compensate for it this way because they know they can intimidate new people. It's just mean-spirited stupidness. Happens everywhere. Don't let it throw you - regard it as a social exercise workout. Makes your interpersonal muscles very strong!

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