Unfriendly Nurses.....

bagladyrn, RN · Aug 30, 2008

I have worked with some very good travel nurses who fit in wonderfully had great knowledge and skills. I have heard staff make remarks about the amount of money they make . On some level we all realize why you make the extra money. I do not see it as easy to go from place to place with all the quirks and different policies of the various institutions.
I would like to address the impression of what is a friendly staff person? While I consider myself as approachable,easy to get along with, will smile for a reason. Will say hello to anyone. I do not have a smile plastered on face at all times. Not my personality. I have never been an outgoing personality. I tend to be on the quiet side unless I know you extremely well. If you have told me about your family or personal concerns I will ask how things are going. I will not necesarily share my own personal life unless asked.Even then unless I know you very well I will keep it superfiscial.
I focus on my work first if later in the day have most of the work done I will chit chat with those around me. I go on my breaks alone, not as I do not love my coworkers , but as I like the time away to myself. I would hope no one would view me as unfriendly as oppose to being more of an introvert .

I'll take a shot at defining what I consider a friendly staff person (or unit). You welcome the traveler when they arrive, taking the time to introduce yourself, show the traveler around the unit, showing us where supplies are kept, where to find important phone numbers, where we can put our belongings/lunch and most importantly where the staff restroom is! When assignments are made the traveler is given a fair patient load - not lighter than staff, but also not every "train wreck" PIA patient on the unit and more patients and admits than any others. When making the schedule keep in mind that the traveler may also have a life and try to occasionally accomodate her preferences (i.e. not every weekend or every other night on the schedule).

I don't expect to be included in the "social life" of the staff, although those who have made a point to invite me to join in activities along with the regulars hold a special place in my regard and I will go a lot further to help them out even if it gives me a lousy schedule.

As others have said some people are openly hostile. I've actually had a nurse tell me: "Of course you are going to be dumped on - that's what travelers are for". My reply to her was as the previous poster said: "If you want to take my shifts I can go right out the door and down the road right now!"

Basic civil treatment is really all that is required.:)

allnurses Guide · Aug 30, 2008

To be quite honest, if I were a travel nurse I'd be a lot less worried about what other people think of me, and a lot more worried about exploring and discovering these fabulous new places where I am living! Well, when I'm not at work of course. =)

But that's just my own perspective. I'm a fairly introverted person by nature, and it takes me way more than 12 weeks to really truly open up to my coworkers, wherever I go. :)

nickola · Aug 30, 2008

Some people just don't like new people, period. I have experienced this myself, and while I don't need to be BFF w/my coworkers, it IS nice to have a professional & courteous atmosphere to work in. I don't care to share my life history- or to hear anyone else's-- & I may not have a lot in common w/some coworkers, but a good WORKING relationship goes a long way.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2008

Hi,

The OP mentions she is an outgoing person. Not everyone is this way and some people are reserved with people they don't know well. I can sometimes be that way myself and sometimes my shyness has been interpreted as being unfriendly. I can be very outgoing once I feel comfortable with a person, but basically I have a hard time talking with people I don't know sometimes, although I've overcome it somewhat with time.

Some people are just inhospitable people, but others might be shy. I worked on a unit with a nurse that came across as unfriendly and snooty when I first started there. We ended up becoming friends, and in reality she was just a very reserved, rather shy person but she came across as aloof.

We have a culture that emphasizes brash, outgoing behaviour. Some cultures place more value on quiet reserve. According to a book titled The Highly Sensitive Person North American culture views reserved people as an aberancy. She states in the book that Chinese culture is a friendlier environment for a reserved sensitive person, which she states is 15% of the population, and is an inborn trait.

Beachcomber5 · Aug 30, 2008

I once read somewhere that "nurses eat their own". As we all know, some people will never reach self-actualization. It is those people, like you, who get it...and realize that giving back is what life is all about. If it means anything to you, nursedianne, I just surround myself with people like you and have made myself a nice little world.

NurseDianne, ADN · Aug 30, 2008

I have done 2 travel "gigs" now. One place was nice to me and one was mostly not nice.
I focus on having a good time seeing the sights and learning new things and ignore the idiots.
Just so you all know, I haven't made a lot of money traveling. That is a myth. But I have got to eat at a ton of new cool restaurants. So it is worth it.
God I wish they had a Rudy's or a Rosa's tortilla factory in Ill.
I am so jonsing for a Waffle house.

Thanks for all ya'll's replies. It all makes sense, I just needed to vent. I have to admit I am lucky to have my husband traveling with me. I would have NEVER done it alone.

To the new and student nurses, hang tight, it's a wonderful job.....don't ever let anyone get you down.

To you...above...lol....my husband is also "jonsing" for Waffle House. They don't have them out here.

Honestly, I have met some very nice folks here, but the best nights I've had so far are when I floated to another unit...isn't that strange.

As nurses we touch so many lives, maybe we should work on touching each others.

Thanks ya'll...

Dianne

*ac* · Aug 30, 2008

I can say that some people are resentful of travelers because they cannot be cancelled when the census is low - d/t their contracts. On our unit the census can row low long enough that nurses are forced to take time off even if they don't have any banked - which means short paychecks.

Just curious if you find this unfriendliness to vary by part of the country or is it everywhere?

bagladyrn, RN · Aug 31, 2008

I can say that some people are resentful of travelers because they cannot be cancelled when the census is low - d/t their contracts. On our unit the census can row low long enough that nurses are forced to take time off even if they don't have any banked - which means short paychecks.
Just curious if you find this unfriendliness to vary by part of the country or is it everywhere?

Don't resent your travelers for this! This is a contract worked out between YOUR administration and the travel company - not undere the traveler's control. It's also not universal - some contract do have the clause that the traveler can be "low censused" a certain number of shifts per contract. Realize though that if I "volunteer" to take a low census day (rather than being mandated for it) I not only lose my pay for those hours (no vacation days) but also have the prorated amount of my housing costs for that shift deducted from my paycheck, and am short hours for the completion of my contract. If the hospital mandates it, this doesn't apply so I'm not going to be able to volunteer even if I won't object if they decide to send me home!

Try not to judge when you haven't been given all the facts, and realize that your administration may rather have you direct your resentment at the traveler than at them.

NurseDianne, ADN · Aug 31, 2008

Hey ya'll

As for the comment about attitudes varying around the country....yes. In Baltimore Maryland, it took about 3 weeks before anyone spoke to me at all other than work related things. There were 2 other travel nurses on the Peds unit with me and that helped. They had been there months before me and no one had warmed up to them. My husband and I struck up friendships with them and spent alot of time touring the city with them.

After the 3 weeks, people started to speak and include me in their work activities, i.e. pot luck lunches, ect.

I met some wonderful folks and have kept in touch. Of course there were some who never seemed to warm up.

Here in Sioux Falls, they just seem to look right through me. I just keep smiling, help out where I can and do the best job I know how.

As far as not being able to be called off.....well yes, that's in our contract. But let it be known that we are always the FIRST to be pulled to another unit. We keep you on your unit in your comfort zone while we go whereever, whenever.

Also, if we get sick for any reason, we are charged. What I mean they take money from us for missing a day. We don't have sick days or vacation days (unless it is in our contract).

I still enjoy the traveling. We have seen alot and enjoyed our travels. Hope to continue for years to come.

Also, the $$$$, it's not what people think. I never discuss what I make with people, but there are under the assumption that we make double what they do, and it's just NOT true.

Like I said before....I would never travel alone. I'm a people person and would hate it if my man wasn't with me to be my friend.:redbeathe

NurseDianne, ADN · Aug 31, 2008

One more comment after I read the pages.....LOL....enjoying reading what everyone has said and respect everyone's opinion.

I don't expect folks to kiss up. I don't come in and share my private life. Nor do I want to know who's doing what to whom. When someone ask about my family, I'll gladly show you pictures of my grandson if you want.

I suppose all I am asking for is respect. I do a good job. I don't sit on my butt and not answer your call lights or help your patients.

That's what it boils down to....RESPECT.

We are leaving this assignment in 10 days. Have been ask to re-sign for 12 weeks, when we said no, they ask about 4 more weeks. To be honest, maybe if we were a little more appreciated we would have gave it some thought.

That said....I am looking forward to our next assignment and meeting new folks, seeing new things. Our photo album library is growing, as well as our online travel journal.

bagladyrn, RN · Aug 31, 2008

Hey ya'll
As for the comment about attitudes varying around the country....yes. In Baltimore Maryland, it took about 3 weeks before anyone spoke to me at all other than work related things. There were 2 other travel nurses on the Peds unit with me and that helped. They had been there months before me and no one had warmed up to them. My husband and I struck up friendships with them and spent alot of time touring the city with them.
After the 3 weeks, people started to speak and include me in their work activities, i.e. pot luck lunches, ect.
I met some wonderful folks and have kept in touch. Of course there were some who never seemed to warm up.
Here in Sioux Falls, they just seem to look right through me. I just keep smiling, help out where I can and do the best job I know how.
As far as not being able to be called off.....well yes, that's in our contract. But let it be known that we are always the FIRST to be pulled to another unit. We keep you on your unit in your comfort zone while we go whereever, whenever.
Also, if we get sick for any reason, we are charged. What I mean they take money from us for missing a day. We don't have sick days or vacation days (unless it is in our contract).
I still enjoy the traveling. We have seen alot and enjoyed our travels. Hope to continue for years to come.
Also, the $$$$, it's not what people think. I never discuss what I make with people, but there are under the assumption that we make double what they do, and it's just NOT true.
Like I said before....I would never travel alone. I'm a people person and would hate it if my man wasn't with me to be my friend.:redbeathe

I'll share a funny comment with you regarding regional differences: I'm currently at a contract in the west. One of the local nurses asked me where I was from. When I told her I was based out of FL she exclaimed "You can't possibly be from back east - you're much too friendly!":chuckle Unfortunately she made this remark right in front of a New Englander! I had to quickly comment that Easterners were just "a bit more reserved".

I do travel alone, but have made friends all over the country now - both in and out of work - I apparently have one of those faces that anyone will talk to!

Quaffetti · Aug 31, 2008

Where I work, there are so many new people all the time that I never know who is a traveler, who is a new grad, who is a new hire with experience etc. Some of our travelers hang around for a long time so then I forget they're travelers.

Hopefully most feel welcome.