Love OB/GYN--Hate coworkers

[Vroom]

Hi, guys,

I haven't posted in awhile. My other posts have pertained mainly to a bully I had on the floor. That has improved but I still feel like I don't "fit" w/ the OB unit I'mon. Everybody is so critical of each other and constantly criticizing each other (behind their backs, of course). I am ready to move on.

It's not that I'm immature (I've been a nurse for 30 yrs.) and have never had this problem on any other units or jobs I've worked. I feel like a lot of the the "older" nurses are dumped on and not respected in the least. WE are a multi-specialty unit w/ Peds also on the floor and several Peds nurses have asked me how I can stand to be treated like I am. I'm about ready to give up!

For example, yesterday I offered to come in extra and they didn't call me until 45 mins. before the shift started. I figured they'd assign me to women's health, since I was getting there about 15 mins. late but instead they'd assigned me to the only labor pt. and she had been pushing for 3 hrs. I had to walk in, with very little report and take over. Luckily, the night nurse who had been taking care of her stayed as she was crowning. She wanted to be the baby nurse but when the baby was born, she was kind of flaccid and retracting and started grunting. I was taking care of the mom and helping the MD when I noticed the nurse (who has no ICN training yet) was giving the baby blow-by. I went over and deep suctioned the baby and tried to stimulate her by snapping her feet. Her color wasn't too bad and heart rate was good. The doctor was still working on mom's laceration repair so I tried to get the computer charting done so I could help w/ the baby. Another night nurse came in and then left and sent the day charge nurse in who went and got a monitor to check the baby. I ended up following the baby to ICN and admitted her and started her IV (My first admission and ICN IV start) and got the baby stabilized.

Well, when the night nurse came back at 7 pm, she was getting report on another baby who was in ICN for observation only and when I walked back into the report room, it was obvious they had been talking about me or somebody else as they stopped talking midsentence and it was obvious they didn't want me to hear what they were saying.

Now, I may be paranoid, but I'm wondering what in the world I did wrong! And, if I did something wrong, I wish people would tell me so I could improve my practice. I'm debating asking that night nurse but feel like I'd just like to ignore it and go on as things like this seem to happen all the time. I don't know whether it's the "OB nurse mentality" or if it's just a problem in our hospital.

What do you all think I should do? I love the work but hate the backstabbing coworkers. I'm tempted to go back to the float pool, where I didn't have to deal w/ this politics crap.

Help!

Vroom

[Vroom]

Thanks for the replies, Magz53 & BlueRidgeHomeRN. It's starting to look more and more like I need a change. Unfortunately, I'll be trying to change positions at a time when there will be several nurses out on maternity leave on OB. Oh, well. Guess admin should have tried to rectify the situation a long time ago. I really have to agree that a job is not worth being miserable.

Thanks again:redpinkhe

[cricket12]

I really understand what you are going through. I have the same situation where I work. I too love working with newborns and labor patients. However, co-workers on our unit are the same way as your unit. Constant backstabbing!! I just ignore it and understand it goes on. However, it takes a toll on me. I too am thinking of a switch just to get out of such a judging and mistrustful situation! Best of Luck to you!!

[justyourgloves]

Dear Varoom~ I agree with all of the other nurses. I just wish I had known about this website and the support it can give 5 yrs ago! I had the same situation, I loved what I was doing.... I was a new grad when I started in L & D but not a young women. Our unit seemed to be controlled by the PM shift! Young and mean. That's not to say that they were the only age group. I noted that the nurses who were in the "In-crowd' (IN CONTROL) went out several times a week socially. Alot of the OBT'S & Sec/Techs were involved. Some of the older staff who did not want to loose their power also went. I tried ignoring the backstabbing, tried to turn the other cheek and just know more and work harder.

But just sitting with them while the verbal attacks went on was not enough. It also made me feel complicit by not speaking up for co-workers I admired.

The end result was me becoming very depressed and seeking help. I wanted to use an outside source to maitain my privacy. That did not last long. One unit secretary overheard a personal physician call and that was all it took.

I was the center of speculation and gossip that eventually got around to the manager. I had just had my review with flying colors (but no salary increase). I was open & honest with her, but the in-crowd was stronger. I resigned.

My heart ache is that I put seven hard years into that position and after I left speculation was that I had a "drug-problem".

I live in a metropolitan area, but nothing moves faster that gossip. Get out as soon as you can, make the change now, be specific and benign as to your reason for leaving. Don't give them any new material! Good Luck!!!