New to ER, coworker makes me feel stupid.

Nursing Students Technicians

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I have been a PCT for about 13 years now, since I was 17. I am signing up for fall classes to become a licensed PTA, as most of my experience has been in Physical Therapy hospitals. I do have an eclectic background, though. Never ER. It is very different than anything I have EVER don't before. I am egear to learn. I am very excited about this challenging,new position.

There are only 3 other PCTS. The one closest to the area I work ( lobby, where I also do EKGS, partial triage, pre-order blood work, not to mention deal with all the abuse from angry patients that have been forced to wait sometimes 6 hours to be seen) I am all about team work and I go above and beyond what is expected of me. I am still within my 90 days, just an FYI.

I have a lot of questions. I'm use to working, where.if I make a mistake, I learn from it and move on. Well in the ER, the lives of people are on my hands. This drives me to perfectionism.

Anyway,.to get to the point, the one PCT, who's work station is closest to mine ( I cannot leave my area,especially when I have over 100 people in the waiting room) is the person I go to, when I have questions.

Mind you, patients will lie,to get out of the wait time and go straight back e.g.; "My doctor told me to come in here, a bed is waiting for me" I was informed right away that this is never the case and they still have to go through registration. Okay, I got that down.

So the other day a man came in and said " I see a cardiologist affliated with this hospital and he told me to meet him here, I don't know if I need to register or should I just wait until he calls me and tells me what to do" . This man was not trying to pull a fast one, he truly did not know and neither did I , as my ******** meter did not go off. So I poked my head to her station, and said " I have a question" her response " you always have a question, you just talk to much". I ignored tthe statement and proceeded with my question. She went on to say " Yes he has to register, goddd" I fired back " How am I suppose to llearn if I don't ask question" just as fast as I could end this sentence, she states, " It's common sense" I said "wow , you basically called me stupid" I was hoping to hear an apology, she just acted like a cocky. I said fine, I won't ask you anymore questions. Her response "good". I continued to say ".I will just refer all of my questions to our boss".

She stopped calling me names, but then started questioning everything I did. For instance."do you really think this is the best way to do this,.seriously think about" And, no it was not in a constructive criticism way. I felt talked down to, like a child. I was so excited to start this job, now I hate going in. I feel that she has, manipulated everyone's mind, Into believing I am incompetent. what do I do?

I'm miserable and that sucks because I'm use to being the best employee, I have never been treated like this ever. Last time I worked I came home and couldn't fight the tears. She seems to be well liked by everyone. So when I pointed this out to a couple people,.just to get their opinion on asking too many questions, everyone else said that's not right, Who said that and when I said whom it was, everyone was shocked.

Am I actually stupid for asking questions? This really has made me question my competence. Side note: All of my nurses and the tech2a are supportive and kind. I just can't get to where they are in the ER, to ask questions.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.

I wish I had better advice but often only time, turnover, and experience help in these situations. Unfortunately people's first impressions often don't change especially relating to how they justify to themselves and others when treating other human beings poorly. Do mention it to your manager and if you want to stay and be successful in this new job you'll probably just have to pull up your boot straps, not let how you're being treated take up too much space in your head or negatively effect your work ethic/interactions and figure out how to utilize other more helpful resources. Can you call the other people, do you guys carry work phones, etc. (((HUGS)))

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No, unfortunately, we do not carry phones. Yesterday was my first day back, since that particular event. This girl pretty much ignored me. Yay! I think the threat of going to our boss to ask questions actually worked. She is still lazy but I don't mind pulling extra weight. I'm just not that type of person to "snich" , even jerks need their jobs. I was probably being paranoid about her turning everyone against me. Yesterday was a good day!

I just thank God for wonderful nurses, that love to teach,and appreciate the fact that I'm clueless in some things. One actually told me, that she believes, this particular girl is jealous of the fact that she is older than I am, and I have all of my PreRequisites done and will be moving on to better my life and career. She basically told me that, her jealousy should be a compliment to me. I see it in a whole new light. I'm just going to concern myself with my nurses appreciating me, they are the ones that help me when I am "drowning". Woohoo for awesome nurses :). I will never let ANYONE steal my hardwork, compassion and eagerness to learn.

Thank you for your response and encouragement.

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I think it was Eleanor Roosevelt who said, "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Yes, this does sound like jealousy. As you have said, it's good to focus on the people who are interested in helping you learn and ignore the others.

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I am so sorry this is happening. It probably is jealousy. All I can say is DOCUMENT! Document when you speak to her and what she says. Email you manager what is happening to keep a paper trail.

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I had a coworker try that with me, I never let her attitude bother me, one day she said to me " I hear your afraid of me, ( I really think she made this up to see if I was intimidated by her because I had never said such a thing like that). I responded well I don't know who told you that because by no means am I afraid of you. Then I told something that surprised her. I said what I do notice is that you come to work in a bad mood and are rude but when I see you the next morning you are in a good mood, meaning she wants everything done for her when she arrives and doesn't care what she left for me to do. She responded well who likes to come to work lol. After that conversation we got along nicely and even are friends on social network.

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Specializes in critical care, PCU, PACU, LTC, HHC, AFC.

I can understand your frustration and agree with the other poster quote by Eleanor Roosevelt. As difficult as it may be being in a new work environment and your 'go to person' difficult to approach for questions, you cant beat yourself up for her attitude towards you. #1 its ok to ask questions your not gonna be perfect while your learning, you aren't even 90 days into the into the job, give yourself sometime. #2 she sounds like she has an issue with you asking questions, its her issue, you cannot take it personal, also refer back to #1. Like I said give yourself time, every job comes with learning curves including new personalities, you never know in 6 months, a year (especially when your not asking as many questions) she wont seem as difficult to you when you first met and/or by then you will have a basic foundation of job role and feel more competent. You sound like your on a good track, just give it time.

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