Dealing With Animosity

[Tait]

I have a question for those of you moving on from floor nursing to advanced degrees. How do you deal with the animosity?

Most of the time when I talk about school I get a sort of dry, uninterested response from my co-workers. For the most part I have reduced any discussion to just a comment here and there about a project I have due. However I have even felt animosity if I share a recent good grade, or interesting take on some information I have learned.

I will say forthright that I am not a bubbly "omg school is so cool!" kind of person. With a husband, heavy thoughts of children in our hearts and all the other normal activities school is an avenue from one stage to the next.

One thought I have had, as I have worked these past three years with the same people, is they see me as a failure. I have come to accept that floor nursing is not long-term for me. The stress, the anxiety, the long nights are wearing quickly on my heart and mind. Potentially they see me as just another "flash in the pan" bound for "better and apparently bigger things in my own mind".

I am pretty much resigned to believe, in the end, they don't care, don't want to hear about it, and don't want to be supportive.

I just wish I could wrap my head around not caring as well, but so far I leave work most days feeling sour in my stomach.

Lately work has become more "a time in the trenches" in my head than I wish it would be.

Ah well. Thanks for the vent,

Tait

[Tait, MSN, RN]

or it might not be jealousy at all . . . i have no interest in advanced practice nursing. i enjoy what i'm doing and have many other priorities in my life. but i'm awfully tired of some of the attitudes of my co-workers who are in school. and that has nothing to do with being jealous or "hating on" anyone who does wish to continue their education. i have a lot of skepticism about someone who thinks all of the negative interactions they have with their colleagues is the result of jealousy. most people don't waste that much time being jealous of others.

i can definitely see your point, and agree with you ruby.

[joyousdg]

Ruby, I am glad you shared your point of view. I am a pre-nursing student applying to entry level MSN programs. I volunteer in an oncology unit and was surprised by the lack luster response to my career/school goals when asked by nurses on the floor. Now I just say I am applying to several programs being, open minded, and keeping my fingers crossed. I think it is so important to look at both sides of an issue and your post was illuminating to say the least. If I am lucky enough to get accepted into my first choice school I will try to remember your words and be a team player as much as possible.