Advice needed

[beeble]

I recently transferred to the MICU within the hospital I was working at. I had been in the step down unit, and while I generally liked the people there, I was getting burned out by the staffing grid (6:1), the lack of support staff, and the lack of support in general (although this staffing trend is widespread, it is worse at the hospital I work at). That unit had high turnover.

I had been warned by some float nurses that this new unit was, rhymes with 'witchy', and not to go there. A few others said they would prefer a shift on new unit to old unit--- "at least you'll have energy left for your life".

I did not get a break in between old and new unit, and I have had 4 preceptors in less than 2 weeks. I have been given 1 patient, and on the first day, when they saw I "kept up with my charting", gave me really difficult ones, that needed many procedures t/o the day, ect.

The last preceptor I had really stayed at the desk while I did the patient care, just checking in with me to 'tell me what to do', and to help with turns. And then to tell me the few spots in my charting I missed. She treated me like I didn't know anything, and in the end, wasn't very respectful of me.

No one has been very friendly. The few times I attempted to chime in on a conversation, I was ignored, as though I didn't say anything.

I know I am an older 'transfer'. I do not spend tons of money on the latest scrubs, could stand to lose a few pounds, ect. I see the nurse manager looking me up and down a few times, which feels weird. I feel like she didn't have a choice but to hire me, as it was posted-- the one posting without a years experience as qualificaction, and per union rules, the most senior person who applies gets it.

The hospital had been holding out on internal transfers for a while, saying they needed 'experienced' critical care nurses, and therefore they can require one year critical care experience, and therefore only hire from outside. But one of the orientees I am with now was from a step down unit at another local hospital, so that dosen't make sense. He didn't even know breathing could cause sinus rhythm r-r variation.

I would have liked to stay to at least get a years worth of experience. But something tells me this year will be hard. I am concerned I won't get the support I need when I am on my own, d/t the cliqueyness of the unit. And as you know in nursing, no one is perfect, and if someone dosen't like you, they can easily make an innocent mistake or something overlooked (we all do that) into a huge deal. (Which I have heard happening on this unit from the people that warned me-- but no, I didn't listen in my burned out from 6 patients with no support staff state, and told myself, how bad could a year be?)

Should I start applying to outside hospitals for med-surg anything? I did apply online for a float position at a friends' OSH unit. But I am in orientation on this unit...What should I do?

[WorriedAbout2Morrow]

I say just hang in there & see what happens. I won't say it will get better, but hopefully it will. :)

[wildtulip]

I agree, you way want to be persistent while you are learning, and then you can move on to a better place. I had experience that usually new nurses in any unit get this kind of behavior from the others, maybe they think they are better, and unfortunately it's almost everywhere. Just hang in there for now. I quit a job because it gave me so much stress and they treated me like an incompetent nurse, I am not happy because of that decision now. It would be in my best interest had I stayed in there.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I've never worked ICU, but have floated to Neuro ICU, Pedi ICU, Cardiac ICU, and NICU over the years. The nurses I worked with when I floated were cordial- but not overly friendly- but boy did they know their stuff :) It's a tense environment. Lots of intense and critical decisions and assessments have to be made, and my guess is that they're just seeing how you handle things. They've got history together. You'll start to feel more like you fit in as time goes on. :)

Some of the "_itchiest" nurses I've worked with have been the absolute best w/knowledge. They save the energy for pleasantries for patient care- and I can respect that :) It's nice when everyone is all chummy- but that's not the big thing. My guess is that they'll have the patient's back if you get swamped- and that's good. You'll get help- but also OFFER help if you see someone waiting for help to turn someone - it's ok to initiate some of the positives, even if you're the new one :)

Some people I initially did not like AT ALL ended up being people I really liked and respected... just takes time for everyone to get to know each other. Best wishes :)

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

I read a lot of insecurity in your post. We often will get what we want in terms of behavior. If you want to be looked at as fat and having ugly scrubs it will happen because that's what you're doing. It's our behavior that often times sets the tone. Before you even went there you had doubts and listened to the rumors. Now when it gets real you can now say "See; it wasn't me, it's them" ... they are the reason I failed.

So you had 4 preceptors ... well since you have experience do you need the same nurse holding your hand? And how rude of that nurse to sit at the desk and let you do it all, after all isn't that what you were suppose to be doing (BTW, that's exactly how I train). "Old transfer" ... hmmmm what does that mean? Are you saying that you are older therefore unacceptable?

Wow; you had nothing good to say about any of it. Also, what about the patients ... it isn't a popularity contest. Focus on the patients and if you think you're overweight do something about it. Stand up straight, comb your hair back and go to work, not to please the other nurses. You need to stop worrying about what they think and concentrate on doing a good job. Obviously you wanted to work there; so work there. Head up, confidence, shoulders straight, smile.

What we think others are saying about us is often times actually what we really think about ourselves.

[MamaCJRN]

I'm so sorry you are experincing this kind of treatment. I thought nurses had evolved and no longer "eat their young". I have been the new nurse and have always been treated with respect and welcomed by most (there are always one or two that are 'that nurse'). I have also worked in units where the new staff coming in are treated and trained to be part of the team, so we can do what is safe and right for our patients.

We shouldn't tolerate this behavior, it's bullying and it's wrong. If leaders are aware of this behavior and not doing something about it, they need to face corrective action, just like the bully.

It sounds like the unit is pretty far gone, I hope I'm wrong and someone is dealing with the problem staff. I can't offer any advice, I have never experienced this to the extent that you describe. I always tell myself "You can do anything for 12 hours, 4 weeks, 1 year, etc and then move on" to get through a difficult assignment.

Let us know how it works out and what helped you through it.

[DookieMeisterRN]

Really if you've only been there 2 weeks I think that's too soon to form an opinion. I wouldn't worry about what other co-workers know or don't know and concentrate on what you need to learn for this position.

I would expect that you would be given the most difficult patients with minimal assistance from your preceptor. It's always better to be in the worst case scenarios while you have back up than to be babied during orientation and be thrown to the wolves when you're on your own.

I think you are the new person, may be feeling insecure, overly sensitive and making many assumptions. Everyone has their own perceptions and it would be difficult to say if you are right or way off since no one else is there to see your interactions, body language, tone of voice etc.

My advice is to be confident, smile and please don't listen to what nurses on other units are gossiping aboout. Chances are they're just being catty and planting seeds of doubt.

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

I understand. The first instinct seems to scream "RUN! Don't walk... RUN!"

But something tells me this year will be hard.

It WILL be hard no matter who your co-workers are! MICU is no joke!

I am concerned I won't get the support I need when I am on my own, d/t the cliqueyness of the unit. And as you know in nursing, no one is perfect, and if someone dosen't like you, they can easily make an innocent mistake or something overlooked (we all do that) into a huge deal. (Which I have heard happening on this unit from the people that warned me-- but no, I didn't listen in my burned out from 6 patients with no support staff state, and told myself, how bad could a year be?)

A. Stop comparing the two units.

B. Stop listening to what others are telling you about "how catty and aloof MICU is".

C. Stop participating in this crap. Period! You can only be responsible for your karma - what everyone else does, is on them. Resolve today that you'll never be "that nurse" that everyone else gossips about...

D. So you don't think you've made any friends or acquaintances on your new unit. Ok. I hear you.

Question: Has it affected work? Has it affected patient care?

Work is work. Not everyone has to get along with me. I KNOW I won't get along with EVERYbody. Some folks just don't gel. That's fine. It's life. Can't please everyone all the time.

BUT as long as it doesn't affect work/patient care - I really could care less. I'm here to work, not to make friends or win popularity contests. That doesn't mean that I don't have friends at work - but that's not my priority....

IMHO, I think it's still too early for you to throw in the towel. You're still on orientation!

Strive your best. Prove your mettle.

And if despite your hard work and your best efforts you still feel lacking - feel free to look elsewhere....

My $0.02

cheers,

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I understand. The first instinct seems to scream "RUN! Don't walk... RUN!"

It WILL be hard no matter who your co-workers are! MICU is no joke!

A. Stop comparing the two units.

B. Stop listening to what others are telling you about "how catty and aloof MICU is".

C. Stop participating in this crap. Period! You can only be responsible for your karma - what everyone else does, is on them. Resolve today that you'll never be "that nurse" that everyone else gossips about...

D. So you don't think you've made any friends or acquaintances on your new unit. Ok. I hear you.

Question: Has it affected work? Has it affected patient care?

Work is work. Not everyone has to get along with me. I KNOW I won't get along with EVERYbody. Some folks just don't gel. That's fine. It's life. Can't please everyone all the time.

BUT as long as it doesn't affect work/patient care - I really could care less. I'm here to work, not to make friends or win popularity contests. That doesn't mean that I don't have friends at work - but that's not my priority....

IMHO, I think it's still too early for you to throw in the towel. You're still on orientation!

Strive your best. Prove your mettle.

And if despite your hard work and your best efforts you still feel lacking - feel free to look elsewhere....

My $0.02

cheers,

Well said! I would hold out for that year, get experience in the critical area. You'll be a hundren times more marketable in the long run. You can put up with just about anything for a year..but get the critical care stuff first, then leave!