advice request from seasoned nurses please

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Sep 16, 2011

Just do your job, if they don't like you, tough for them. Your highest priority is patient care and safety. Unless staff are interfering with that, don't worry about what they think. Once they see you doing a good job, they will respect you, even if they don't show it.

Altra, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2011

If this is directed at the whole group of new hires (how many of you are there? that might be a clue ...), and has even been noted by supervisors, then I would guess that there are probably departmental/staff/unit culture issues that pre-date your arrival and have nothing to do with you.

Keep on keepin' on ... and do your best every day. Be uniformly pleasant and professional to everyone. Good luck to you. :)

Palliative Care, DNP · Sep 16, 2011

I have actually told people before "we don't ever have to have dinner or go to the movies. We just need to work together." Do your job and that is it.

SweetseRN · Sep 16, 2011

Yes, this is a hospital culture issue related to a recent merger between 2 hospitals and some other stuff too. It is a smallish city hospital but I am one of 8 new RN's hired to this floor and 1 of 26 hired for the hospital this month alone! I know the negativity is not directed at me personally. I still really love the job and the hospital in spite of the drama. I guess all I can do is maintain my professionalism and integrity and provide the best care I can to my patients. I know that I have to let the drama roll off me because every time I allow it to bother me, it could potentially effect the care I provide. I guess there is no easy answer, I think it will just take time and patience to prove myself. I really hope I have what it takes.

Zookeeper3 · Sep 16, 2011

My nursing start was from a unit where all the nurses were "fired" and removed to other units and it would take weeks for this transition to occur. Basically, they cleaned house and left the bad apples to train us.

It was beyond antagonistic and I almost had to beg for an orientation, which ended up poor.

Being a new nurse I lacked the skill set to communicate with those with whom I needed to learn from, and they ignored me to the safety point that they could.

I said nothing, watched and learned and figured out who would help me. I paired up with this person, asked them specifically to mentor me and even changed my schedule to hers. She was not the best, but I sought out and gave myself the best orientation that I could under the circumstances. The manager was zero help as she was being displaced as well.

I had a tough trial by fire orientation to a progressive care unit where I had 4 vent patients with critical drips. I couldn't be bothered with being afraid to ask questions because I knew nothing and my patients would suffer.

One thing that helped, I would do a swap, "I'll do all your morning labs, if you follow each assessment and teach me". You have to give and take in these tough staffing times and be willing to trade off skills. If you do this, you'll find people that are willing to work with you and help. You just can't suck them dry, you need to give back to them too.

I wish you luck and growth.

SweetseRN · Sep 16, 2011

I love your idea of a swap, fantastic! Thank you so much. Maybe that is part of the bitterness, new hires sucking people dry. I never thought of it that way. So glad I asked this question! That is exactly the advice I was looking for.

honeykrown, MSN, NP · Sep 16, 2011

I would say do your job and ignore negativity. If they notice you are good they would warm up, Most people are weary of constant change especially when they dont know what would happen. before i started on the floor 3wks ago (before that i was on hospital orientation and everyone in other units were friendly but those on my floor) I told my husband that the people werent warming up to me and i didnt know why, he said it takes a while for people to warm up. when i got to the floor they were nicer a few days later. One even told me she was still new(3months) and having to hear that even more new people were coming she was nervous and that in the end it didnt turn out bad. Everyone has been a lot civil with me except one whom i havent had to work with.

RN2MSNasap · Sep 16, 2011

This is a tough situation to be in for sure...i cannot answer from experience as when I started out I was mentored by some of the best people ever (I was very lucky) but I have worked with many, many, seemingly difficult people, but I always killed them with kindness, was positive, and proactive (offering help, swaps, etc) and let me tell you in my experience that is contagious, and you will soon see yourself rubbing off on these people. A lot of nurses feel very overwhelmed with their workload and feel a lot of pressure to orient someone, and it comes off as being standoffish...just be true to yourself..do your job...do it well and people will warm up...Good Luck to you!

Davey Do · Sep 16, 2011

Any advice on how to deal with the apparent lack of acceptance until I can hopefully prove myself? Aside from the obvious professional behavior that I always do my very best to portray, how can I go just a little above and beyond to prove to them that I am serious, dedicated and grateful to be employed there? I really just want to be a good nurse, learn all I can and do the best I can for my patients.
How can I make the transition from newbie to peer just a little less painful?

I have found that if you take out the biggest one, the others will respect your abilities and will accept you into the pride.

I'm kidding, of course. You seem to have a true perspective on this situation and have gotten some good responses. In these sort of situations, time and consistent adherence to rendering good quality care will prove to be the best indicator.

Self-awareness, in knowing that you are a good Nurse, will ease the transition and get you through all the tough times to come, in the long run.

The best to you, SweetseRn.

Dave