Any nontoxic places to work?

Bipley · Dec 22, 2005

I'm considering moving somewhere...maybe the northwest or midwest, but I'm open to ideas. My main concern is about the working environment and atmosphere. Is management supportive? Are the other RN's backstabbing and catty? Are there "cliques" and game playing? Do they "haze" new nurses into the group? I realize no job is perfect, but I'm a professional, educated adult and I REALLY prefer not working with a bunch of snotty, immature co-workers that act like it's Jr. High all over again and management that is even worse. :argue: :smiley_ab
As you can tell, I've had some bad experiences that I wish NOT to repeat. Sadly, the more I read on here, the more I realize it's everywhere. Does anyone work on a "nice" unit? The benfits, work load and pay actually mean less to me at this point in my life. Anything is tolerable when you have supportive and friendly teammates- it can get you through any shift. On the flip side, when you work with a negative environment, it just makes you want to quit nursing all together. Even worse, I've actually been suicidal at work! It's not good when you get a psych pt. and they end up trying to help YOU. :chair: The only way to know what I'm getting into is word of mouth because the RN recruiter isn't going to tell me, "Yeah, the pay is good, but that's because no one will work here otherwise!".
Are any areas of nursing better than others in this regard (people being treated like human beings?) I'm willing to try anything. THANKS!!!!

People are people any place you go. It isn't the state, it is the management.

Mayo, Scottsdale, AZ. Puts up with farrrr less than most.

Undecided7 · Dec 22, 2005

Well, this whole town is a piece of work. When I started as a new grad in one of the larger hospitals (they've won numerous awards), I had 10-11 med/surg/tele patients every night. That's WITHOUT my own CNA (who had 35 pt.'s to herself) or an LPN. The poor charge nurse would be responsible for 3 units- the entire floor of 105 patients. If a pt. complained because we didn't bring them juice and crackers fast enough (because we were busy trying to keep 11 acute cardiac/medical patients ALIVE) we were written up- for poor service excellence. We were (and still are in my current hospital) FORBIDDEN to tell the pt. or imply that we are "short staffed" because it would undermine their confidence in us. Seriously though- it wouldn't be so bad if other nurses and management would stand behind us.

Bipley · Dec 22, 2005

Well, this whole town is a piece of work. When I started as a new grad in one of the larger hospitals (they've won numerous awards), I had 10-11 med/surg/tele patients every night. That's WITHOUT my own CNA (who had 35 pt.'s to herself) or an LPN. The poor charge nurse would be responsible for 3 units- the entire floor of 105 patients. If a pt. complained because we didn't bring them juice and crackers fast enough (because we were busy trying to keep 11 acute cardiac/medical patients ALIVE) we were written up- for poor service excellence. We were (and still are in my current hospital) FORBIDDEN to tell the pt. or imply that we are "short staffed" because it would undermine their confidence in us. Seriously though- it wouldn't be so bad if other nurses and management would stand behind us.

Again, it isn't the state. It's the hospital. Find a place that values patient care and you will find a place you are happy.

For goodness sakes, WHY cold weather? Arizona is wayyy better! LOL

weetziebat · Dec 22, 2005

Just like to say I am so sorry for what you have obviously been having to put up with. And I'm certain that patients would definately have less confidence if they knew how understaffed hospitals are - so far better they think the nurses are just lazy and don't want to answer their lights.

I've lived in ten states and worked as a nurse in eight of them. Yes, I've seen the attitude you mentioned in all of them, but must say it appears to be less so in the pacific northwest than the northeast, especially. But I wouldn't change locales simply in a hunt for better working conditions. Or maybe I would, if it was bad enough..... :rolleyes:

Sorry I'm no help, but hope you find a good place to work.....and then let all the rest of us know where it is!

Town & Country · Dec 22, 2005

If you're worried about the environment you would be going into, insist on shadowing on the unit before you definitely accept a position. I don't think there is really any way to tell unless you go there yourself and get a feel for the people.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Dec 22, 2005

My office!

FT Retiree's stay on perdiem 2 days/week....don't leave till in their 70's. So we must be doing somthing right.

grimmy, RN · Dec 24, 2005

as you've already said, there's no perfect place, anywhere. i love where i work, but my priorities may not be the same as your's. we did an rn survey of our hospital last year, and the #1 thing that they loved about being here is the very high level of care, #2 being autonomy. the least thing they liked was staff numbers being on the low side.

when i was choosing the team i was going to be on (i work in the or), it was important to me that i be on team where i liked the people i was going to work with everyday. i didn't care what kind of surgery it was because i really like all surgery. i am so glad i did things that way - because i love my job and the people i work with! i had a great day at work today, and yesterday was fun, too! while i am pretty tired when i get home at night, i'm satisfied with the work i do. yes, there is gossip, and yes, there are teams that have some really hateful people. but i have to say that my team is awesome! we all exchanged gifts, the surgeons gave us all gifts, and we care about each other so much! we do the relay for life every year, we can finish each others sentences, and we can fight like sisters. i could not ask for more - well, i would wish that i was closer (geographically) to my family, but that's about it.