Published Oct 22, 2006
jade-athyst
46 Posts
Hi, new grad here (May '06). In August, I started out on a cardiac stepdown unit at a pretty big hospital here in MA. Passed the critical care course and will soon be off orientation. The problem is, that I have been having one of the worst experiences of my life at this hospital. It's a loooong story, but what it basically comes down to is that I get treated like absolute dirt by the majority of my co-workers, and management. I may be a new nurse, but this is not my first career. I've never had problems with my coworkers elsewhere, and I can't believe I'm being treated like this! This is way beyond the normal "hazing" type stuff new grads go through too. In fact there's about 10 new grads on the unit and none of them get treated this way. It's gotten to the point where I'm second guessing myself, my ability as a nurse and my choice to become a nurse. People who know me are telling me that what they're doing to me is total BS and that I'm a great nurse, but the negativity is really getting to me. I absolutely DREAD going to work every day, not because of the actual work, which I love, but because of the people. My patients love me and I love being a nurse but I can't stand working there anymore. So I was wondering, who out there is pretty satisfied with their work environment and the general attitude of their co-workers. I would love to know where these hospitals are, as I'm thinking I need to start sending out some resumes! Any advice would be hugely appreciated.
DolphinRN84, MSN, RN, APRN, NP
1,326 Posts
Hi there. I'm a new grad myself. Can't really answer your questions since I'm STILL looking for a job but have had a few interviews and just waiting. If I may ask, where and what exactly is this hospital you work at? I had an interview at BIDMC and it looks like a really good place for the nurses. Hope things get better for you! :icon_hug:
Thanks Lena! I feel like it would be unprofessional of me to name the hospital so publicly, but feel free to PM me. As far as finding a job I can totally relate! I'm still wondering where this so called "nursing shortage" is in MA. It took me a long time to find the job I have now, and it's an hour away from my house! And I graduated at the top of my class and had a retired VP of nursing help me with my resume! It's funny you mentioned BIDMC because I have applied there (no response), mostly because I had surgery there once and the nurses were incredible! Good luck with the job hunt, and let me know if you get any leads!
surfer betty crocker
41 Posts
hi there--Is it really that difficult to find a nursing job at a boston area hospital? I am considering moving back to MA after school, but not if the jobs are scant. has anybody else had such a difficult time finding a nursing job in boston? if there is a majority here I may have to reconsider.
Oh yeah, if you look back a couple of months in this forum or in the new grad one, you will find multiple posts about this. I was shocked myself, especially after hearing all throughout nursing school (and before), that recruiters would be banging down my door! I put out over 10 resumes. I got 1 (one) postcard in return, acknowledging the resume but stating they weren't hiring new grads at that time, this was from BIDMC. The only call-back I got was for the job I have now.
DDRN4me
761 Posts
have you tried north of boston? there are many good hospitals a little while north, and not as much "competition" over jobs. perhaps the culture at this hospital and you dont mix... not every person fits in every position. good luck!!!!
Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN
3,181 Posts
It is a common syndrome in nursing. Lateral Violence, here is an article on it. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15584678&dopt=Abstract
Chiefy
104 Posts
Sorry that you are being treated so bad.
I do love where I work. I am a new grad (May 06). Most of the coworkers I've encountered have been great. I know that I need to grow thick skin but I probably wouldn't last with what you are going through.
I hope things work out for you!
firecrackerkristen
1 Post
I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience. I graduated Lpn school june 2005 and am presently enrolled in an RN program. Most of the nurses I graduated with are having the same problem as you. As long as you have the heart to be a nurse the skills will come in time. It sounds like your a caring person and im tired of hearing cranky nurses treating new nurses crappy. Especially if they are about to retire....you might be there nurse one day. Now who's teaching who. Fortunatly, I love my job as a pediatric home care nurse.
riverbirch1970
9 Posts
I sympathize with you and your situation and I say shame on the charge nurses and nurse managers who allow this atmosphere of hostility to go on year after year after year. It's gossip and one upmanship thats behind this ill trreatment of newcomers (not only new grads). The tone of a unit is set by the charge person and the manager. If they play buddy buddy best friends with the established nurses and allow the hostile treatment of new nurses by not speaking out against it then they do not deserve their jobs. I know this is a little simplistic but a great deal of good can be done for morale and nurse retention by establishing no tolerance policy for new person bashing.
chartleypj
171 Posts
I agree. Quality leadership in nursing is sadly lacking.
Horozontal Violence in the workplace is rampant among nurses who continue to lash out at the very persons they should be collaborating with, and supporting - their peers.
As to your question, I love my work; however, I am very unhappy
with the workplace. I find the lack of professionalism, passive-aggressiveness, hostility, verbal abuse from other nurses and inappropriate behavior almost intolerable.
I have changed my job twice in the past year because of workplace hostility, and I am thinking it is time to leave nursing, (after 30 yrs.)altogether.
Please understand, not all of us older nurses are nasty vindictive B*****'S
I'm sorry your experiences have been so awful.
Paula
Chaya, ASN, RN
932 Posts
Jade, any update on your jobsearch? I changed jobs myself not too long ago and after many half-hearted attempts with similar experience to what you described (minimal response, etc) I got VERY aggressive about calling back, following up calls etc. before landing this position. However, I found it isn't always easy to even get the name of someone in HR to talk to if you weren't given it or got it by attending a job fair. (BTW- when I was going thru the application process in my current situation, their stated policy was to hire a mix of new grads/ experienced RN's)