Bullied At Work ??

[apop1]

I'm currently an accelerated BSN+MSN student and while in nursing school I decided to become a nurse tech, specifically at the hospital where I have my clinicals. I thought this would be great experience for me and would familiarize me with the facility. It was also a plus that the hospital was a teaching hospital. When I interviewed and told the Unit director I was a nursing student, she assured me that I would learn a lot on the floor. The nurse educator also told me that I would learn many things and that the nurses would be willing to teach me.

Here is where the controversy began: On my first day of work, I was super excited/anxious/nervous/eager to learn everything. I had a preceptor and I was suppose to just watch and do whatever she wanted me to do. She was initially very playful and just seemed happy to be teaching someone. The day started with her gossiping about other techs but I thought nothing of it and laughed it off. I introduced myself to the nurses and asked if any of them had foleys to be inserted if I could watch. In the middle of the day I had a meeting with the Nurse Educator and I did advise my preceptor of that and if I also could take a break at 11 because I had a phone call. She said that that was okay. I went to my meeting, made my phone call and when I came back she had a MAJOR attitude. But I ignored it. Then a nurse came up to me and said"I just want to let you know the tech is telling everything that you're doing whatever you want to do and not listening to her". This was a shock to me because I was never given direction that I didnt follow and I thought I was keeping an open line of communication. I watched the preceptor whisper to people as I walked by and when I asked if anything was wrong she said nothing ! Finally the nurse says "I told her about what you said just wanted to let you know". Then my preceptor began to voice her concerns.

From this point on ....from the gossiping I have been isolated at work. Someone is always whispering when I pass and I'm always trying to do my best. My patients always thank me and say how wonderful I am but the techs and the nurses already have this idea of me. Also because I'm an accelerated masters students the nurses feel the need to tell me why my career choices are not smart. And they do this in packs ! Imagine 3 or 4 people telling you that you wouldnt be a good NP because you have no experience and that all your school want is your money and that they wouldnt hire you as a new grad. This happens everytime I show up for work. Its as though I made the BIGGEST mistake for saying that I am an accelerated nursing students and discussing my goals with other nurses.

Today was the ultimate disappointment when one nurse decided to publicly voice her opinion on my persona and my decisions. She told me that by me asking ,on the first day of work , to see a foley insertion I was "sh**ing" on the nurse techs and that it was pretentious and that I am a Nurse Tech and not here to learn nursing things and that maybe after I do all my tech work I can ask to watch stuff. And that it looks bad for me to not be listening to my preceptor on my first day and she's just letting me know because she's tired of every one talking behind my back. This was the most humiliating thing to every happen to me at work. it was a group of nurses listening and watching me as I was being torn apart by this nurse. The very nurse who attended the same nursing school as I.

Later she "apologized" for hurting my feelings. I didnt think that was much of an apology because I never said my feelings were hurt and if they were was that the only thing she was sorry for ? I feel attacked everytime I show up for work. I keep my conversation to a minimum and someone still finds a way to say something. I did let my nurse educator know, vaguely, that I received a lot of push back from nurses to learn things, but he's not on the floor and I 'm starting to feel like Im not going to learn as much as I thought. Im so stressed. Just venting .. If anyone wants to express their thoughts or comments, I'd love to read them.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

...it was pretentious and that I am a Nurse Tech and not here to learn nursing things and that maybe after I do all my tech work I can ask to watch stuff

My first thought even before getting to this part, you were hired as a tech and need to focus on your tech work. If your fellow techs are as busy as my hospital's, sure it won't go over well -- from day 1 you are already trying to use your shift for things other than what they are paying you for, and leaving your unit down a tech until you decide to get back to work. Especially since you are on orientation-- this is the time when you are to learn about your tech position.

It's not bullying to suggest one is to do their job.

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

Rule #1 never share your goals to those who will not contribute or give any positive motivation..lesson learned. I had an incident when i got hired at a job before i told anyone about me being a nurse student and a LVN, I was liked. then i told one and the next day everyone knew.....well you can guess what happened....attitude for days by the same nurses..why? they were cool before they found out....i learned the hard way but i will never do that again. A great tip when working at a job is talk less, do more. Nod and smile. Be polite. Keep personal out the door...if someone IS talking about other nurses that is a SIGN to stay away from that person. you did good to play it off but that was an eye opener for you about this person. She gossips... Also, do not let any job give you any stress or anxiety. If that is the case...say adios and look for another tech position. Trust me , CNA jobs are available especially nights and weekend.s

PS your story reminds me why i tell people not to get large students loans because you can graduate and end up at a job you may not like because of its environment but the loans are still due.. (((message)))