But I LIKE My Colleagues

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Specializes in ED, Flight.

Many of the posts on here lay out complaints and concerns about coworkers and work environments. All legit. That's one of the good uses of a forum like this. We can draw insight and just plain old moral support from each other.

Even so, I just wanted to say...

I LIKE my colleagues. Well, the vast majority of them, anyway. And I like the shift that I work.

We are a varied, multicultural group; though there isn't much attention paid altogether to the multireligious/multicultural aspect. But it is there.

I work night shift in an ER. We are chronically understaffed. Even though we all have our individual assignments and responsibilities, we all play nicely together and cover each other. Nurses and techs often jump in to help each other with little or no request. My prime mentor from school and orientation is a favorite partner for me to work with; but really we all tend to chip in and get it done. A few of my coworkers, nurses and techs, are especially kind to their patients. That is always encouraging. For the most part docs and nurses work cooperatively. The guys who do our 'transport', moving patients to X-ray or admitting units work hard and in good spirit. Our housekeeping folks are pleasant and pretty diligent, though way overworked. One older woman in particular always greets me when she comes to clean a room, and makes sure to let us know when she's made a pot of fresh coffee in the break room. The charge nurse I usually work under is pretty efficient and doesn't hesitate to let us know if we're not getting something done right; but he keeps his sense of humor and goes to bat for staff and patients anytime he knows something is wrong.

One of our techs recently had to work elsewhere briefly. They came back to us in tears of frustration. They're accustomed to seeing fairly conscientious and compassionate patient care in our ED. They're accustomed to be treated as intelligent perceptive members of the team, and listened to when they have something to say about a patient. They were so disappointed by the care and attitude they saw in this other place.

Honestly, I know we aren't perfect; and at my age I'm not all that naive. But I think most of our patients get pretty good care, and they get it with a measure of real concern. And most of us play nicely together, and really help each other out, and all that makes for a mostly good environment for patient care.

We have our bad moments, to be sure; but I just can't think of anything worth venting about in our unit at the moment.

Sorry! ;)

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, Education.

Hi Medic! You are very fortunate. And most important is the fact that you actually REALIZE it! Teamwork can really make or break any job. Here's to you, for having a positive attitude and sharing!:cheers:

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Medic, I totally understand what you are talking about. I'm having to leave my new job of three months because my husband transferred 2 1/2 hours away from where we live now. I am totally bummed about it because it has been the first place that I actually enjoyed working! The staff was great, really worked together as a team and made it a joy to come to work everyday.

Those kinds of environments are few and far between , so when you find one, you really hate to leave. I can only hope that I can find a job in an ED as great as the one I had!

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Specializes in medicine and psychiatry.

Better hang onto that job. I don'nt believe it is the norm. Sounds like the vast majority are functioning in a highly professional manner at your facility. Morale appears high in spite of the understaffing. Sounds like a strong teamwork ethic is in place.

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I really enjoy my coworkers as well. For 2 1/2 years we had a real grump on our shift--we all hated working with her, she really brought us all down. She finally got fired (one too many pt complaints) and the last 6 months have been fabulous. We all get along really well. Several opportunities on days have opened recently, and no one on our shift wanted them. We all like working together too much. Imagine, a waiting list for night shift, and new grads going straight to days.

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Specializes in ICU.

I, too, consider myself fortunate to work with the group I work with. I went into critical care as a new grad, and overall my unit is very supportive and respectful. The experienced nurses are very helpful, and I find that especially encouraging, because I'm not afraid to ask a question if I'm not sure of something. In fact, although I would like to move to a different city, I won't, because I like my job too much. I just hope it stays that way - we are having a major shake-up in upper management, with almost all of our top administration leaving (despite good PG's, I might add). :uhoh21:

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

God love ya, we have this too, we're known for being the "well oiled unit". It simply means we help, one never sits while another is busy- we all sit together if and when the work is done. Sometimes we never sit, sometimes we ham it up all night. Admissions are a group effort an all the paperwork and orders are done together so no one is behind.

Unfortunately this is rare, as others are frequently floated to help staff us and they simply sit, unless told, point blank to "join in". Peer pressure and peer work environment is what does this.

It's sad that a few bad apples in the mix can undermine a culture, until the prevailing culture demand more... that is our challenge.

i'm so happy you have what i DO most nights, I wish we all would fight for it more often, it can be a beautiful thing. And it keeps me coming back each day, the pay, benefits... nope nothing else does. That's the key huh?

Keep it up! Woot:bow:

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Where I work we also never sit if another is busy.If anyone is having a bad day and gets behind all you have to do is tell someone and they will help or find you help. Ther crazy days we manage to laugh anyways. Morale is high and staff turnover is low.

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

I loved my old coworkers..I'm about to start on a new unit and I hope they are as team oriented!

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I have to agree with Medic, I do like my colleagues.

Last night a police officer came in who used to be one of our techs, and while waiting for his folks to get taken care of, asked how I managed to stay so long in this job (somewhere around 13 or 14 years in this ED). Have to say, its the people I work with. Although we were 4 nurses short, again!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Most nights, I have to agree. I like my coworkers, and we do pitch in to help each other out. I have never ever felt 'alone' while at work. There are things that irk me about some of my colleagues, but I know that they have my back when things get hairy. :up:

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I too like my colleagues, my job, and the shift is OK.

I do home visits after hours for a hospice agency. While I don't have anyone else along on the visit, I do call our hospice docs regularly noc. They are invariably helpful and never grumble about being awakened. Many of the primary physicians around town are also pros and cooperate to insure the Pt's best care. Some practices are better than others, naturally.

I share triage duties most nights with a couple of nurses who work the same shift. We work well together, I think. They're more experienced than me, and I know I can ask questions and get support.

No job is perfect, but I like the one I have.

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