Constant Negativity from Staff

[fitzfan82]

I'm a 32 year old ER nurse who has been at the same hospital for the past 8 years. Like everyone in the nursing, I get annoyed with certain types of patients, family members, MDs, etc. I get burnt out and grumpy. But my ER has become increasingly negative it seems- the attitudes of many of our RNs and techs is really start to get to me. I think some days I hear more moaning and complaining from the staff than from my patients. Laughing about the ridiculous stuff we see is one thing, we can't do this job without humor, but downright negativity is really tiresome.

I don't know if my being a type 1 diabetic (since I was 7) with a complication of gastroparesis as well as neuropathy has made me too soft towards certain patients, but it really bothers me when they mock gastroparesis patients and I tend to be overly sensitive about the 'drug seeker' stuff, at least with patients who could very well have legitimate pain. I figure its not my job to judge if they are legit, or what their circumstance is- my job is to take care of them as best as I can so they can either be discharged or admitted.

Anyway, for now I put up with all the complaints, mocking of patients and negative comments, but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what they have done. Is it time to look for a different hospital? Move to a different specialty of nursing?

Thanks

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

Eight years is a long time to stay in one place anymore. If you don't like the culture where you are, then it's time for a change.

[fitzfan82]

Thanks. I guess it is quite a long time. I haven't been in the ER the entire time, I currently float between ER and PACU, but still. I appreciate the input :)

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Yes, I worked in an ER where the culture was very much like you describe. It's not like that everywhere. Maybe a change of scenery would help.

In the meantime, have you spoken up about your own issues? I've seen situations where, when "one of our own" has a medical issue, it can trigger compassion for patients with that same issue.

If you're not well-liked it might not make much of a difference, but if your co-workers feel a sense of camaraderie with you, and understand that you have an issue like that, they might start to see you in some of the patients they deal with, and thus be more empathetic.