Dealing with attitude as a new RN

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 5, 2013

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Sounds like you may be a victim of lateral violence. If I was in your situation, I would transfer departments ASAP. Start signing up for overtime shifts on some other units to get a feel for them, make connections with the managers, and when you can transfer, do so. Ask the unit educator your questions or contact one of your preceptors from nursing school. (This may not work for urgent questions, but it is an alternative). Try not to get sucked into their gossip and don't start gossiping yourself.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Nov 5, 2013

Managing conflict is an unavoidable part of any job - or life. Have you told these people how you feel about their treatment? If not, this should be your first step. It's always a mistake to simply assume that others 'know' how you feel or what you are thinking. Maybe this won't make a bit of difference, but it needs to be done. One of the most effective ways to address harassment or 'bullying' is simply to cease acting like an easy target. Standing up for yourself would be unexpected. Try not to be emotional - simply state the facts about how their behavior is making you feel.

The next step would be a discussion with your supervisor.... again, s/he doesn't have a crystal ball or ESP, so you need to tell him/her. Be as factual and objective as possible. Make sure to point out that the ongoing situation is having an impact on your development - making you afraid to seek the guidance from more senior co-workers. Be prepared to offer a suggested solution, such as transfer to another department. If that does not help, take it up the ladder &/or make an appointment with HR - using the phrase "hostile workplace" will ensure that they take you seriously.

elkpark · Nov 5, 2013

Well, I don't support the kind of clique-ish, gossipy milieu that you're describing, but I've gotta say, I, too, would be "incredibly irate" if I came to work and discovered that the RN I was relieving had overlooked getting a blood sugar that ("as luck would have it") was critically high. That's a v. serious error. So is not taking off orders. It isn't just about "extra work" for the next RN, it's dangerous. I know that tone is v. difficult to read in posts, but it doesn't sound like you get that. The best way to get the other nurses off your back is to work on developing your prioritization and time management skills and general competence. Making the transition from student nurse to practicing nurse is difficult and stressful, and one piece of that is getting used to getting more, um, "direct" feedback than people are accustomed to getting in school as students. It's not right and it's not a healthy way for people to communicate, but, as the old saying goes, sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. That kind of behavior says more about them than it does about you, and it only hurts you to the extent that you let it hurt you. Also, the more you let them see that their behavior is upsetting you, the more you encourage them to continue. I can understand the appeal of simply transferring out of the situation, but the grass is rarely that much greener on the other side of the fence, and there is a lot to be learned and gained from just working through the situation and coming out the other side. Best wishes!

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Nov 5, 2013

I would try to go to your supervisor & tell her what is going on. You don't deserve that treatment, no one does. If that doesn't work then try switching departments, it might be better it might not.

I started orientation with a brand new nurse. I could tell she had an attitude & she thought she was the best thing to nursing since penicillin. She had been a tech in a small ER for, 4 or so years, but just got her LVN license. I heard from the nurse who was training us that she ALREADY (we had only been training ONE WEEK) talking garbage behind my back! Thankfully that nurse told her to quit & told our boss. Oh & she's working the opposite card & nights to me.

To top it off she had given me attitude multiple times before.

If you can, switch shifts, talk to your supervisor, do whatever you can. Yes, there are cliques at my job but I avoid them like the plaque. I get my job done & go home. If anyone will try to make my life/job more difficult you bet your behind I will be in my HSA's office & they will get talked to! I don't care that I've only been there 2 weeks!

sourapril · Nov 6, 2013

You gotta earn respect from other staff who have been there longer than you and it takes time and patience. I remember on my first day of the flu clinic I said hello to one of the older nurses, and she said she has been doing this for 12 years and blah blah blah. Then she told another nurse she couldn't believe they let new grads do this in front of me. They didn't help me carrying a few large boxes with supplies and she was pretty intimidating the whole time. But you know what I was on top of everything, super organized and made her life easy by acknowledging and appreciating the experience she brought and at the end of the shift her attitude turned 180 degrees and she even helped me carry some supplies.

My best advice to you is to persevere and get a good night sleep (if you are stressed or tired you are less likely to do a good job).Believe yourself that you can do your job well. Be humble but don't kiss asses. Show them you are flexible and willing to learn but always be confident. It's hard to be a newbie in any field, but respect from others isn't earned overnight. Good luck to you and never give up.

osamejrn · Nov 14, 2013

I appreciate your thoughts on my post. But, I just wanted to add one more thing. The same nurse that was irate when I missed a blood sugar (which I should have made more clear, I got it before change of shift, but it was high). himself left 3 blood sugars for me to do one morning several weeks later. Did he forget..no. Was he too busy to do them....no. Was there a legitimate reason for him to leave these for me....no. He let his certification expire and was not able to use the meter. He was working with two others (another nurse & an aide) who were still certified to do them, The reason they were not done was because was fighting with them and not speaking to them. His co-worker told me that either one of them would have gladly taken the blood sugars for him had he asked either one of them to do so. But instead, he left them for me instead of asking someone for help.

I do agree that part of earning respect comes from knowing what you are doing, and doing your job well. However, after only 4 months in this position and being a new grad, I'm not able to do everything as quickly as they are. I can prioritize my responsibilities until the cows come home but I am still going to be slower at the job. After reading the other posts in this forum, I'm realizing that I am not alone.

Each one of these nurses began their careers as a new grad, working hard to get to the point where they are now. However, many of them seem to forget those first few months on the job and learning not only the actual nursing end of it, but all that goes into a new RN position. I have to learn names of drs. their group, their personalities and handwriting. I have to learn the ins and outs of all departments that I deal with, computer programs, nursing students, and hospital policies. Add to that only being there just a few months (now it's been 4 months-but it was only a matter of weeks in some of my instances mentioned above).

When one of them makes a mistake it's rarely given a second thought, let alone someone belittling them or intimidating one of them over it. And yes, a couple nurses have too, put patients in a dangerous situation. I want to learn how to do my job efficiently and be very good at what I do, but this will only come with time just as it did for them.

schnookimz · Nov 14, 2013

I swear I worked in the exact same unit. I finally left after three years. It was only bad the last year or so and could be nailed down to 4 or 5 terrible seeds. I had a million discussions with the nurse manager but when she doesn't fix the problem, it just breeds.

I wish you tons of luck and patience in dealing with their crappy attitudes!!!!!!!

schnookimz · Nov 14, 2013

I want to mention---they were so crazy and condescending that when one of the new nurses got hired, she told them "my name is Natalia but I go by Nat" and her preceptor told her she hated the name Nat and would only call her by Natalia. She was introduced to everyone as Natalia. It wasn't until I went to the poor girls wedding that I found out no one in the entire world calls her by that name and she hates it and purely ended up with it at work bc she was a shy new grad who didn't want to rock the boat with her new preceptor.