Discouraged about my return to nursing...

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I have been a nurse for 7 years but have come and gone a few times during that time, now retuning after a leave of 2 years. I have also worked in the travel industry and have hoped to do both jobs. Since 911 my travel job has become more and more unrealistic (financially and physically). Therefore I am now pursuing nursing full-time but am feeling very discouraged. At one point I was a good nurse in many ways but of course after 2 years I need to brush up on my skills. I am trying sooo hard to stay positive and have had a few fellow nurses on my floor that are supportive. Unfortunately, there have been some that have not been. I do ask questions and second guess myself a lot even though I know I "used to know this." Last night when I asked the charge nurse to go over an insulin dose with with me she asked when I last worked as a nurse. Unbelievable! They are short nurses on this floor.....

I am still on orientation and I haven't given insulin in 2 yrs as simple as it may be... Plus I overheard other nurses gossiping about another orientee's "slowness." Jeez.....I don't want to be a part of this yet I do want to be a nurse. My background in the travel industry may no have helped in my nursing skills but It has given me excellent interpersonal skills and a sense of value for commaraderie amongst co-workers and value for laughter and fun (when appropriate). I want those things to be a part of nursing too....is that possible? feeling very discouraged..........is it this hard for everyone returning?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Well you can pull em aside and address their rudeness/meanness directly, and privately. Don't let them get to you-----you are not "slow"---you just need brushing up. And last I checked, TWO licensed nurses had to double-check INSULIN dosing/administration ANYHOW. Sheesh where do they get off?????

I still say be assertive. Take the ones who are bothering you aside and in private, and let them know you are in no uncertain terms, going to be "chased off" or "Bullied" around. You are wanting to be on board as fast as possible, so you can HELP THEM...the sooner they help you do this, the better for THEM ALL!

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Maybe that attitude is why they are short nurses on that floor.

It's very difficult these days, the workload on med-surg is so heavy, and then to have to deal with the nasty staff on top of it.

Hang in there, and try not to let it bother you.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Geez, you are definetly not the problem, they clearly are and that is why they are understaffed more than likely :rolleyes: . Hope things lighten up. Take care and best of luck to you. :)

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice, Home Health.

There has to be SOMEBODY there who is kind that you can buddy up with. although I've been in nursing for 9 years, when I am overly tired I will ask folks to look things over if I'm getting over my head. Just because the other nurses are "fast" doesn't mean they are doing it correctly. It just takes some time to get down a system...

Hang in there and keep your chin up. The facility that I work at has a "reentry" program for nurses that have been out of the field for a while. Currently we have a few displaced Delta stewardesses that are re-entering nursing. They have classroom for 4-6 weeks, i believe, then they are precepted with a nurse for at least another 4-6 weeks, and if there are concerns or they just don't feel comfortable yet, they can extend that another 4 weeks. THEN, if they are going to work night shift, they are precepted to night shift...They get paid a $6,000 signon bonus, and they have a 18 month committment to the facility...

I guess it's alot like when there are nursing students in a facility, some nurses are excited and welcome them with open arms, and others say "OH NO, not STUDENTS." Some people forget what it's like to be new...

HANG IN THERE!!!

AtlantaRN

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Their rudeness has nothing to do with the fact that they are nurses, but has to do with their bad character and bad treatment of people. The solution lies in finding out WHY they behave in such a way towards others. Therein lies the reason they are nasty to you. :rolleyes:

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After reading your replies it made going back to the floor easier even though I ended up orienting with the very same rude nurse. I was determined to make the best of it and also learned that others have had problems with her. I wish I could find an orientation like the ATL Delta nurses! I am in my first week and have had a different nurse to orient with every shift despite the promised preceptorship.... Flying was so much more comfortable but comfortable is not always better. I will persevere and thanks for all your kind words.

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I just did a post on the attitudes of some nurses. I am currently a soon to be brand-new nursing student. I fear those nasty nurses! I would like to think that the mean and cruel RNS are a rare breed, but frankly, the thought of their cruelness scares the pants off me! I don't want to waste my time, my money, etc., just to find out how miserable nursing is because of the way you are treated by other nurses! It's really sad - I would think the main basic characteristics of a nurse would be kindness, patience, and empathy. Those practicing with such disregard for their fellow man are a huge disgrace in my opinion.

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