Does it have to be such a hostile environment?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2006

Don't judge the profession by what you read on a message board.

We come hear and talk about the worst, but don't tend to talk about the daily rewards or why we're in it for the long haul.

Good luck to you.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2006

Don't judge the profession by what you read on a message board.

We come here to vent our frustrations with the worst aspects of our daily experiences in nursing.

What you describe was not my nursing school experience, nor is it my day to day experience in nursing. My nursing school experience was not based on fear and intimidation and power trips. It was run by professionals who took their students, patients and schools interests first. Yes, you are going to read about the bad, and there are plenty of bad schools, but that is what people are more apt to post, don't think it's all like that.

Why not go to the state board here and ask questions specifically about the school you are considering? Because there are indeed some bad schools out there. My rose colored glasses makes me believe that they are hopefully not the majority.

Are you going to run into problems, rudeness, cattiness? Yes you are. People will be people, no matter which program you choose.

I wish nursing was more nuturing of each other, but it in my experience it isn't as bad as you fear.

Katnip, RN · Apr 18, 2006

I am a middle-aged professional considering a career change. I have been thinking about nursing, but many of the things I have read about on this forum are beginning to give me doubts.
The whole 'boot-camp' atmosphere, where asking seemingly innocent questions can get you fired, where rudeness is considered a privilege... the 'when they say Jump only ask How High'... I was never good at putting up with this sort pf BS, but especially not at this stage in my life.
There has been much made about the shortgae of nurses, and how to attract people to the field, but the current environment is hardly inviting.
Fear is NOT conducive to learning. Back-stabbing and one-ups-manship are counter productive... but this seems to be the norm in medical settings.
Are any efforts being made to change things?

Not all units and facilities are like that. I worked in one that was horrible. And my last job the teamwork and camaraderie were great.

Yes, nursing as an industry does have severe problems. But they don't always manifest themselves in extremely negative ways.

Be very choosy about where you want to work and if the environment is hostile, leave it. There will be something better out there.

burn out · Apr 18, 2006

Middle aged professional considering a career change- I would seriously rethink nursing espicially if you are looking for a job you are capable of performing at 70 years old. Nursing is a very stressfull and physically challenging job on the worst of days-is this what you think you will be up for? If I were lookING FOR A JOB to retire from I would look for a desk job .

PamUK · Apr 18, 2006

Be very choosy about where you want to work and if the environment is hostile, leave it. There will be something better out there.

Couldn't agree more. If you choose a unit where leadership is strong, you wont go far wrong.

Any good leader will clamp down on cattiness, intimidation, sloth, rudeness and all the other negative BS!

Any good leader will encourage and nuture you, bring out the best in you, push you and be an excellent role model

If you find yourself in an hostile environment, just move on

Good luck

Gabie Baby · Apr 18, 2006

It all just depends on where you go to school, what people you meet, what conditions you encounter. I have had some horrible situations, I've also had the chance to work with lots of very nice, good people, some of whom I consider friends.

It's not easy deciding but I know you'll do what's best for yourself.

beautifulb · Apr 18, 2006

It is not everything that you hear about on the boards. People come on here to gripe because this is pretty much a safe environment. Yes, there is some cattiness and so on in the nursing world but I have found that that is not the norm. Out of all the places that I have worked there have only been a few individuals that were hostile and I have never heard of anyone being fired for asking a question.

SFlorida · Apr 18, 2006

I found this tred at oneter site read......

I am currently a nurse working in a pediatric hospital. I have felt for a while all the frustration that I have seen displayed on various responses and original postings. All talk of leaving the profession, feeling sorry for those who enter. How will things change? I really don't know the answer to this - and honestly want to try to find out - not just complain. Is it because it is a "woman's profession" that it has this stigma of backbiting, and the "woe is me" attitude? Why do we allow this? Why do men do better in "our" profession than we do? I believe that men are NOT brought up to believe that they have to put up w/**** and that they can't change it. Women do think this way. If a guy doesn't like something - he is vocal w/out being petty - and he is aggressive for the change not whiny. I think it is time to stand up and try to be the voice of change. It won't happen overnight but if we allow it to continue then the professional image will never change, the attitude will never change and we will continue to be disappointed in our choice of profession and the path it follows. Do we really want to leave this legacy to the next generation of nurses or do we want to be the advocates and make this the profession we imagined when we were in nursing school?

Guitar_Heroine · Apr 18, 2006

I think it's one of those things where the negative is much more prominent than the positive. When something awful happens people vent, but when things are going good usually we just mutter a "thank goodness" and go on. I'm just a student, but we often get the brunt of it. And I have to say that while I've been all over the hospital, I've ran into a few people who were less than enthused to have students, but nobody has been outright rude or demeaning to me. And the vast majority of nurses and NACS have been downright AMAZING to work with. Sure the nursing culture is full of all those goodies they teach you - horizontal violence and triangulation and such, but it depends on where you work, and is definitely not a reason to miss out on all the rewards of this field! I know from my standpoint my school is really working to make us aware of the environment and how to deal with it, and that we are the ones who decide if it continues or dies out. So yeah, there is hope

nursecher · Apr 18, 2006

If it makes you feel any better I worked for an insurance company for 2 years and the cattiness, backstabbing, and taking loads of crap were a daily thing there. I think in every field there are going to be good people and bad people, good facilities and bad facilities its not just a part of the nursing field, it's a part of living and working.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2006

This is true, most jobs are getting more difficult. I know two RNs who decided to work as pharm reps because they were tired of working in the hospital. They are both back at bedside nursing. They said working as a pharm rep (appeared cushy, NOT!) was horrible.

That said, there are absolutely some terrifying aspects of the nursing profession. Reading the "Near miss" thread here is my worst nightmare. Note, I'm a student, but from working in hospitals I do know the atmosphere and I've seen some meltdowns close up.

Thing is, all of that should not negate the positive. It can be a very rewarding career. For me, it comes down to control. If I feel I have control, I am ok. Lack of control for me = questioning nursing career and despair. So here's how I maintain control, personally. Be very choosy about where I work. Sign on bonuses and hourly wages are not the entire picture. Be willing to move to another city for a good employment match. Remember that no hospital owns me. That sounds obvious but it's easy to forget emotionally. Let's just say I will not be surprised if at some time in my career I have an terrible experience like the nurse in the "Near Miss" thread. I plan on faxing in my resignation letter with zero notice if I experience something resembling the horror in that thread. Don't let fear of a bad reference allow a hospital to abuse you. As an RN you are a valued commodity and have many options.

So anyway, decide you won't deal with abuse (other than the typical crapolla that occasionally occurs everywhere) or anything that jeopordizes your license. Live below your means and with an emergency fund so you can afford to quit without another job if need be. In short, I don't believe in sacrificing myself for any hospital. Work hard, yes. Sacrifice myself, no. Look for the gems within the profession and be flexible.

Well, this is what I am telling myself so I have peace with my career decision.