Don't know if I'm trying to find a new specialty, or I just want to leave this unit?

[SoundofMusic]

I have now almost completed my required time for my contract on a unit I'm on. I am interested in it, (neuro) for the most part, but also have curiosity about other areas of nursing and would LOVE to leave the unit to work somewhere else. One of the better managers who I really like and admire encourages me to stay on the unit and strive towards charge nurse, management role, etc. which is encouraging, but I just chafe at the idea because I have so many people on this unit who just annoy me to no end with their nasty personalities, their nitpicking, criticism, etc.

I want a change so badly, but I can't figure out if I want to leave to go to another speciality, or I'm just trying to get away from certain managers and co-workers on this unit.

I feel that no matter what unit I go to, I'm going to have to deal w/ nasty co-workers and managers. It will be short staffed and I will work like a dog and perhaps get along with a few people really well, but for the most part, it will be a lot of disgruntled and difficult personalities to deal with.

Is this just floor nursing? Is there another nursing speciality where I could just be with nicer, more professional people??

Or, it is a personality thing and do you sometimes just have to go through a few units to find the one you're comfortable on? I feel like I am interested really, in almost any type of nursing, but what repels me away are working with the difficult co-workers.

I am a very hard worker -- not perfect in any way, but I do well enough. I am easy going, like to have fun on the job. Patients seem to like me for the most part. I am not a totally nitpicky detail oriented person. That is a fault of mine I know. One manager really gets on me for being on the unit so long, yet not remembering how to re-start a computer station. I just feel like those are the minor details and I don't care about remembering them. I am into the patients, into showing compassion, into the science of my job, etc -- I don't give a flip about a damn computer station!!

I have a prior degree in marketing and PR also. I'm a very creative person and a good communicator. I also believe in good manners and professionalism. The problem is, many nurses I run into on this unit don't value these things and prefer to behave like beasts and I just can't stand it. This is, however, the first unit I've ever worked on, and perhaps I just need to look for one where I fit in more.

Don't know if it's me, if it's them, or if it's the type of nursing. I have always wondered if I'd fit in better in pediatri (I'm a mom of 3), or perhaps in psych, or oncology. I'm also interested in doing lactation consulting if possible, although I'm 46 now and not sure how long that would take. I'm also interested in going to grad school for a NP or advanced degree, and will be in a great position to do that in the next few years.

Any advice is appreciated.

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

So you think if you move on you'll not hit personality conflicts in the future?

I sincerely doubt that!

Better to stay put as your friend suggests and learn the skill of working with those you probably wouldn't consider having as friends.

Ever thought about bringing doughnuts to work; I swear this ploy works to quell the beastliness of the "beasts."

[teensmom]

I was in the same position a couple months ago. I absolutely hated where I worked, my co-workers were horrible. It was my first job and I thought all nursing jobs would be the same. Out of the blue I got a job offer and took it. It is in the same field but it is so different. My co-workers are so unbelievably nice, I feel like I've come home. I love it! I recommend trying to find another job and testing it out before doing anything else. Good luck.

Teensmom

[SoundofMusic]

Teensmom, I noticed you do L&D? Do you like that work? Somehow I envision L&D nurses being "nicer" as they are interested in moms, babies, kids, etc. I know that may sound sort of silly, but I just wonder.

I work on a tele neuro/stroke floor. It's a tough, TOUGH floor. I have learned a ton, have my ACLS now, and feel I've got time management down. It's been a great experience, but I just need to find a softer place. I guess I really feel as if I don't fit into the unit much.

[teensmom]

I actually wasn't really interested in L&D, I wanted to be in the OR. But it was the first job I could get so I took it. It is not all happy outcomes as I'm sure you know. In a way, it can be harder because one of your patients is unseen and many times you have no idea why the heart rate is plunging-and many times you never find out why-sometimes it is actually gratifying to find out the problem was a cord around the neck-as long as the baby is okay of course! In my first job the nurses were mean to each other and to their patients so they certainly did not show much compassion.

It's interesting, the ER nurses I have talked to say they would never be L&D nurses, too scary! I thought that was funny.

There are times when it is the best place to work, I love it after the baby is born and is lying on mom's tummy looking around with wonder in their eyes.

Good luck

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

i work on a tele neuro/stroke floor. it's a tough, tough floor. i have learned a ton, have my acls now, and feel i've got time management down. it's been a great experience, but i just need to find a softer place. i guess i really feel as if i don't fit into the unit much.

this is sadly ironic!! i worked a tele/stroke/general medical floor too! it was the last medical surgical floor i worked before leaving my hospital to work in an er. my co-workers were just as you described and the managers were just as clueless and knit-picky about the trivial as you described. in fact, if it was not for the horrid working conditions i probably would still be working there since initially i had planned to work med surg for 1-2 years before transferring to the er.

in any case, to answer your question … i do not know if you should change specialties. i worked on two different floors prior to the last med surg floor and neither of those units were bad. so, it may not be the specialty that bothers you, but it is definitely that floor! thus, i suggest that you leave that floor!!! get out now! if transferring to another department does not work, then leave that hospital!

if you have a passion for a specialty then when you apply outside of the hospital apply to that specialty. it has always been my goal to work in the ed so when i decided i was getting off that floor, i only applied to ed positions in my surrounding area. if i had not landed this position, my plan b was to move out of state! no joke! i refused to accept any more medical surgical positions in the hopes of landing my passion someday. looking back now, working med surg for me was a waste of my time because it did not properly prepare me for the ed.... all specialties (even med surg) requires on-the-job-training.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

the only way you will ever know is to try.

Personally, I believe there is not much difference in groups, but the trick is finding a group with whom you identify. Also, do not fall into the trap of making your work your LIFE. When you go home, forget those folks. Only healthy

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I would do it. When I was on the floor for some reason I was unhappy. Not really 100% sure what it was. I like it well enough, I even had more than plenty of good days, and for the most part coworkers where ok. I got offered my old job back with an increase in pay and hours and I took it on whim really. And now I can say that I am truly happy. So I suggest you go for it. Sometimes you just get tired of the floor. A change is always nice!

[CASTLEGATES]

It's likely the culture of the facility. Places like that don't need nurses, they need new management.

I can't tell you enough jobs I've had where the benefits are good, you're treated like a professional and your opinion is counted...just can't compare with some hell hole facility.

Ask friends about their jobs (especially agency nurses). Try working agency to find a good fit and let them know it's only for x amount of time then you'd like to work there (agencies can always make an exception if you push it...it's just money).

I can't tell you the night and day differences between facilities I've seen. There are hospitals I wouldn't let my dog work at and others I've been pining to work at with no openings (because they're great)!