Feeling of distress

Well, growing a thicker skin would help, for starters.

Yes, it's frustrating to have someone start your day off on the wrong foot, and while I'm not justifying this nurse's actions, she may have had a really, REALLY sukky night and was about at her wits end. She also might have been too busy to recognize the fact that you just came on duty, either.

At any rate. there are going to be hateful, nasty, frustrated, disgruntled ppl in ANY career, it is not a "nursing" thing alone.

I'd say rise above it. You might have asked her if she had a bad night and offer assistance, while explaining that you just walked through the door and noticed her frustration.

In other words, honey goes SO much farther than lemons. It might have helped HER attitude, and kept you from having to stew over this all day as well.. making your OWN day far more pleasant. :)

I have heard about RN's treating students badly before. I am glad I am the type of person who doesn't care. Just remember your experiences when you are the RN.

I'd let it roll once, and only once. You do not have to lay down and stuff your feelings. The behavior you describe is unprofessional and should be confronted if it continues. As unpleasant as it is, direct confrontation can lead to conflict resolution. Nip it in the bud. Management tends to give lip service to appease everyone involved and generally not get involved unless it generates a negative patient outcome. I am dealing with a very similar situation myself. The first time I encountered the problem, I let it roll. The second time, I confronted the person directly. I think we have reached a new understanding. We may not be "friends", but we will be civil and professional which is all I ask.

Being a nursing assistant is a tough job. No respect and little pay. There seems to be a general misconception that nursing assistants are lazy and slackers. What a darned shame. I don't know a harder working, more necessary bunch.

Sometimes, this type of nursing really makes me sick and I want to leave my RN degree in which I am nearly finished and do something else. I hate nasty people and the nursing profession really fustrates me.

If anyone has been in my situation or have any advice to keep me strong and sane I would love to hear from you.

I couldn't let this post go by without answering. I have been an RN for 29 years. I have seen all kinds. It is the burned out nurses who do the griping. It is hard to even be around them. Also, as a whole, I find more backstabbing and complaining from women. When you hear something, confront it. Something like, "were you talking to me?"

When I moved to LosAngeles, I was waiting around for 4 weeks before I was finally able to start work as an RN. Instead of just sitting around, I got a part time job working as a sales person at a women's clothing store. If I thought nurses were tough, I had no idea what it would be like working with blue collar workers. I couldn't wait to get back into the white collar world!

One bad apple. Don't let the bad apple prevent you from getting what you want! Hugs and good luck!