Feeling of distress

Hi there

I just thought to share some work experience for you all and hopefully get your advice. I work as a Patient Care Assistant in a hospital. The work can be full on with ADL's etc. I work under an RN. I float to different wards per shift according to where my Coordinator needs me.

So therefore, I went to this ward (for a 7am shift) and went to the kitchen put my bag on top of the lockers and put my lunch in the fridge. Came out of that room, to head to the handover room to be prepared for the day. While I was heading to that room, (not being 5 minutes of being on the ward) a night duty nurse was mumbling something and was looking at me while heading to a patient room. I caught what she was bad mouthing me saying in my direction to another nurse that I was standing around and cant answer the buzzer. I looked at her and couldnt believe my ears. I was thinking do I go to approach her and tell her I have not started my shift yet and I wasnt standing around. I remained quiet went to the handover room waiting for the report.

Within 5-10mins I was sent to another ward, not because of the nurse reporting me or anything. As another Patient Carer had problems in another ward and they just changed me around. So to me it was a blessing in disguise as I no longer wanted to work in that ward I was initially in. So all day it was stewing with me and I told myself I had to report that incident so I did advise my coordinator. Even she thought it was strange.

I bust my guts all the time working for this hospital and I wish this RN knew my hard work. I dont pussy foot in wards and if she wanted me to answer her buzzer then she should have asked me. Also that buzzer I didnt even hear until she was bad mouthing me. There are better ways of handling the issue, instead of the RN getting upset with me.

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.

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

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. :)

[charlies]

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.

[wonderbee, BSN, 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.

[Audreyfay]

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!