First job after LPN licensing & Being treated with disrespect!

[Mary0000]

Hi I need help on making a wise decision. I just started my career as an LPN and my first week has been hell. I was hoping this dream job would focus on patient care but so far it has been gossiping, a lack of respect from colleagues due to my preceptor trying to make me look incompetent. I was put with this preceptor to train but so far the preceptor leaves out important details as far as where to chart important information therefore the doctors are complaining to management that I'm not doing the job correctly. Management believes everything the preceptor says and gives her high fives and congratulates her on doing a great job. I'm thinking the preceptor is making up lies about me behind my back to make me look incompetent. Management and the preceptor seem to be good friends. The manager makes her the leader in the area and totally disregard that we both are LPNs. She prefer to treat me like a tech. Management makes these huge announcements in front of other team members that the preceptor is the leader and we must follow her lead. I've tried to talk to manager but she always says, ask your preceptor if you have questions.

When I am seeing patients, the preceptor interrupts my time with the patients and states, speed it up with your assessments In front of the patients". She also will whisper to the doctors that I take a long time with assessments so now the doctors have started to interrupt my time with the patients. The preceptor sits and gossips with the techs and since her influence on them, now they don't have conversations with me and have no respect.

When I took this job as a new grad, I was hoping to focus on patient care and just being there for my patients as well as a positive welcoming atmosphere but it has been drama and backstabbing. I graduated at the top of my class and for someone to try and make me look incompetent because I'm not being trained correctly and because I'm the new employee is unacceptable. Being that this is a dream job for me, should I leave or stick it out and just ignore this behavior?

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

While I am not sure if your concerns are legitimate since I am not there, if after reflection those concerns remain legitimate to you finding a new job might be the best option. If you have given your co-workers and/or management any inkling of your feelings it will be an uphill battle to find a way to "fit in" with this group.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Mary0000 said:

She also will whisper to the doctors that I take a long time with assessments so now the doctors have started to interrupt my time with the patients.

I agree with pretty much everything everyone else has said, so no need to repeat it. We are not there to witness that is going on in your workplace, but my guess is you are overstating what is happening, even though in your mind, you believe everything you said to be accurate. Not saying you are lying on purpose, but I'm guessing things aren't really and horrific as you think they are. Again, just a guess.

As for why I quoted the above statement: doctors interrupt nurses all the time. I have seen doctors step in between the pt and the nurse in the nurse's' mid-sentence. The doctor then starts to do his/her thing without any "excure me" or "sorry to interrupt." Not defending the doctors' behavior, but it is a regular occurrence. Don't think it is just you, and don't think that your preceptor is the one causing this behavior by the docs.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Mary0000 said:

Management and the preceptor seem to be good friends. The manager makes her the leader in the area and totally disregard that we both are LPNs. She prefer to treat me like a tech. Management makes these huge announcements in front of other team members that the preceptor is the leader and we must follow her lead. I've tried to talk to manager but she always says, ask your preceptor if you have questions.

Why in the world do you have a problem with an experienced nurse being characterized as "the leader" by management? Do you believe that by virtue of having the same license, you are on par with this nurse? Have you ever worked in a hospital before? There are always certain nurses given more responsibility (often called "charge nurse", or "unit manager," "nursing supervisor," and on up the chain). Certainly a new grad should expect that she wouldn't be considered at the same level as someone with vast experience. I'm not saying a new grad should be disrespected, but just based on this post, you seem to have a problem with the concept of seniority, and you are assuming things you couldn't possibly know with regard to conversations held out of your presence.

Also, I think the whole idea of "dream job" is a dangerous concept. Putting any job on that kind of pedestal is bound to end in disappointment. Even the best, most fulfilling jobs are difficult, thankless, and stressful some days. That's why it's called "work."

You can leave this job, but be prepared to accept a hierarchy among staff based on seniority and experience wherever you go.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Horseshoe said:

Why in the world do you have a problem with an experienced nurse being characterized as "the leader" by management?

Thank you! I was wondering the same exact thing. That comment by the OP frames the context for the rest of the OP's remarks.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Change the dream or change your job.

No one deserves disrespect but I have found, in 21 years, you get what you give almost every time. Even your facial expressions and body language may be a "turn off" to all those darned rude senior nurses.

I have re-invented myself many times in my career. If it does not work and I can't make it work, I move on. SO, maybe, should you.

If the environment is as toxic as all that you won't do well anyhow and you won't change it.

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

Mary0000 said:

...The manager makes her the leader in the area and totally disregard that we both are LPNs.

Your licensure might be the same as your preceptors but since you are a new grad you aren't quite equal on an experience level. In this field, respect is earned and comes with time and experience. As others have posted, unless you realize you are contributing to your own failure to mesh with the unit you'd be better off finding another position. I would hope you'd come to the realization that like love, workplace harmony is a two way street.

[ital91]

OHLAWWWD. I LOL at those who say "respect is earned in this field, and comes with time and experience." It's called basic common courtesy people, regardless of experience. If you don't feel accepted, then something is off. As others have said, reflect on your situation.

"When I am seeing patients, the preceptor interrupts my time with the patients and states, speed it up with your assessments In front of the patients". She also will whisper to the doctors that I take a long time with assessments so now the doctors have started to interrupt my time with the patients."

^ When this happens..in a firm, calm and confident voice you tell her - I'm taking my time to do the assessment so I don't miss anything. The point of an assessment is to find any abnormals.

Show confidence in the way you walk, when you speak to others (and w/patients), and in what you know!

Some people think they can walk on others if they sense low confidence/uncertainty.

[Mary0000]

Here's a follow up from the previous post. Let's just say I'm no longer in training & the "preceptor" is still trying to give me orders. I have told her if I have any questions, I would let her know as I am no longer in training. Something as simple as she's telling me when I can go to lunch, for ex: She'll say, "you can go to lunch now", like she's my boss. Instead of us agreeing on specific times that works best for the both of us, she just want to be in control. We have the same job title as nurses & The only nurses working on the floor. She talks nicely to all the other workers (techs) & respects them but when she approaches me, she tries to give me orders. It's impossible to work with her. I was hoping we could work as a team but it's not turning out that way. I have gone to extent of giving her a thank you gift for precepting but she still is rude & unappreciative. She gossips with the techs and I have walked up and overheard her gossiping. They swarm around her because she's negative about everything. Do you think she does this because she is trying to run me off the job or because she wants to have all of the attention on her when it comes to knowledge & leadership in the area because she's been there longer than me? I am debating on putting my notice in to leave this area because it's impossible to work in a negative environment.

[broughden]

Why is it every other job related post on AN is exactly like this?

"Something bad happened to me at work. Should I quit?"

Horrible crap is going to happen to you at almost any job you have, at some point. Get used to it.

1. Identify the problem.

2. Document the problem. Keep notes on the behavior that is taking place, when it takes place and how it affects you.

3. Approach your supervisor, HR or both and request a meeting to discuss this problem.

4. Calmly and professionally convey the problem and how this is affecting your work. How this is creating a hostile work environment for you.

Basically put on your big person pants and defend yourself. Dont let one idiot run you off a job and potentially ruin your work history. Let HR or your supervisor handle them.

Unless you are being physically or sexually assaulted or harassed, or your license is being put in jeopardy, your work drama really isnt that bad. Handle it, and defend yourself.

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

Okay, you are a new nurse and one month into your first job. Stop and listen to the other more experienced nurse. You don't know everything yet and, to be honest, you will always have things come up you need to ask about. Take direction from this nurse. Ask questions about situations. Being the new nurse also means taking your break when told. Nurses need each other to help out with situations.

I find in your posts that you are having a hard time accepting the fact that you are new and don't know everything. You have lots to learn so use this nurse as a resource, not as an enemy. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but it is real life nursing. Anytime you are new in a job, you are low man on the totem pole so to speak. You need to do your job and get along with your coworkers whether you like them or not.

[amari]

One of the most important things to learn in nursing is how to stick up for yourself, because unfortunately it's a rarity that someone else will do it for you. I've found that, in most cases, it earns the respect you deserve. No, it's not the way things *should* be. But it's the way things are. You WILL run into wonderful people who make your working life better...and you'll also run into people who make it misery. If you let them roll over you, that's what your job will be- miserable.

Example: I worked with an NP that everyone was afraid of. She'd throw her door open and shriek at the nurses because she couldn't find emery boards in her supplies, or some such nonsense. When I first started, I had to learn how to assist her with derm procedures. She didn't care for my lack of knowledge and was snippy and rude: "I'll just do it myself!" I very calmly said, "Show me how you want it done this time, and you won't have to show me again." That shut her up- evidently everyone else had let her bulldoze them. She showed me, and that was that, and she loved me after that and rarely gave me a hard time the way she did the other nurses. And when she did, I'd give it right back to her.

Obviously, this won't work with everyone. But you HAVE to stick up for yourself. It's really hard to do when you're a new nurse- believe me, I know. But just push back. Don't be disrespectful or rude. Just push back and let these people know you're not going to let them roll over you. And if that doesn't work, well, there are always other places to work. The people you work with matter as a nurse. ESPECIALLY as a new nurse. I'm sorry you're dealing with this, but just know that these challenges make us stronger.

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

Well, usually people with more experience than you are leaders and supervisors. Not sure the problem there. You are a new nurse...you should take the opportunity to learn as much as you can and admit that you're new and have a lot to learn. Being at the top of your class doesn't matter in the real world either...experience and your attitude towards learning does.