First year almost over, yet somehow . . .

[SoundofMusic]

I still don't feel like I "fit in" with my unit.

I do ok workwise, am surviving the tough days and haven't made any massive errors. In fact, I think I'm developing quite well as a nurse. I've been there now about 10 months.

It's just the atmosphere of a fast moving hospital floor w/ lots of travelers I don't fit into. I'm not exactly knockout attractive or "cool," I don't joke well on my feet -- in fact, I guess I'm sort of the quiet dorky type. Maybe not too dorky, but I have a few great friends I know well. I guess I'm just not the "popular" gregarious type. Being a new nurse doesn't help. I'm honestly still working so hard just to develop my skills, my nursing manner w/ people, etc, etc.

I don't know -- I just don't feel like I fit in. I have tried w/ so many different folks to be nice, to get to know them, but I feel rejected a lot of the time. So many of them "click" and I don't. And it gets hard working all day around folks when you know you aren't fitting in.

It could just be I need to change units and find where I DO fit in, because I have before, KWIM?

Just don't know what to do. I've really got a lot of time to go before I can finish up my obligation w/ my contract.

Has anyone ever felt like this and what did you do? A lot of days I just feel downright uncomfortable. It also seems I'm never on with the nurses I do feel comfortable around -- the handful of them that there are.

[levisandtees]

Sound,

I, too, experience this...I started the same time as several others (all of us brand new LPNs) and they are completely at ease with the supervisors and other staff--laughing and joking with similar interests, etc. Because I haven't made these connections I think that it makes even asking work-related questions difficult. I've always been quiet but adjusted at previous jobs--I guess I've never felt at this much of a disadvantage/unsupported before.

Sorry I don't have any suggestions...at this point I just try to smile at everyone and be polite (when I'm not totally engrossed in a situation in which case I've been told I look mad ).

Good luck--I hope others have some ideas!!!

[jjjoy, LPN]

Besides just getting through it til you can choose to move to a unit where you feel more in sync with your colleagues, I just wanted to say Congrats! on making it this far!! I've enjoyed your posts regarding your experiences as a new nurse. Keep on keeping on! And keep on writing about and sharing your thoughts and experiences!

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

I always think that there are 3 questions to ask before moving units or shifts or situations...

1. Is it just "me"? Sometimes, people who aren't extremely outgoing are viewed as "unfriendly". This could just be your "Way." If you know you could ask anybody about a nursing issue, and get an answer...I'd be ok.

2. Do you work on your social skills? Sometimes, I'll be talking to a nurse during report about off-subject issue when we are done or before we start....and we are friendly to a point. Some of them don't do that, some are just not good at "how are you? Fine." and that's it....no question back, no follow-up questions, etc. So it could just be them.

3. If it's not you...and it's not them....then maybe it is the unit and the work. Maybe you do need to find a unit where they are more friendly. However, I'd rather work with a bunch of quiet compentent nurses that I could ask questions of then a unit full of basic nurses with no clue who could have long conversations about what I did this weekend.