Former Med-Surg RN now working in SNF - Help!

[RegisteredNuisance, RN]

I'm an RN with 1 year of acute Med-Surg in the hospital and might be accepting a job at a SNF soon. When I quit my last job I vowed never to return to nursing, so I'm suprised and excited about starting this job - excited because the DON gave me a positive outlook of the unit and the workings of the facility.

My question is this - how have you dealt with the negative culture among other female employees? In the last two places I worked, I had a few problems with the other nurses, such as backbiting, "So-and-so said you said this", and "So-and-so said you were rude to them". I felt like I was working in a mine field. I was written up twice for issues that did not involve patient care in any way, and generally felt that the environment was not supportive. I felt that it in fact wanted me to fail.

And now I am TERRIFIED of running into these issues at my new job. I've always had confidence issues and beginning to develop some coping mechanisms to deal with negativity and impolite behavior among female coworkers. I tend to try to treat people respectfully but I'm human and prone to getting stressed just like everyone else.

Any pointers for staying positive and keeping one's self esteem at work when faced with negative female coworkers?

[*LadyJane*]

I am also a newish nurse, but I and my friends who work mainly in long term care have not found the backbiting thing where we work (3 different facilities). I have heard of such nastiness at the hospitals.... (shudder)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Any pointers for staying positive and keeping one's self esteem at work when faced with negative female coworkers?

In my personal experience, night shift nurses seem to be tighter-knit and can toss the pettiness aside to get the job done. After all, we have less resources and way less people on nights, so it's imperative that we set aside our differences and pull together.

I'm not saying that other shifts are bad. I'm just saying that I prefer nights because I feel there's a tad bit more camaraderie among nurses after the sun sets.

[chrisrn24]

In my personal experience, night shift nurses seem to be tighter-knit and can toss the pettiness aside to get the job done. After all, we have less resources and way less people on nights, so it's imperative that we set aside our differences and pull together.

I'm not saying that other shifts are bad. I'm just saying that I prefer nights because I feel there's a tad bit more camaraderie among nurses after the sun sets.

I agree.

Tons of more teamwork at night.

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

Unfortunately part of it is probably luck of the draw with your co-workers. I hit the jackpot and got an awesome nursing staff at my LTC, all of them have been so supportive of me as a new nurse and I really enjoy working with them. I think my main thing is that I try not to say anything bad about anyone to anyone. If there are conversations about personal issues I usually excuse myself with "I'm not really involved in that issue" no one comes to me with it and I don't go to them, so maybe it's happening around me, but I'll enjoy my blissful ignorance.

Good luck!

[benegesserit]

I agree - it's the facility, not LTC specifically. My co-workers are great, and I hear relatively little gossip from the nursing staff.

[RegisteredNuisance, RN]

Thanks ladies and gents for your comments. :)