Appreciation???

P_RN, ADN, RN · May 6, 2003

It is discouraging to feel unappreciated, and I'm sure you r co-workers are feeling the same way. Tell them you appreciate things. Give help even if it is just helping to make a bed, or stepping away from the Pyxis if someone has a stat. Compliments can go a long way in making a shift bearable.

If you know you are doing your best, tell yourself just that. I guess I sound like a Pollyana, but 29 years has shown me that you are your own best advocate.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · May 6, 2003

I think P_RN hit the nail on the head.

Do exactlty that which YOU wish to receive !

Make it a point, and make it a habit of telling OTHERS dailey how much you appreciate them.. (without overdoing it or being superficially obvious, of course).

But find some small things to compliment in SOMEBODY each day.

It's contagious ! Before you know it, what you speak will be coming back to you ! Positive words create a life of their own.. as do negative ones. Your choice !

shawng007 · May 6, 2003

vicky,

I guess I must be the lucky one, as a nursing assistant and soon to be LPN, the hospital in which i work is great, I dont think I have ever been told to do something, but asked, and I am almost always thanked(except in emergencies when they dont have time to thank me) and after my shift is done I am thanked by at least one if not more nurses and other staff for my help. I would have to agree with the other responses, however, and give what you want to receive. If no one knows how it feels when others are nice to them, how should they expect to know what nice is. maybe if one person starts, the others will follow, tell people they are appreciated, and soon you might find the makings of a miracle. Remember, it takes only one person to ruin a party, but it also only takes one person to make it a success. good luck and God bless.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · May 7, 2003

Thank you all so much for your wise advice. I feel better already. I will do what you suggest. One person can make a difference!

Rapheal · May 7, 2003

Yes, great advice. I was overwhelmed the other day and told my co-worker who was not on my team. She asked me "Is there anything I can do to help?" I told her "You just did, thanks for listening to me." She was too busy to help, but just knowing that she would try, and that she cared, made me feel so much better.

sjoe · May 7, 2003

And it's a good idea not to have all our eggs in one basket. The more we find satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment from non-job activities, the less we are blown around by the winds of indifference, and worse at work.

gwenith, BSN, RN · May 7, 2003

Very true Sjoe. But it is still nice to get positive feedback - even just a "thanks for your help today" is soooo nice. Unfortunately bad manners or indifference and become a norm within a workplace from there it is a short step to bulllying. If people do not get feedback they will start to seek it by putting others down. Yes start giving positive fedback but also bring it up at a staff meeting. Others may be feeling the same way. They may also have some suggestions about how to feel motivated and good about yourselves again.