Having doubts about nursing school. I'm desperate, any advice appreciated.

[College_girl]

Sorry for having to ask this question. I'm sure it comes up a lot. I've been a CNA for ten years mainly in a nursing home. I've always wanted to be a nurse , I've shadowed in the ER, in the ICU, I've watched all the documentary medical shows you can think of a long the years and now I feel different. I just got hired at an ortho trauma department (my first professional hospital position) and I only started having doubts once I came onto this unit. I see cliques between nurses, rotations that never over lap because some nurses stick with their charge nurse and dislike the other rotation , rumors, gossip , wars between shifts , rudeness when nurses are giving report or receiving it, complaints of being back at work again, having to see/ deal with so and so. It even got to a point where I witnessed a clique of nurses be very nice to a new grad and once that person left, they started saying very rude things. For some reason I figured at a hospital things would be different , and trust me I love what I do (currently a tech) but I don't think I could handle that every single week until retirement. I was floated once to another unit to help out and it was the same thing. Nurses talking to me telling me how this unit sucks, how they want to leave , how so and so is this and that. This by the way was a whole different department ! What my question is , is this how it is everywhere ? Other departments ? I didn't want to ask nurses at work because I don't want them to know how I feel or how I perceive people , but I just need to know if this is how it is every where. I'm applying soon and since this job and seeing everyone, I've had doubts for the first time in 10 years. I mean I know Nursing isn't amazing and nice every shift and t has its ups and downs , but should I really judge Nursing and base my entire life choice off what I see in ortho trauma ? Your advice is greatly appreciated. Anything that can help me before I apply.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Every unit has its own culture. You don't ever have to get involved in "cliques" if you choose not too. Not all hospitals are the same either. So many places to choose from. As an RN, you will have more opportunities....

[College_girl]

Thank you for your input!! I really appreciate it. I did not realize how many different jobs and opportunities a bsn qualifies for. I only knew of what I've seen. Thank you

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

There are many varied options in nursing

[SmilingBluEyes]

I have worked where strong cliques are in place. I chose to be nice to everyone, watch what I said to ANYone and did my own thing. I never fit in, but I never had real problems, either.

[cleback]

Not everywhere. My hospital and clinic have a pretty inclusive culture. I also float and never get involved with drama that does crop up. Be careful where you work and lead by example. It will get better.

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

It is so sad that acute care appears to have more of a culture of backstabbing the scapegoat instead of embracing the concept of teamwork.

I receive the cries-out for help every single day from my job; I, the scapegoat, choose respond to those cries once a week.

Oh the joy (and benefits $$$$) of being a PRN Float Nurse! I'm paid enough to be able to decline more shifts than I accept.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

What my question is , is this how it is everywhere ?

Nope. I work from home and do not have coworkers in the traditional sense. The only clique I deal with is the group of annoying fire ants in my front yard.

You should explore job opportunities outside the hospital setting.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

"I've watched all the documentary medical shows you can think of a long the years and now I feel different. I just got hired at an ortho trauma department (my first professional hospital position) ".

You do not hold a professional position. Watching medical shows means diddly squat.

If you apply to nursing school and are accepted... it means you have what it takes to succeed. The rest is up to you.

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

Congratulations on your first hospital job. It is different working in a hospital. Every unit will be different and have different cliques. If you are cordial and professional to everyone there you should not have any problems. It sometimes may seem like it is everywhere because the people complaining are always the loudest. Just continue to be observant and you will see beneath the complaining group are groups that do care and love what they do.

Keep at it :)

[Farawyn]

"I've watched all the documentary medical shows you can think of a long the years and now I feel different. I just got hired at an ortho trauma department (my first professional hospital position) ".

You do not hold a professional position. Watching medical shows means diddly squat.

If you apply to nursing school and are accepted... it means you have what it takes to succeed. The rest is up to you.

YES!!!

[AceOfHearts<3]

What makes my unit is certainly not the patients, while we do get some wonderful ones, we also get ones that make you want to pull your hair out. The workload/acuity of the patients is too much as well- we aren't step down, but we certainly feel like we are a lot of days. What makes my unit are the workers. We have a truly amazing team and are told that by other staff that fill in on my unit occasionally. Not all the units at my hospital are like my unit- I have a friend who complains about the cliques and gossip on her unit. Not all of us are friends outside of work, but we do have nurses that hang out with certain other nurses outside of work (I do this too). This doesn't change anything while at work though- we all check in on and each other and help out as much as we can.