Strong vs. weak RN

[Ariyala]

Hi, in your opinion, what could I do to be viewed at as a "strong" nurse vs a "weak" nurse. I feel that on my floor, (a busy CVICU) that the charge nurses see me as just a mediocre nurse. Not weak, I've been there forever it seems, just not very strong. Even though it would seem silly to you, I'd like to learn charge nurse duties, and I've been seeing that in the absence of a regular charge nurse, they will place a nurse in charge who has been there for half the time I have been. I've heard them say (when trying to chose the shifts charge RN) "Oh, Jane is a strong nurse, she can do it". And believe me, I've asked the manager, but apparently I'm not in the clique! Now, even though I have a strong personality, when it comes to work, and in a group, I often find myself following & being pushed out of the way. I know what to do in certain situations, I guess I'm just scared of doing the wrong thing with a group of cliquey nurses. I'm on top of my patient care, rarely needing assistance/advice (they actually look DOWN on people who ask 'too many questions'!!). Maybe I just answered my own question. I guess I need more self confidence. But in a group of cliques, where they ALL think they're right, how do I shine?

[Chisca, RN]

Have you taken the CCRN exam yet?

[Ariyala]

studying for it now to get prepared to go back to school for CRNA.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I think a good starting point may be the feedback you get (and hopefully you do get this) from your employee eval. Also -see if there are any nagging little tasks that need to be taken on and take the initiative. For example - I took the initiative to clear out the alcove that we kept all of our unused iv pumps in and found an old night stand to keep mini infusers in. It didn't take me long - knocked it out over the course of my shift but once organized, it stayed that way and the management and charge staff really were impressed. I was made a charge nurse my very next shift, though honestly, i wasn't doing it for that - I was just tired of fighting with the iv pumps.

[Ariyala]

Well, my yearly eval is pretty much generic. "You're doing a good job, keep up the good work" etc etc. And I'm the first one on the floor to take initiative when it comes to doing better for the unit. From organizing things, to helping with new orientees, I'm the girl ya go to! I just don't get it.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I know what you are talking about.

I call them the "A team" and the "B team". If we were athletes, the A team would be the star players.

I play on the "B team" even though I have many years experience there because I am a seldom seen per diem employee.

In some ways, a cycle reinforces itself. The strong nurses get more challenging (for better or worse) and they get stronger.

The weaker/mediocre nurses get more of the turn-water-feed patients, and rarely get the challenges. I have worked ICU for 10 years and have only had one patient code and die ( I'm not counting withdrawing support). I drill myself on ACLS to keep the skills and knowledge.

[Chisca, RN]

Whatever dynamic that exists between these nurses was created long before you arrived. Keep focused on your educational goals, be the best nurse you can for your patients, and stop seeking approval from the clique. If you haven't revealed your plans for CRNA school to these folks, don't, as it may make you more of an outsider.

[Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN]

.

:dzed:

Seems confusing - mixed messages, at best. I doubt that you are considered a "weak" nurse - I'd bet the opposite.

I am a bit uncomfortable pointing this out and may even be really wrong - but, here it is....

It is likely known that you want to further your education and are seeking certification. You have also communicated the desire to be charge -- and that "goal" seems to be being kept from you without any explanation. Hmmm.....

I have found that some folks are threatened by the success of anyone else. Sounds petty, catty and selfish - but it does happen.

There is no way to resolve this without the help from your manager - a mandate to make you charge. Other than that - the "clique" will likely just sit back and watch you be disappointed and find some delight in that "they" are really getting the gig on you.

I have found far more folks than I'd have thought existed that take delight in seeing one not meet their goals - when "they" know that you are on to better things. I guess they will have a delight in their career looking back on how the "CRNA worked here once and she can't be all that - cause she couldn't even be charge".

Now this may not be the dynamic at all - and if not, I am sorry to be such a negative Nellie or paranoid Polly - I have just seen more than my share of bitter, jealous and miserable folks whose sole entertainment and joy ONLY comes at the price that they can extract anything from someone else.

I say head down and work hard and don't let this get you down. Your future is bright with opportunities.

Good Luck.

:angel:

[llg, PhD, RN]

It sounds to me as if you could use some work on your leadership skills. It's one thing to be a competent care-giver. It's a whole other thing to be a leader.

Self confidence is a part of it. So is being seen as someone who offers help to others when they are busy or having a difficult time with something (and not waiting to be asked to help). Do your colleagues come to you with their questions? If not, why not? Do they see you as someone who delegates well to nursing assistants, secretaries, ? In other words, do they see you as leading a team of people or just as someone who gives competent care to her assigned patients?

[Ariyala]

I'm not sure how to put in multiple quotes, so forgive me for not doing so.....

To Chisca - Its not that I want approval, I really don't care if they approve from me or not, I just want the training and opportunity to show I can be a good charge nurse.

To NREMT - I doubt they are really 'keeping me' from wanting to do the job, seems I am just being overlooked. Or am I really THAT nieve? Most nurses on my floor are seeking higher education, so its no secret I want to go on, I just don't advertise as much as the others.

To llg - I guess I do need to work on my leadership skills. My colleagues DO come to me with questions, when they are busy, and/or having a diffiult time with a task or thinking, etc. I'm not too good at delegating, mainly because the ones who we can delegate to, are either non-existant or won't help. (we don't have assistants and the secretary I work with only helps those she wants - I know, SO petty another topic entirely!) My assignments include everything from the best step-down patient to the one circling the drain so they know I am competent.

But how would I go about working on my leadership skills without stepping on toes. I'm not one to be bossy, or tell people what to do, I guess that my problem!! haha

Thank you for all your replys so far!!

[cookienay]

Since this seems to be an issue in my workplace, allow me to perhaps offer another explanation. We have several "strong" nurses in my dept (ED). They have great assessment, critical thinking, multitasking, and customer skills. However, they simply do not have the temperament to be a charge nurse. For example, one nurse who is a little sensitive and thin-skinned wonders why she isn't chosen. I am not saying that is your case, that was simply one example. Not every good nurse is cut out to do charge. Not every good charge nurse makes a good manager (I know that from personal experience). It hurts to know that sometimes we simply have limitations on what we will be successful in doing.

I am not saying that this is your case. Just simply something to think about.

If you do not feel this is the case, then I would just say be patient, be the best "strong" nurse they have and something will change or come along. Best wishes to you.

[ukstudent]

now, even though i have a strong personality, when it comes to work, and in a group, i often find myself following & being pushed out of the way. i know what to do in certain situations, i guess i'm just scared of doing the wrong thing with a group of cliquey nurses.

i'm not too good at delegating, mainly because the ones who we can delegate to, are either non-existant or won't help. (we don't have assistants and the secretary i work with only helps those she wants

but how would i go about working on my leadership skills without stepping on toes. i'm not one to be bossy, or tell people what to do, i guess that my problem!! haha

i copied some of your more important/relevant parts. you do not have a "strong" personality at work. you are a follower and not a leader by your own words. a charge nurse must be able to get others to do what is needed, for the running of the unit.

if you really want to become charge then you need to change your work personality, only you know if it is worth it.