Getting on with other staff

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Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

So I am a new grad nurse 7 months out, working in the casual pool of my hospital. Meaning on I work on many different floors. But mainly med/surg.

I will say im an introvert, but I find it really easy to get on with pt. It's a part of my job I really enjoy and probably my biggest strength. The last two shifts I've had, I've had pt requesting me to be there nurse because they didn't like the nurse allocated to them. But really liked me. And even my pt said they were happy that I was back and a family member thanked me for the great care I had provided. I will say this isn't a daily occurrence. But damn did it feel good!!!

however the issue is I don't seem to get along with staff. Some floors I love and get on really well with staff. But I've had a couple of complaints from nurses on other floors that I don't work as a team. I will say a big part of it is personality clashes, and learning to work with so many different nurses. I am always professional. But i am very focused on my pt and what I've got going on on busy shifts. If Im having a quite shift I will offer to help, and answer others call bells and do what I can.

In my hospital we work in team, we have a certain amount of pt between 2-3 of us. From there we decided whose having what pts. But are suppose to work together to cover each other breaks, and help out with task that take more than one person. (Which I do). Since I've got this feedback I've been more aware of my practise. And making sure I'm checking in with other nurses and seeing where they are at and if they need a hand, instead of being so focused on just my pts.

I know this isn't 100% me, because the nurses I get along with say I'm doing a great job. But I understand it's an area I need to improve on. I don't want to have a bad reputation. I don't want to became the nurse no one wants to work with.

What else can I do? Any advice would be great. Obviously this annoyed me at first. But I do like getting feedback and improving. It's how I've developed some of my other skills. I remember my first clinical as a student. Started off terribly, but I listened. And in the end the offereded me a job as a cna.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

Well, it sounds like you are trying so that is always a good first step. It is hard to float and get to know the unit/people in the same way you would if you were a regular on that unit. Are the floor nurses complaining to you directly? If so what are you saying to them, I would ask them how they feel you are not working as a team player, make sure you understand unit expectations, and then go from there; ask your self if they are being realistic, is this an area you need to improve in etc. I don't quite understand how the unit works, are you assigned your own patients and therefore just helping out others when you are able, or are truly working as a team meaning you are all responsible for all patients. Either way, are all units the same or do they differ in this respect. If you have your own list of patients then they are your primary responsibility and you cannot shirk your duties to those patients in order to continuously help others. Either way I would just try to find out what their issues are and work from there. Are the c/o coming from Charge/Manager?, then I would talk to them also and find out what their expectation are for that unit. Sometimes there is room for improvement, and sometimes the expectations are not realistic (ie people are trying to take advantage), and sometimes its in the middle. You want to be careful though because if you are floating you never know where you will end up. Good luck and congrats newgradnurse17!!

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Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

We are responsible for are own pt. But if we need a hand or someone to cover our breaks, then you go to that nurse/s.

It come from my manager. Not directly at me. One nurse in particular I disregarded because I left that day so angry. It was the first tome I've felt bullied as a new grad. She just didn't want to be there or do anything. And then shouted at me for not helping. She had the easiest pt load and left early. While myself and the other nurse in that group left an hour late because we were so behind. Both of us we really annoyed with what had happened.

But another nurse on a different floor complained about the some thing. So I'm aware it's something I need to improve on.

It's hard when you boss doesn't directly see you work, and only has these complaints to go off. Hence the worry of having a bad reputation, that will affect this job and any other jobs I apply for in the future.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Next time a manager pulls you aside with a complaint say this: "I work really hard at being helpful and conscientious. If I'm missing the mark in any way, I'm certainly willing to hear about it from whomever I've caused a problem for." Make sure to ask the manager for specifics. If the complaints are vague or anonymous, blow them off and keep chugging. Hopefully the manager gets the picture that you are responsive to direct feedback and doesn't entertain stupid stuff.

No matter where you work, there will always be difficult people. Learn not to take their behaviour personally. They're just an annoyance, like getting stuck in traffic.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.
We are responsible for are own pt. But if we need a hand or someone to cover our breaks, then you go to that nurse/s.

It come from my manager. Not directly at me. One nurse in particular I disregarded because I left that day so angry. It was the first tome I've felt bullied as a new grad. She just didn't want to be there or do anything. And then shouted at me for not helping. She had the easiest pt load and left early. While myself and the other nurse in that group left an hour late because we were so behind. Both of us we really annoyed with what had happened.

But another nurse on a different floor complained about the some thing. So I'm aware it's something I need to improve on.

It's hard when you boss doesn't directly see you work, and only has these complaints to go off. Hence the worry of having a bad reputation, that will affect this job and any other jobs I apply for in the future.

Yes, those are valid concerns so I would address it (unless you already have) with the manager who made the complaints and also with your own manager. I would let them know that you are taking their complaints seriously (even if you are not) and trying to work it out etc. Keep it non-emotional and do not mention the bulling things or they will not take you seriously. The first year of nursing is very hard and I think that a float position is even harder and most hospitals will not even hire new grads into that position. I don't know if you wanted a float position but maybe a change to a specific unit would help, hopefully one of the units with no c/o about you. There are many different personalities you will work with and sometimes its not just you...try your best to work it out because you do need to work there and/or will eventually need a reference if/when you leave, but remember the old saying..."you cant please all the people all the time"...just do your best to work with you manager and the team and that's all you can do!! I am sure most people will see your true colors and who cares what the rest think.

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I first read the title of your post as "getting it on with other staff". So, the actual post left me disappointed.

I'll move on. Good luck!

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I first read the title of your post as "getting it on with other staff". So, the actual post left me disappointed.

I'll move on. Good luck!

OMG so did I, it took me a few sentences into the post to realize that was not what I was supposed to have read.

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