Going bonkers!!!!

[Yayamaya, RN]

I'm as an RN at a private psych facility after a very short orientation period. I am feeling frustrated and deflated. Every time a mistake or oversight is made the nurse responsible is called in by the RN supervisor or Chief Nursing Officer, told (scolded) about the error, and of course has to go in to correct it. It seems to be an environment soley focused on money and pointing out the negatives, with no positive feedback. After 1 month I have been called 3 times and am beginning to question my ability to do the job or if this is the place for me...The staff seem bitter, frustrated and are always ready to report on each other. I am so scared at work of screwing up and the wrath that comes....

Am I being too rash?

Is this a normal administrative route?

What can I do?

Any feedback would be soo welcome..

[phil1968, ADN, BSN, LPN]

Find another job, leave notice, then get out as fast as you can. You are in a toxic work environment and I promise you, things will not get better, but will likely get worse. I would be willing to bet they are under scrutiny from a regulatory agency.

[sdlane]

Yes, I agree with phil I would find another job, and put in a leave notice. This has to be very unhealthy and stressful for you. Take care of yourself and find a new job fast !

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

How short was your orientation if I may ask? It sounds like a horrid place if others are willing to throw their coworkers under the bus so readily. Being called in 3 times in 1 month would make me question my orientation to them when they were scolding me. They should still have someone for you to go to if you have questions. I've been part time for almost 2 yrs and still go to my mentor or any nurse that's been there for a long time with questions.

I'm questioning whether this is newbie misery or a really sucky place to work. Can you talk with someone?

[Yayamaya, RN]

The problem is that I have been told that "you can't trust anyone". So I don't know where to turn....

[Yayamaya, RN]

Orientation was 6 shifts. The problem is that I have been told that "you can't trust anyone". So I don't know where to turn....

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

6 shifts is not enough to know where the safe spots are! I'm not at a private facility so I guess I can't really guess how safe it is, but 6 shifts hardly seems adequate. If you really don't trust your coworkers, then I'd be leaving. Especially in behavioral health you need to have each others backs in times of violence. If your getting beat down, and you can't trust your team will be there to back you up, then it's time to start looking elsewhere. I would sit down with my manager and voice my concerns though. Whether you trust them or not, letting them know how you feel may help.

We recently had some new hires complain they didn't feel welcome. Morale is pretty low and people come and go so often I guess people just got tired of seeing the negative that they forget that its important to be helpful and just show some basic good manners. I'm sorry your going through the bad stuff and wish you the best.

[Yayamaya, RN]

Thank you. I always appreciate the comments, advice, valuable suggestions that I get from fellow nurses, leaving me reassured and understood.

[Midwest4me]

I am sorry you're going through this. Alas, in our mental health hospital, the administration runs things much the same way. I imagine many psych facilities(as well as others) operate this way. The supervising nurses get away with verbal abuse towards other RNs, LPNs, therapy techs.

Some time ago during night-shift-to-dayshift report, Night Shift Nurse A made a comment about a patient(in the shift report area). Other nurses, techs on the day shift apparently didn't like the comment so reported it. The night shift supervising nurse(Nurse XX) told the night shift nurses who were supervising Night Shift Nurse A: "you'd better nip this in the bud, and talk with Nurse A, or I will crawl so far up your ass you won't know what bit you!" Of course NO ONE would EVER report Nurse XX for her abusive language because she's in management...(and if someone DID report her, it would get back to her and she would retaliate in some way.)but this goes to show you how our "managers" manage through fear and threats. It's unprofessional, rude, uncalled for.

I hope you're able to find another job. It does sound like a toxic work environment. So many of us are stuck in such areas due to the economy or to our close proximity to retirement that we'd rather stay, and go home to vent, kick the dog, yell at our spouses, take anti-depressants, antianxiety meds than go through the trouble of trying to find another job. Life is hard enough; we should NOT have to put up with abusive "managers" but in this economy, there isn't much choice.

[Jayesse7]

I'm very curious about this.I'd like to hear/read the details of what you are being criticised about. It is unfortunate that you find yourself in such a difficult working environment. Definitely you have not had enough orientation in 6 shifts. My facility also kind of throws new folks "out there" too but the rest of us are very supportive and try to be helpful.

Two things to keep in mind: Cliche as it may sound you've surely heard it said; "Nurses eat their young". I deeply disagree with the notion but have found it is common for whatever reason (probably insecurity and personal unhappiness) for older seasoned and (obviously bitter) nurses to be less than supportive/helpful to new ones. BUT not everyone is that way. Do your best and ask for help. Find good people to befriend.

Secondly, don't get too sucked in by the negative venting and "beware of the administration" warnings that the senior employees can dish too much about. Like rumors, the stories can cause you unnecessary worry and may not have that much truth in them. I remember being very fearful of who to trust and who had it out for me when I started. Probably it is a little bit that way whenever you start a new job. If you are really unhappy then I agree with the others, you should leave. Life is too short to hate your job. BUT if you like what you do then look at each individual circumstance and think about solutions. Do you feel unwelcome? Talk to people. Why are they making you feel like they are against you? Is it a misunderstanding? If you are making mistakes ask for more time with a preceptor. Show that you are trying to understand. Psychnursing is hard and there's so much about it that gets better with experience and confidence in yourself.

And lastly... I think that most institutions are kind of 'all about money'. Sadly. When you are working on the floor, in the trenches, most of the administrative decisions seem ridiculous and defy logic and common sense. We're all frustrated by that. If you are not, then you will go into administration yourself one day, where its about money and politics. :) Good luck. Keep talking it out.

[stella2blue]

Trust your intuition, sometimes we find ourselves wandering down a narrow, dangerous path....Keep your head up and dont ever give up! Maybe this is'nt the right place for you, keep looking and be positive!