Hate my job

Published

I got a job in the ER as a Student Nurse and was told how lucky I am because it's a trauma center and they're picky on who they hire. However, now that I've been there for a few months I find myself dreading going in. Everyone nit picks and criticizes me and what I'm doing without coming to me (I hear through the grape vine) On top of it I am being bullied by a tech who does things like takes my chair (the only chair at the nurses station where I have to be to do my job) and uses it to sit there and socialize. When I ask for it back he tells me I don't need it. I'm told to work faster. I'm told to slow down. I constantly hear people talking poorly about one another and are a completely different person to their face. I'm so torn about keeping this position. I really don't feel like I fit in and don't love being there, but hate to drop what I'm told is such a great opportunity. What should I do?

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Bring a chair of your own. Toughen up. Look for solutions. Stop taking everything personally. You would stop worrying about how people think of you if you realized how rarely they do.

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Ignore everyone and everything that doesnt come from your superior. People have 101 ways of doing everything and being the newbie theyre gonna wanna impart their ways to you. If it aint broke dont fix it. Work at the pace you feel most comfortable and can do your best work. Ignore and avoid the gossips and smile and walk away when you hear something you shouldnt.

Not sure how id deal with the chair situation. Tell him if hes gonna sit and do nothing do it in the breakroom while the rest of us on the clock do our jobs.

And if any/all of this seems too hard to do, quit/transfer.

People can say youre really lucky all they want, but if youre not feeling it, it really doesnt matter now does it? We spend too much time at work to be in an environment that makes us miserable

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Specializes in ICU.

Well, if you're a student nurse, just think about it this way - your time there is limited. You do not have to work there after you graduate, and this job is going to do wonders for your resume when you do. Even if they treat you like crap, you're the one who's benefiting from this job in the end.

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I wasnt sure how to take that line "got a job as a student nurse" im assuming theyre in a tentative nursing position pending them getting their license to be hired on as a full time nurse. At which case her position there would be more permanent than simply clinical time.

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nursing wisdom comes with time, right now your focus as a new nurse needs to be learning, gaining experience, etc. I agree with others- ignore anything that doesn't come from the boss.

one way to gain some rapport with these other people may be to say something like "hey...i like your approach on _____. when you get a chance could you show me your technique"...be it something like NG tubes, IVs, whatever. compliments mean a lot to nurses with experience. they want to know that they count, that they are needed and that their experience is respected.

i too worked in the ER setting as a GN and was miserable. i left there and went to a very small CCU in the same hospital and had the MOST amazing experiences. that made me find my love for cardiology, where i've been almost 20 years now. good luck!

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Specializes in ICU.
I wasnt sure how to take that line "got a job as a student nurse" im assuming theyre in a tentative nursing position pending them getting their license to be hired on as a full time nurse. At which case her position there would be more permanent than simply clinical time.

I was thinking it was an externship, but you're right, it's not clear. The hospitals around here have an externship or a "SNAP" - Student Nurse Apprentice - program where a student in the summer between his/her junior and senior years basically shadows a nurse for three months and helps out with CNA-type tasks. Pay is often much higher than regular CNA jobs, probably because the unit is hoping to hire the person on as a nurse after graduation in a year, and the high pay is a nice carrot to have the person come back the next year. I was thinking it was that type of position.

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Specializes in Tele, Cardiac Post Op, ER.

Life is too short, toxic work environments are the WORST, and you shouldn't have to deal with people's backstabbing, poor behavior, lack of respect for you since you are new. They hate themselves probably. Trust me, Ive worked in trauma for a while and having a rough environment will make you hate your job, your life, and everyone around you. You should not have to "toughen up". Thats ridiculous. Go find a place where you are appreciated.

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I am a new grad in the ER and i love it. I have been there for about 4 months, but I work in an incredibly supportive environment. I dont think I could handle the pressure of everything i don't know yet without that support. It sounds like you are not surrounded by supportive staff that want you to succeed. Are you on nights or days? Maybe switch to the opposite shift if possible. Keep in mind there will always be a few nurses on the unit that don't connect with you, thats ok, you can't make everyone happy. ER nurses are tough, we have to be inorder to be ready for whatever comes through the door. Thicken up your skin a bit and realize their behavoir is not all about you. Just worry about keeping your patients alive on your shift. You will get stronger, your skills will get better, and your timing will become faster. It just takes Practice.

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Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Life is too short, toxic work environments are the WORST, and you shouldn't have to deal with people's backstabbing, poor behavior, lack of respect for you since you are new. They hate themselves probably. Trust me, Ive worked in trauma for a while and having a rough environment will make you hate your job, your life, and everyone around you. You should not have to "toughen up". Thats ridiculous. Go find a place where you are appreciated.

Exactly! We get beat down enough in nursing school to last a lifetime. If the staff you're working with doesn't value you, you can take your skills elsewhere.

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Specializes in Hospice.
I wasnt sure how to take that line "got a job as a student nurse" im assuming theyre in a tentative nursing position pending them getting their license to be hired on as a full time nurse. At which case her position there would be more permanent than simply clinical time.

This was way back in 1978-79, but when I was in my Senior year, we could work at University affiliated hospitals as "Student Nurses", which basically meant we were Nurses Aides (no CNAs back then), but were also given opportunities to learn. We could only do it Senior year, because we had to have finished the rotation for the specialty we were working.

I was a Student Nurse in the ER of the children's hospital, and set up exam rooms, did vitals, took initial histories, assisted with triage, and learned a lot from observing procedures. I loved it.

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As a Student Nurse I am essentially a Unit Clerk and ER Tech rolled in to one, except that I can not do splints. My job duties include transporting patients, entering orders (labs and exams) in to the computer, doing ECG's and running nurse errands. I have had little opportunity to witness anything exciting and the person training me seems to be more interested in their social life than making sure I'm doing anything right. I do have a tough skin, but I'd really like it if I enjoyed my place of employment. Many of the nurses at this facility advise me not to stay but rather "look for something better" once I graduate. I really want to leave but am afraid I'll regret it.

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