Hazing

Personally, I have not had this experience. I have worked at three hospitals in OB and have had good experiences at all three--especially with the night crew. I have found the nights where I have been to be more relaxed and tolerant and easy-going. Please don't paint L&D nurses with such broad strokes. Maybe you do need to find another place for your own well-being. Or maybe you just haven't worked with the right combo of people yet? I know there are different combos I have better days or nights with than others.

Now that I am at a teaching hospital, I know that it is a different practice with its own issues. I was an experienced L&D nurse coming in and was also sometimes treated like I knew nothing. I have smiled and nodded and moved on. Things have gotten better. Do your own thing, ask lots of questions--OB can be very different from med/surg and the appraoch to patients is different. Keep that in mind. Go to classes and read some books--join AWHONN. Knowledge is power.

Ok, back to the original subject, here . . .

I agree with what one of the other posters said (as far as already knowing something when they try to teach it to you): smile and nod. Chances are, they are only trying to help you. And you never know - you may learn a new technique one day?

However, I also do need to counter that and say the following:

I am new to nursing and to L&D. There are some nurses (both days and night shift) that will say things like, "Can I show you a trick I learned?" And then there are others that will be very belligerent and say "you shoulda done ___" and go into your patient rooms and belittle you and treat you like you're an idiot. I think it boils down to insecurities on their part and they must try to assert their place in the pecking order. You know females are very territorial in general; I don't think that can be acredited to nursing only.

Bottom line, if you're happy where you are BG, then stick it out and see what happens. If not, as you know, experienced nurses are always in demand. Keep your chin up, and good luck.

Self-assertion is key in any area of nursing, I have learned. OB is no different. Units do differ, some are more "cliquey" than others. I have found if I keep my focus on my job, have impecable integrity and do things right---and stay out of the gossip mill----I have no problems fitting in any place I choose to work. Also, try never to take criticisms personally, simply learn from them and move on. Stay FOCUSED and quit worrying what they may be saying about you. If you are assertive, hard-working, have integrity and stay focused on the job, you will be ok in most places.

If a place is truly toxic, having severe problems you can't overcome,in all likelihood, you need a new job, because you won't be able to fix a truly toxic environment single-handedly. For your preservation, dont' work in toxic workplaces, if you can at all help it.

Good luck to you.

And yes, let's keep this topic in focus and refrain from using inflammatory words/language, please.

As a newer night labor nurse, I will have to agree that there is a certine extent of "abuse". I never expeienced these things being described. I was made to feel like I didn't know anything. If this is a true issue of nurses eating thier young, then the cultural comments are non factoral. I suggest you roll with the punches, I realize you do have experience but there are things to be learned that you won't want learn alone (hopefully) Don't let them run you down, but do allow them to teach you. Sometimes that means bitting your tounge and saying thank you instead of I already knew that. When I am orienting a new ob nurse I feel like it is my utmost responsibility to the pateint to ensure that the nurse is competent to care for them, depsite the nurses' feelings. sorry if that is eating your young. Just hang in there, you will do fine.