Help! I'm frustrated with the people I work with.

[RoseCity]

Recently I have been dreading going to work. The people I work with talk about each other. There's a lot of gossip going around. It seems as though most do the minimum to get by. I'm a really hard worker and am very organized. I get frustrated when I'm put in the position of having to do extra to make things run smoother.

I have been applying for other positions, but since I'm an ADN in an area saturated with nursing schools, I've not had much luck. I'm pursuing my BSN, but I won't have for another 2 years.

I'm trying to stay positive, but it's been really difficult. I don't want to quit without getting a new job, but getting a new job is the problem. Any suggestions?

[icuuci]

suck it up

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

Changing positions won't help as much as you'd probably like. Gossip and a "minimalistic" approach to nursing are going to exist pretty much anywhere you go. Granted, its to different degrees on different units but, you'll never be completely free of it.

Just don't allow yourself to become part of the game. Don't add to it, eventually people realize you are not into it and stop bringing it to you. Sounds like your pretty much already there. You said you stay busy and organized, so keep doing that. When "he said she said" starts coming up, put your nose to the grindstone even harder and don't participate.

You'd be surprised how much people will notice you don't get involved.

[caliotter3]

I agree totally with both previous posts. I would not continue looking for another job unless something more drastic happens to make the present job unbearable. You will find the same behavior everywhere you go to one degree or another. There is no guarantee that it will not be worse at the next place. Deal with it where you are.

[lkwashington]

I agree with the above posts. The grass may be greener but it still have a septic tank. Just go to work, do you shift, do the best you can in your scope of practice. You may want to speak to your nurse manager about the situation and see how that works. If its only gossip just dont get in the middle of it. I seen places have their own clicks. If you not apart of the click you just not important but you are important to the patients. Good luck. Stay strong and wise.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Do your work. Focus on yourself.

NM the others.

[happy2learn]

Yep, gossip exists nearly everywhere in every field! My hubby works with all men in the kitchen of a high end restaurant, and sure enough, they gossip and backstab as well.

You have to find a way to not let it get to you. Gossip doesn't bother me anymore. I just don't care what people say. It will come back to bite them in the a** anyway.

[BackfromRetirement]

Agree with above posts. Gossip is part of most any office, business, or hospital facility.

[casi, ASN, RN]

Gossip is really everywhere. Just stay focused on your job and ignore the office gossip.

When it comes to it nursing is just a job. Sometimes it is best if you go to work do you job and go home.

[tencat]

suck it up

Ummmmm.......really not too helpful of a comment and rather juvenile.

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

Ummmmm.......really not too helpful of a comment and rather juvenile.

Whoa. People are fighting today. I better get out whilst I still have my head attached to my neck. Me scared.

[malem]

What area of the country are you in?

I agree that gossip is everywhere and I have worked in some horrible places. But I have also worked in some places where it wasn't that bad. The difficult part is that you won't know what it is like until you get in there. Can you look into other types of places where there isn't the opportunity for people to sit around and gossip.

I worked at a hospital where there were NO nurses stations. It was a new place,just built, and everything was done at the bedside. Every room had a small " nurses station" with a computer. There was a front desk for the unit secretary but that was it. There was no place to sit because they wanted you to keep moving. I never noticed much gossip there. There was just no place to sit and talk. I also worked at a LTC that was split up into "houses". The staff in each house was very small, sometimes only a nurse and a CNA and there was no opportunity for interaction between the houses. You stayed in your unit except for your own lunch break. The residents ate in their own "house" too. There was almost NO gossip there. We were so busy and it was more like a home type atmosphere. So there are places where it is not as bad.