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?
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.
This is what I usually do. I Don't get involved in something that has nothing to do with me or in something that I don't like where it's going. :)
Specializes in Plastics. General Surgery. ITU. Oncology.
Nurses are their own worst enemies at times. All the gossiping and backbiting that goes on. I've encountered it on every single ward or unit I've ever worked on.
Take no notice. It's your patients that matter and if they are happy with your care then who cares about the tongue-wagging gossips?
Hang on in there :)
"The martyr sacrifices themselves entirely in vain. Or rather not in vain, for they merely make the selfish more selfish, the lazy more lazy and the narrow more narrow"-Florence Nightingale
Thank you for all the comments about gossip. I understand that it happens everywhere. I didn't mean for gossip to be the main focus.
The main problem I'm having is people doing the minimal amount to get the job done. I know that happens in all professions, but as a new nurse, I feel uncomfortable in this situation. I feel that I'm in a tough spot. There's no one that I can talk to about this in my current position. We have a lot of agency and on-call nurses filtering through the facility as well.
I hope this isn't happening everywhere. I'm pursuing my BSN, so that I can get a job in a hospital in 2 years. Any advice you can give about this topic would be appreciated.
Specializes in Plastics. General Surgery. ITU. Oncology.
This sounds harsh as I realise you are concerned about all patients but just concentrate on the ones assigned to you.
You cannot possibly do a good job caring for your own caseload and worrying about patients not assigned to you. If you flag it up your colleagues will just resent you and it won't improve the situation.
If you could find SPECIFIC instances of things not being done fair enough. But just complaining that your colleagues are "lazy" is asking for trouble.
Different folk work in their own ways that might not be your way. Unless things are being missed or patient care is comprimised then I guess there isn't much to be done.
I'm in an area that is saturated with nursing schools. I'm lucky to have a job at this point since I don't have previous healthcare experience. I've been in this position almost a year. It has gotten progressively worse.
Take a book to work and immerse yourself in it while on your break. Be polite to your coworkers but let them know via your words and actions that you are not interested by not engaging them.
there's going to be gossip and back stabbing no matter what unit you go to. of course, you're going to meet people you enjoy working with and those you can't stand. really, you just need to focus on yourself and your patients and forget about the naysayers. my philosophy is that no one is worth my peace of mind or my paycheck. best of luck honey. :)
:lol2:
healthstar, BSN, RN
1 Article; 944 Posts
This is what I usually do. I Don't get involved in something that has nothing to do with me or in something that I don't like where it's going. :)