Hostile work enviornment; need advice

[Nursesuzi]

Help!

I'm a fairly new grad. Been out of school about 18 months. this is my second job. First was right out of ADN program to L&D. Was working nights and long story short I couldn't hack it (combined with divorce, death of a parent, single mom). So a friend recommended me for my current job in a outpatient PACU. With virtually no med/surg or PACU experience, I was shocked but elated when they offered me the job. No nights, weekends or holidays. GREat pay. Been there about 9 months. I work .6 making the same salary as I did full time in L&D/nights.

Seems dreamy, huh? Well here's the deal. I am the only new grad in the group of 13 nurses. Every one works .6 or less. Plus many per diems. Most have at least 10 years ICU, CC or ER experience. Most of my fellow nurses are very friendly; some actually mentoring, but most are very resentful that I am there due to my inexperience (I didn't do my time on a MS unit or work CC like they did).

I had my review yesterday (a written, peer review by all 13 nurses; standard in this facility) and most said they were frustrated regarding my lack of knowledge and questions regarding basic nursing skills (IV's, irrigating a foley, EKG's). They didn't understand why my mgr. hired me when there are tons of experienced nurses avail. One even said she didn't feel safe closing with me. OK, I know I'm new, but I am not incompetant. I do everything I can do to learn new skills, ask tons of questions (it probably frustrates them). I"m not one of those "know it all newbies". I'm 40 years old, I have some common sense. Another nurse said I'm not helpful to other RNs. If you knew me, you'd know this was untrue. I'm the new kid on the block, I am always offering my self to the other nurses. I know how to play the game, believe me. Short of ***-kissing, I do what I can to prove myself. That's just some of the negative comments. I knew my review would be poor reflecting my inexperience but the hostility and resentment conveyed by my manager (of my fellow nurses) was really shocking to me. Basically, they want me out.

I might want to add that the last two hires (despite their 20+ years experience) also got hazed for other reasons. Both left crying after their reviews. Two previous employees were actually harrassed by two RNs who didn't like them and quit. Can you say hostile work environment?

My mgr. suggested I prove myself by asking everyone to let me care for their patients if it's a new case I'm unfamiliar with, taking some CE courses where ever I could, etc. Do what ever I can to up my skill level and prove to them I'm more experienced. And basicially kiss up. It's as if it's a strict sorority I have to be hazed thru to enter.

So, some of you may say leave this place. I just can't. The pay and hrs. are too good and I feel on principle I can't leave. Any tips on survival in this situation? Please don't say go work on a MS floor. I can't (due to childcare limitations).

[AtlantaRN, RN]

I'm so sorry that some small minded and insecure nurses are giving you a hard time...

It's hard to be the new nurse in a mix of sharks...

Hang in there!

linda

[marcrn]

It absolutely true - Nursing DOES eat it's young. :angryfire Hang in there, sooner or later they'll tire of the game or a another newbie will be hired.

If that happen, just remember how you were treated ....

[Keysnurse2008]

when is your next review?make a list of all the ones who hazed you....and if this peer review is an annual type eval...child ....prepare.....for theirs.you have been there long enough to look thru that chart for errors....their errors. orders not signed off?- write down the time date and mr# ( since this is for peer review you are allowed to do this as long as those #s never leave your work site). keep these to your self.......just in case.you could use them at your next review or ...maybe theirs.

my best suggestion is not to try to "cozy up" to the ones who treated ya like this.reconize them for what they are. so...insecure about theirself they have to make you feel bad.reconize your mentors and tell them "i really appreciate you showing me that....or telling me that! seriously thank you!!!!"it reinforces one that you appreciate them and reconize they are taking time away from other things just to mentor you on topics".dont bad mouth the ones who trashed you...it will only bring you down to their level and you dont want to be there. everyone probably knows who and "how" they are.but...i would suggest one thing.....when they are around make sure to be discussing with your mentor ( loud enough 2b overheard easily) how much you love your job, and that this was the best decision you ever made to accept that position.tell her you need to go into the benefits office and increase your retirement contribution...bc its such a great plan and you just "know" you will never leave bc you have found the perfect job you have "always" wanted.........................this ..................child................sends the message they might as well get use to ya...bc you arent going anywhere!dont even try to talk to them...let them come to you when they need help and they will.also...be a team player....when they have busy admits coming in.....do something to help them get settled in quickly with the new patient. if they have to travel with their patient to a ct scan...do their meds due on the other patient they have etc etc....

[JentheRN05, RN]

Well I was recently in a similar although still different situation. My review, including peer review was spotless, glowing shiny in fact. 2 months later I get written up for the opposite end of the spectrum from what the shining happy review sad. Where does that add up? It doesn't. I realize you can't quit your job, but the people in my peer review that gave me the shiny responses, saying things like a 'truly caring nurse' & 'she'll go a long way because she truly cares about her patients' & 'I get compliments all the time for her from her patients' and I was written up because I supposedly 'refused to turn a patient at the end of shift and told them they will have to wait until next shift gets there'

Does that sound like hazing to you? Well, apparently I rubbed a few people the wrong way, unbeknownst to me - apparently I'm guessing because patients actually began to REQUEST me for their nurse. In either case, that writing up episode made me realize that I was simply in the wrong place. If the people I work with wanted a team member that truly cared about their patients, they 1. wouldn't have written me up for something totally different than is true. and 2. would still have me there.

It's not the case, because as soon as they shot at my integrity and compassion in my nursing care, I shot back with two words.

I QUIT. This business of backstabbing your co-workers is for the birds. Thankfully I have another job where I am TRULY appreciated for what I do, and am capable of. And you bet your behind that I will hold onto this job for all it's worth (which isn't much, at the very least I'm taking a $6/hr paycut for this job). But the fact that I AM appreciated and cared for in this new job makes all the difference in the world. Not to mention the hours are better too. Days instead of nights :)

Jen

[steelcityrn, RN]

I will agree with the nurses in that not having experience in icu, ccu or er is needed in pacu. Try to hear what they are actually saying. They seem very concerned for patient safety. The skills you are lacking come from years of experience. Some of these can not be taught over night. I understand the hours are great for you, but remember that these nurses are not going to hold your hand and go down with you when you fall. They are going to stand together and say " this nurse was not experiences for this job".

[llg, PhD, RN]

It absolutely true - Nursing DOES eat it's young. :angryfire Hang in there, sooner or later they'll tire of the game or a another newbie will be hired.

If that happen, just remember how you were treated ....

You're right. I recommend that the OP do her best to give good patient care ... address any areas of weakness ... and keep a low profile. Don't stir things up. The probably won't fire her unless she does something wrong clinically and/or stirs up additional political problems. And eventually, they will let her alone as they move on to other people and other issues.

llg

[RNOTODAY, BSN, RN]

Prove yourself to the other nurses?????? Bull. You dont work for them. You work for your patients,and you report to your manager. If you can hang in there, and face these witches everyday, stay in there, and kill them with kindness every single day. They are jealous as hell that you got in there when you did when 20 years ago they had to "pay their dues" as they call it. Well, wake up people, nursing has changed a whole lot since they went to school and got their first job. You were hired, Your competent. Everybody who is new, no matter where they worked or for how long, needs to learn. My opinion, they are jealous, and afraid YOU will find fault with their work habits.

Dont you dare do anything to prove your self to them, aside from doing your job and doing it well. Who the hell are they? The fact that your mgr even mentioned that, sounds funny to me. If you can, get your experience, find a similar opportunity, and get outta there, but not before you learned all you can, and not because they "want you out". good luck....

[spidermonkey]

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