How do you deal with a toxic workplace?

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I'm a relatively new nurse (about a year in). Fresh out of school I applied and got offered a job at a facility that we had done clinicals at. It is excellent money but it's taking a toll on my mental (and physical) health. I find myself getting absolutely sick the second I think about work. I recently got moved to another unit within the facility and the staff there are just absolutely mean and backstabbing. Department of health is in at almost a weekly basis for family complaints, staff reports, ect. We recently got a new DON in who plays favorites and is always scapegoating other employees. It's just all getting to be too much. this past week, department of health was in on a legitimate family complaint and my DON and risk manager called in all of the employees and instructed us on what to say. Thankfully the guy never spoke with me but that was the last straw. I'm currently seeking employment elsewhere and have a few interviews lined up. But in the meantime, how do I even begin to deal with this kind of place? I'm so beyond stressed out.

Get a new job NOW! No paycheck is worth the toll a toxic environment can (and will) take on you. You can't change others, you can only change yourself and no way can you change yourself enough to survive in an environment like that. Besides, if the state is in their so often, the facility will get an IJ and heads will roll. (I've seen this first hand).

Find a new job. There are some good LTC facilities (if you want to stay in LTC), and there are other jobs that might be stressful but shouldn't make you physically ill. Don't let this sour you to the profession either. My first job was in a LTC facility that did get an IJ, heads did roll and it got so bad, 5 of us quit the same week. Best thing I ever did!

That is true. NO job is worth the stress the damage to your well being. Sometimes you have to know that a job or workplace is not a good fit for you. I worked for a place for 13yrs, the first 10 were pretty good, but the last 3 a nightmare. I think back now and can't believe I put up with it for 3 years. We need to love ourselves more. BETTER THINGS AWAIT YOU!!! Good luck!

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Just get yourself free. Hop on the bus Gus. just drop off the key Lee and get yourself free lol

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I left a toxic work environment last year. When I gave my notice, those Bozos had the nerve to tell me me the grass might not be greener on the other side. They were WRONG! I am so much happier now and have a wonderful boss and coworkers. Make the change and be happy! Good luck!

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Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

This might not be the best advice depending on your situation, but I LEAVE. I never stay in environments like that, nursing is hard enough and the last thing I need is to deal with nurses treating each other poorly. I have never had an issue getting another job and I always give appropriate notice based on facility policy.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

It really can be difficult to find a good work environment, though some are worse than others. If you find one that is "okay", that may be the best you get. Good luck with your next one!

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It's hard to say

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There's nothing to can do to change a toxic work place. The only thing you can do is leave, so long as it doesn't damage your own job viability.

I was once in a toxic HOSPITAL and I started to develop a bad reputation among the nurses, so they just decided to run me out of there on a rail. Luckily, I was able to resign right at the moment before they tried to fire me, but it was so damaging to my morale as a nurse. I honestly, didn't think I could hack it at another job and I knew in my heart that I was actually fired.

Still, I kept my head up and almost immediately landed a MUCH better job. Better pay, MUCH happier floor and staff, a very respected hospital (the last one was kind of a joke) and I was actually appreciated there. At my new job I florished and even won a couple awards for good patient care.

So it goes to show how much of an impact a toxic place can have on you and your job. I would say, so long as you aren't hoping from job to job and you really do owe it to yourself to leave bad floors and find something better. Sometimes the grass IS greener on the other side!

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Before you leave make an anonymous phone complaint to JACO, OSHA and any other regulatory agency you can notify and have them do an audit.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Thank you all so much for your advice. I really appreciate you all taking the time to respond to my little whine fest. I recently got offered a FT position at our hospital (which is ideally where I wanted to be) and I begin in a week and a half. I realize that every place is going to have stressors and nothing will be perfect no matter where I go. I've just found my current place to be absolutely unbearable. I am not the type of girl to cry and I find myself in tears every single night I leave that place. So I'm finally going to be free!

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Congratulations! Glad you're getting away. :)

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.
How did I deal? I left. ONE person cannot change a toxic workplace.

No but all it takes is one person to make one. Im trying to figure out how to get that one to leave now ha.

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