How do you handle bullying

jo1010 · Oct 28, 2012

Here is my share of something I have experienced. I just changed my job from a job that I really loved, manager was wonderful and I really miss her, but (I work in ICU) the unit was not challenging enough for me. I am planning to apply next year to CRNA program and I need a solid ICU experience. I went to one of the best (if not the best) hospitals in my state and got shocked. I never expected bullying from a management. Well the immediate manager was on vacation when I got off the orientation, but the unit coordinator and nurse educator (people that should support me at that difficult time for me) started their bullying. Not even one time any of them asked how I am doing. It is a big trauma unit, I was given only 3 weeks (9 days) orientation (I came from not very acute community ICU) so basically many things were new to me. They tested me by giving me each day heavy assignment. If i was able to handle it, I got even heavier assignment the next day. I was told by a nurse assistant they do it to every new nurse. The nurse assistant told me, if someone is not able to handle the assignment, the nurse will be labeled incompetent. So far I had no problem with the assignments, although I have to admit I was sweating my ass many times. Never heard even a "good job" kind of thing. I am waiting for the main manager to come back from vacation, I need to evaluate what she will tell me and how she really is. I will be out without blinking if the manager is also that way. I also noticed a high turnover in that ICU. I have to say I asked during the interview what's the turnover rate in the ICU, and I was lied. I have 1 full time job (this one) and 2 per diems and I have never seen anything like this. I DID see bullying from other coworkers, but I approach them individully if needed and the case is solved. With the management you can't win. Life is too short to deal with such a crap. I will give myself some more time and I am most likely out.

Also, the manager during the interview told me she is affraid to hire me because I have so many jobs that she is concerned I will leave after I get training in that ICU. Since the hospital as a facility and Trauma Center has a great reputation I told her I am looking forward to consider this place as my final destination, but at this point I am really confused. Why people that are responsible for recruiting, orienting newly hired nurses don't try to retain these employees? What is the sense of even hiring them if most likely they will leave?

I have to add that I was hired for a night shift, but I was asked (if I could, and I agreed) to work first 3 weeks on days as they are very understaffed. I agreed, unfortunately. No support from other nurses. One day I was hanging 6 units of blood transfusion to my 2 pts and nobody even asked how I am doing or if I need any help. As soon as they see my blood approaching, they spread like cockroaches, because they didn't even want to hang it with me. I am the kind of person that doesn't ask for help, I am assuming you see me running around and sometimes there is NO reason to ask me if I need help, because it is obvious. Nurses just sit and keep on texting at the nursing station. I never ask to help anyone either, I just go and help if I see someone is busy. I just don't understand some individuals' way of thinking. I caught few nurses rolling eyes on me.

guest03/25/17 · Sep 19, 2016

I am finding the same treatment at the moment on a cardiac ICU. have you left yet or are you staying?

Nurse_JackieVA, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2016

I came from a critical care floor in a level 1 trauma hospital from another state to a step down with less acute patients - was given only 9 days of orientation then thrown into the fire. I was able to handle the patient load but was ridden by management and the other staff.

The only support I got was from my preceptors, when I saw them, but I literally hated my job. Daily nasty-grams via email about what I missed on my charting - things the CNA should also be charting but as the nurse I'm responsible. Never heard anything good about my patient care or how my patients appreciated the work I was doing for them - the patients would tell me and I know they told the bosses during their multiple rounds during the day but they didn't care. They just wanted to bust me for not having a sign up or missing a sticker on some new tubing I just hung up.

The stress became so much that I was actually in the ED for CP and when I called out the charge asked if I was still coming into work...yeah last straw. I was done after that.