How Long Should I Give It

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I'm a relatively new nurse of approx. 1 year; I just switched hospitals for the first time. I loved the people at my first hospital but we were always short staffed and it got to be pretty dangerous. I switched to a larger ER that is better staffed but I don't like most of the people.

I have worked in other professions, other hospitals, and I understand professional behavior standards. I have *never* seen anything like this. I work nights and by 2 am the ER I work at tends to be pretty quiet. There are 8+ nurses on and not nearly enough work for all of us the majority of the time after it quiets down. But the hospital does not staff to have people go home at 0300, so we end up sitting around with very little to do.

This leads to a lot of gossip and really catty behavior. Badmouthing other nurses, the patient's, etc. Trying to decide on overtime shifts only to comment: "oh, I don't want to work with those nurses" because "they're weak". Insulting new nurses for not knowing enough/anything compared to them. It isn't a very supportive environment, to say the least.

There are nurses that aren't necessarily part of this, but its still making me feel hesitant to ask for help. Instead of supporting one another like my previous ER, now it feels like a minefield. If you admit you don't know something then the other nurses will start bad mouthing you.

My last shift one of the ER doctors started participating; the catty nurses asked him what he thought of certain nurses and he started gossiping with them.

I know I need to give it time, especially because 3 of the cattiest nurses are leaving, but it just feels like a dangerous/unsupportive environment. Any advice to hang in there? I already specifically try not to be "social" with people from work outside of work. I try not to be part of the "gossip sessions" and offer help to everyone. But because of this I am already wondering what they're saying about me behind my back.

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Hey, I think your doing a great thing by not joining the gossip! If they gossip half as much as you say they do, they're probably already talking about you. I put NOTHING pass those kind of people. So, with that being said You have nothing to lose. Even if they bad mouth you behind your back for asking for help or asking a question, guess what, YOU STILL WIN, you got the info you needed. Providing safe patient care is your goal. Definitely continue to be a team player, as this may help to sway them away from pouncing on your case. Such an environment can be harmful to one's mental health and general motivation, but hang in there :) Best of Luck

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