How to overcome low morale in my dream workplace

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Hi everyone,

Since age 7, I've wanted to be a nurse an an emergency room. Well....after 5 years of nursing, I obtained a job in just that area. I have been extremely excited to learn new aspects of nursing and be able to be front line for people who enter our ER. I just started and am on my 4th day. So far, so good. However, EVERY single day, ALL day long, EVERY nurse complains about how they hate their jobs in the ER. They talk about how it's horrible, how they are all applying for other jobs and how the staff has all quit over the past few months. I usually don't let he opinion of others bother me and surely do not let it change my own opinion. However, I'm quite vulnerable as a new ER nurse and I have to say, it's really bothering me. I question whether I made the right decision. This was my dream but others around me are so discouraging and are constantly putting a damper on my dream and it is seriously every nurse, every day, all day long. It's quite tiring.

Does anyone have any ideas how to overcome this so that I can continue learning in a good, supportive environment?

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I think you need to take people's complaints with a large grain of salt, and keep an open mind. It's way too early to worry whether you made the right decision and it would be foolish to allow yourself to be sucked into others' drama. Yes, it could be a bad place to work, but it also might simply be a reflection of bad attitudes. There's just no way to know yet.

In the meantime, try to find a mentor with at least a neutral attitude and learn everything you can. I think it was Gandhi who said "Be the change you want to see in the world." It's not the usual thing, but maybe YOUR positivity will catch on. Good luck!

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The LTC facility in which I worked was also like this, and it was hard to maintain a positive attitude when everyone around me was so very negative. The saying "It is what it is" was repeated over and over and finally I spoke up and said "No, it is what you make it!" They had not looked at it this way. I think sometimes we feel so very powerless to change things that we just don't even try. You can be the change agent even though you may be the new comer, you may be what they need to see the positive. Try some team building strategies/activities. At first they will complain that they do not have time for that etc. I started a "super star" bulletin board on my unit and every person who worked on the unit did something to earn a star. I used star shaped post-its and would put the staff member's name on the star and what they did to be a super star. There are always staff who go above and beyond, so it was not hard for them to earn a star. When it came down to the staff who were not over achievers, I would put one star up for when they did something outside of their normal. Like gave a hug to a family member etc. It can be something very simple that they just do not see or realize how much it adds to the running of the unit. I don't know how steady the staff is in the ER, this is easier to do with a regular staff members. You can google "Team Building" and all kinds of things will come up. Good luck!!

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Well, if they are all actively seeking other employment, hopefully before too long there will be a new group who is less jaded.

The ER can burn one out pretty quickly. Often, it only takes one person to start "this is such a suckfest" line of talk and everyone jumps on board. The only thing you can do is say "I am fortunate, love this, so far so good" and do your thing. It is ok to like what others do not.

Be sure your life is full of what you love outside of the ER. When you leave, leave it at the door--and go do what makes you happy. This is a good way to avoid burnout.

You have been a nurse. You know how you practice and how you are supposed to practice. Do your thing, and let the others do theirs. Some people just are not happy no matter what...

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Specializes in public health.

Switch to a different facility or you can try out Doctors without Borders (I think their ER is wayyyy intense than the U.S. ER and you would gain a lot of experience).

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Thanks everyone! Once again today, it was the same thing. I have not met one staff person who doesn't absolutely hate their job. Just found out today that my preceptor will be leaving next schedule. In fact....my entire shift except for one person is leaving the next schedule.....so it will be me and one other person...who is a new grad and has been off of orientation for three weeks. A doc even said to my preceptor....has she met anyone yet that likes their job here? Like I said, I have never been someone to let others influence my thoughts or feelings but I think because my heart is really set on this job (and it has been for years) that it is really taking a toll on me. I'm an extremely positive person...I just hope like jadelpn said......maybe a new crew will come in and be much more energetic!

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Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

Being positive is great, but such a huge and rapid turnover appears worrying. Keep your eyes and ears open would be my suggestion. Sounds like a lot may have gone on in the past that you aren't privy to. You can't control other people, so model the positivity you would like to see. Sometimes negativity can be catchy in a group, perhaps that it what you're seeing. But again, I would be positive with my eyes and ears WAY open because something doesn't seem quite right with such unhappy coworkers. Keep in mind that ER may be totally right for you, but maybe this isn't the right place because of management, etc.

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Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.
The LTC facility in which I worked was also like this, and it was hard to maintain a positive attitude when everyone around me was so very negative. The saying "It is what it is" was repeated over and over and finally I spoke up and said "No, it is what you make it!" They had not looked at it this way. I think sometimes we feel so very powerless to change things that we just don't even try. You can be the change agent even though you may be the new comer, you may be what they need to see the positive. Try some team building strategies/activities. At first they will complain that they do not have time for that etc. I started a "super star" bulletin board on my unit and every person who worked on the unit did something to earn a star. I used star shaped post-its and would put the staff member's name on the star and what they did to be a super star. There are always staff who go above and beyond, so it was not hard for them to earn a star. When it came down to the staff who were not over achievers, I would put one star up for when they did something outside of their normal. Like gave a hug to a family member etc. It can be something very simple that they just do not see or realize how much it adds to the running of the unit. I don't know how steady the staff is in the ER, this is easier to do with a regular staff members. You can google "Team Building" and all kinds of things will come up. Good luck!!

Not to be a "negative Nelly" but a Super Star bulletin board would feel condescending to me.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I think you need to take people's complaints with a large grain of salt, and keep an open mind. It's way too early to worry whether you made the right decision and it would be foolish to allow yourself to be sucked into others' drama. Yes, it could be a bad place to work, but it also might simply be a reflection of bad attitudes. There's just no way to know yet.

In the meantime, try to find a mentor with at least a neutral attitude and learn everything you can. I think it was Gandhi who said "Be the change you want to see in the world." It's not the usual thing, but maybe YOUR positivity will catch on. Good luck!

THIS.

What YOU make of your career is what YOU make of it...find ways to harness the positive side, and ask questions of what nurses would like to see happen, and see what you can do about it.

Just because you are new doesn't mean that you can't advocate for your peers while you are learning-it's a VERY important part of what we do. :yes:

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You are not IN a good supportive environment. This level of discontent is most likely due to problems with management/administration, not ER nursing itself.

File their gripes in the back of your head. Focus on what you need to learn.

As the politics play out, you will realize what YOU need to do.

Good luck, you can do this.

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Well, if they are all actively seeking other employment, hopefully before too long there will be a new group who is less jaded.

The ER can burn one out pretty quickly. Often, it only takes one person to start "this is such a suckfest" line of talk and everyone jumps on board. The only thing you can do is say "I am fortunate, love this, so far so good" and do your thing. It is ok to like what others do not.

Be sure your life is full of what you love outside of the ER. When you leave, leave it at the door--and go do what makes you happy. This is a good way to avoid burnout.

You have been a nurse. You know how you practice and how you are supposed to practice. Do your thing, and let the others do theirs. Some people just are not happy no matter what...

"suckfest" ... my new favorite word! :roflmao:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The LTC facility in which I worked was also like this, and it was hard to maintain a positive attitude when everyone around me was so very negative. The saying "It is what it is" was repeated over and over and finally I spoke up and said "No, it is what you make it!" They had not looked at it this way. I think sometimes we feel so very powerless to change things that we just don't even try. You can be the change agent even though you may be the new comer, you may be what they need to see the positive. Try some team building strategies/activities. At first they will complain that they do not have time for that etc. I started a "super star" bulletin board on my unit and every person who worked on the unit did something to earn a star. I used star shaped post-its and would put the staff member's name on the star and what they did to be a super star. There are always staff who go above and beyond, so it was not hard for them to earn a star. When it came down to the staff who were not over achievers, I would put one star up for when they did something outside of their normal. Like gave a hug to a family member etc. It can be something very simple that they just do not see or realize how much it adds to the running of the unit. I don't know how steady the staff is in the ER, this is easier to do with a regular staff members. You can google "Team Building" and all kinds of things will come up. Good luck!!

I applaud your efforts. However, giving somebody a gold star in an already angry bunch of hard nosed ER personnel... is going to inflame the situation.

A manager approached me about using this concept ( in an ICU). My response was.. "You mean if I get 5 gold stars, I get more recess time ? " She got the drift. Glad it's working in your facility... I find the idea demeaning.

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