I hope someone has advice for me

[nckdl]

I love my job and I love my residents, but I hate the people I work with. I transferred to another unit in a nursing home over a year ago and I am one of the youngest on this new unit. I also am the only nurse when I work so that makes me the big bad guy. Everyone on this unit is after blood and the fighting and the bickering is driving people away. This unit is know for getting people to quit or getting them fired if they don't like them and I have a feeling that I am on their list. When I first started as a nurse 4 years ago I made sure I didn't make friends with anyone I work with outside of work because I didn't want it to change how I worked with them, and then when i changed to this unit it seems that if i don't become friends with them that they are going to try to make me leave the unit. Everytime I have a day off I either get a call from the Don regarding something I supposedly said or I hear rumors about something I supposedly did or didnot do. I have talked with the higher ups and they are all aware of the problems but they don't seem concerned that the unit is falling apart. Any advice would be appreciated. Sorry this thread was so long. Thank you.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

get out of that place. don't put up with that .. you deserve to be treated better... nothing will ever change in that place and it's not worth the anxiety.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

Since you are the only nurse on duty there, you are the authority figure. This means that a large number of the people under you try to build themselves up by taking you down.

To some this is sport. ANd they are good at it. Anyone who accepts a position where they are put in a position of leadership or authority, and not "one of the group" puts themselves up for this problem. That is why many qualified nurses do not put in for charge nurse or unit manager etc. They do not want the giant bullseye on their back.

You must either leave the job/unit or establish some rules for the when they can contact you on your off time.

You must also develop a thick skin, and be very careful in your documentation etc, so that no one can find fault with you.

It sounds like you are up to the task, since you already made the wise decision to not try to be a "buddy" to the rest of the staff.

Try to make sure that you consistantly treat everyone the same, and not have favorites. That way you will win respect from the people who appreciate your fairness and ability to treat everyone equally.

[nckdl]

Thank you for the replies. When I started on the unit we had a unit manager until they took that position away and that left us the nurses to be the "supervisors" kind of. I love this job and it is 1st shift which is impossible to find in my town, I would hate to find another job and have to start all over on 2nd or 3rd shift. There is only 2 people on the unit that seem to be there for the residents and not to bicker and I thank god when it is my day to work with those two.

[deeDawntee, RN]

:yeahthat: that is excellent advice above. it sounds like a horrible situation that should not exist. the stress of being a good nurse to all your patients is difficult enough. do you feel like you want to leave?

i don't think i could handle it. there are facilities that have pleasant coworkers that are fun to work with, honest to god. get out of hell and go find paradise. (so to speak) of course, all places have their problems, but where you are at is far worse than it should be.

:heartbeat:heartbeat:icon_hug::icon_hug:

sorry you have to deal with that crap.