I don't know if it is just me, but I have noticed a change in people's attitudes toward me at work since I have been accepted into nursing school. I work in a place where there are CNA's, Medical Office Assistants, LPN's, RN's, EVERYBODY. I have worked with these people for over five years and I thought I had their support, but ever sense I told them my good news, I have noticed a change. I have caught people giving dirty looks and some people aren't even speaking to me anymore. I do my best not to talk about it, because I think it gets under some people's skin. Now don't get me wrong, there are people who I know are really happy for me and want to see me succeed, but what's the deal with everyone else?? I start school in August, I am so ready to go!! Give me some feedback on how you think I should handle this situation. My feelings are so hurt because I thought these were people who really loved and cared about me.
I'm the same way...I befriend everyone and dont think I am no better than the next!!! But what's that saying Medea say (Tyler Perry) ..."Some people come in your life for a season and you got to know when to let them go"!!
I ended up having to leave a job I'd been at for almost 3 years when I decided to go back to school (first for EMT and now for LVN)... I wanted to figure out a way to stay on part-time, but they weren't having it, and I was replaced. Since then, all of the people who said they were excited for me and would keep in touch, haven't. I truly think it's a case of frustration with themselves -- they're probably feeling stuck in a dead-end job, and are feeling a little envious that they haven't been brave enough to make that leap into living the life they've always wanted.
I've found, through many life changes I've made over the past 4 years, that sometimes people will shun you for your choices. And I don't let myself get too upset over it. It's a great way to find out who your true friends are, who truly loves you and who is proud of you and wants to watch you succeed.
Good luck to you and never, ever be afraid to pursue your dreams! You only get one life, might as well make it the one you want!
Specializes in Med/ Surg/ Telemetry, Public Health.
Oh I can so relate to you because when I was doing prereqs I worked in a medical facility like yours and I couldn't believe how the other PCT's were not talking to me or they would leave me out of personal conversations. I am currently starting the RN program and I no longer work there, but at the time I was I was in the LPN program. Don't let the haters get to you, you have worked hard taking your prereqs to get into nursing school. Continue working and going to school even people like your family members will be jealous. Good luck in your nursing journey.
OP, you have now entered "Adult World." You appear to be young and in youth everyone is equal and all have the opportunity to be whatever they want. Now, as adults, the real world hits you. You can not be "whatever you want," only what you are. At least, that is how most view it. Then there's you....all smart and hard working trying to improve yourself. You see, there's the rub....'If YOU do it, it proves that I COULD, IF I TRIED. Your success demonstrates either a flaw in me because I couldn't do it or shows up the fact that I'm not willing to put in the work necessary to "improve" or that I wouldn't do it. Either way, the more you shine, the more my flaws show up.' Again, not true, but how the immature see it. Those you are leaving behind will hate and they will wait and hope for you to fail. After all, 'who wants to be eventually taking direction from you!??!' Those where you are headed would like very much for you to know and stay in your place. 'Don't go around trying to improve. It might give others ideas.' Unfortunately there are people who like to see others fail and those who'd like to keep everyone else "below" them. Look for people who celebrate your choice and your obvious hard work. I wouldn't confront anyone with this, as they may not even realize they are doing it. Besides, they'll simply see it as you trying to "rub it in." Do your job, and enjoy this phase of your life. Your place of employment is where you go to earn a living, not to find friends. I hope you have a life outside of work. You'll find out who your friends are and that will simply your life tremendously.
another thing you learn in adult world is that for most of your working life, your coworkers are not your friends and they don't love and care for you. that doesn't mean they hate you or are trying to sabotage you, but it means that you are not that important to them. it doesn't mean you can't have a great time at lunch with them, or enjoy going out with the girls after work. it means that overall, work relationships are transient and not too many people get deeply invested in them for that reason.
Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.
That happened to be when I started last fall. It only comes from the minority in my situation, thank God. Some people truly are happy for you, but it manifests itself in a negative way. Many feel, even though they don't always realize/ admit to it, that you ate going off to better things and will forget people like them. Some are simply jealous or upset that your moving forward and accomplishing astonishing things. I think we sometimes I think we forget how many people say or wish they are going to be a nurse/ go to nursing school compared to the number of people that actually do it.
Despite what many say. Not just a tone and everyone can be a nurse, and I mean any type of nurse LPN, RN, and NP etc... That doesn't mean people aren't intelligent enough to do it however.
You are about to embark on a journey they many strive for, but not so many achieve. A journey that some dream of being able to make one day. Some are benignly envious and simply wish they had the situation to do what your doing right now.
Some people feel you will think your better than them, idk why. I guess from past experiences. Congrats none the less. You've made a huge accomplishment! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise! You are now on a path where continued excellence will be required and you will eventually accomplishing more and more as each semester passes and then the biggest accomplishment of the journey, becoming a licensed nurse!
Sorry to hear that!!! I'm going through the same thing right now. I work as a cna and I graduate from my RN program may 4 2013. People look at me differently and think that im better than them. The LPNs don't talk to me much lol. I had one situation when a nurse was asking a CNA for a skin assessment and she reported that the patient had a bruise but it was a hematoma so I told the nurse and the cna got upset but the nurse was impressed!! That cna never talked to me again lol. Don't worry about your haters. One day it will be you in charge taking care of them :)
it won't end in nursing school either. you'll regularly encounter the same behavior. from here on out, it is your responsibility to dedicate yourself to your education. dedicate yourself to learning. show up on time and prepared for class and clinicals. do your work. don't talk about others. don't waste precious time worrying about what others think or say about you. and, be forgiving when others are less than kind. "always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much." - oscar wilde.
not everyone will be as thrilled about your successes as you are. but, don't blame their behavior on jealousy. to do so lacks compassion. understand that usually when someone acts out in a negative way, it's not out of pure malice. you may have just triggered an insecurity. those who are now your peers may fear that you'll have no interest in them once you surpass them on the totem pole.
in nursing, you're going to have to be able to figure out why someone is feeling the way they do and how to fix it. don't read to much into what's going on but, having known these people for five years, you must have a clue what they are feeling. my hunch is they just need to know you appreciate them. writing someone a card that to thank them for the help they've given you along the way is always a good idea. i bet that's what they need...to know that you couldn't have done it without them.
you may not have a million friends and fans in your life. living your life in a way that demonstrates your dedication to your education and your compassion and regard for others will not only make you a great nurse.....
it may win you the respect of others.
personally, i would take respect of a few over friendship of many any old day.
Let Me start off by saying I am sorry that you are in that type of environment. I was in a nursing program before becoming ill. When I was first enrolled I worked at a nursing home and a hospital. I received an abundance of support. I was able to choose my own schedule and the nurses were willing to help me with all my class work on their lunch break, after work, and I could call on them at any time. It was great. I now live in a different state and I work at a nursing home with a young lady who has been accepted into a nursing program. I must admit I HATE WORKING WITH HER!! Before you call me a HATER I need you all to understand why. She is currently a CNA and since being enrolled in the program she creates an environment that is almost unbearable. At times she works out of her current scope of practice which creates an unsafe situation for the coworkers and the residents. When she goes to a nurse to inquire about something she is confused about in school an argument is always the result because she attempts to challenge every answer they give her. She comes off as a know it all instead of attempting to gain knowledge from those that are already nurses. She believes that the nurses can learn more from her because what they(nurses) learned so long ago has changed. Every time We are in a pre-shift meeting we spend 10 minutes listening to her attempting to reassign task delegated by the nurses. When we are on the unit together and the nurse gives us a list on U/A specimens she wants to go through the list and demands a reason for each specimen, "How long has the resident been confused? Who ordered the lab? Why didn't the previous shift obtain the specimen?" .... I could go on and on about all of the things she does....I just needed to give you all a different perspective. Not all people are haters. Sometimes it's just hard to deal with a person that acts as if they need no support at all.
It may not be you..... It may just be from a bad previous experience they have had.
Wow I would hate that also! Being in nursing school doesn't give anyone the right to challenge their nurse if they are clearly wrong or practice outside their scope as a CNA. I'm Sorry about that.....
When I was in school, I worked for a company that was great about working with me on my school schedule. I worked part time and odd hours. Other employees always made snide remarks and such. But really, they were getting full time hours, benefits, and making more money that I was. And, they were free to go back to school any time themselves.
Same thing happened to me. I had an employee get mad and say, "You choose to go to school, so they should't work around your hours". Meanwhile, I was making $7.25 at a dead end job. It made logical sense to be in college. I just said, "Girl please, you can have this minimum wage and no benefits" and kept doing my job. Two years later I graduated. This is 8 years later, and everytime I go into my old job I see the same people are still there making pennies and looking miserable. Some people are just stuck in their ways, I guess. And gosh forbid you get off the hamster wheel with them, they act "funny". I just keep moving on with my goals.
RNnme3j
62 Posts
I'm the same way...I befriend everyone and dont think I am no better than the next!!! But what's that saying Medea say (Tyler Perry) ..."Some people come in your life for a season and you got to know when to let them go"!!