I'm not rude and assertive so I wouldn't survive at work...right?

[Back2Nursing09]

I meant "at work."Nurses eat their young and don't get along.So I heard...I don't let people walk over me,but I don't have a bad attitude if it's not called for.I'd have to really feel offended by someone to have one.So would I survive as a Nurse? The ideal work environment for me would be a comfortable one, where everyone collaborates in a friendly manner.I know this is a stereotype but sometimes,stereotypes could be true...Nurses,speak to me !

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I guess I'm not all that sure what the question is or if it's simply rhetorical....

But if this is a genuine question, and the question is: "do all nurses have to be rude and assertive to be successful?" well, the answer is no.

Assertiveness helps. Rudeness never does. I actually think that making an assumption that only rude nurses are successful is.....well....kind of rude.

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

I've never been rude and it offends me greatly when people choose not to be civil. Even in emergencies, there is no need to be rude. Firm, assertive, yes. Sarcastic, mean, no.

I hope no one has ever thought that I would "eat my young." I love teaching. I'm training a nurse right now. Granted, I'm not working in the ER or ICU, but I'm a school nurse. We have to be able to work independently, make critical decisions and be assertive with staff and parents without stepping on too many toes. So far, it's going well. Of course, the nurse who trained *me* was patient and kind with my fumbling around and mistakes, so I learned from a master.

I have worked at a few jobs that were cut-throat and it was very demoralizing. Some things can't be changed. I recognized with the job wasn't working and found something that did. The one bad job I stayed with just about killed me and nearly ruined nursing for me. I was out of work for a year recovering. But now I'm in a much better place and I love working there. So, there are good workplaces out there. You have to keep your eyes open.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Assertiveness is not necessarily rude.

I am assertive. I don't let people walk all over me. I am NOT rude. I DON'T "eat my young." I AM successful.

[rn/writer, RN]

I work on a postpartum unit with an all female staff (supposedly all female staff is very catty). We can have our sparky moments now and then--usually due to some kind of miscommunication--but, for the most part, we get along fairly well. In fact, if someone were to start acting toxic and witchy, I'm sure she'd be asked if she were okay.

I should mention that I work nights. Everywhere I have worked on noc shift, we were all pretty good to each other, bringing in treats and pitching in when someone's assignment went crazy. I think there's a mentality that on nights all we have is each other, so we have to stick together.

Best wishes in your quest.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

IME the more abrasive nurses are the ones who don't advance. And gripe and complain why they're not successful.

[regularRN]

I work day shift exclusively with ladies... there is no rudeness or over assertiveness. Actually, I feel privileged to work with this team of RNs. But I have also felt the same way in previous jobs. Most RNs/LPNs/CNAs are interested in doing their best for their patients rather than competing with each other. We all have our own strengths to bring to the table, which are primarily patient focused.

[1stloveistobeanurse]

When I first read this I wondered the same thing in myself so much to the point were I felt like if I didn't stay in my current job which was very abusive to the point of using profanity and constant backstabbing that I probably would not make it in nursing. However, I am starting to realize we must be careful who we speak to a unhappy nurse will fill your head with all the things that made them unhappy as oppose to advanciing and moving forward, thanks to this thread I am learning that for myself and I hope that I have the opportunity to work with professionals such as each of you

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

Is this a trick question? Will it be on the final? I don't understand what you want, have heard, or what the attitude is. Sorry, can't help you without further input.

[limey]

If a nurse is rude most times, then this nurse is most likely at times rude to patients or residents. It makes you wonder what the nurse is like to live with at home. Residents is LTC are already not happy about being there most times, so why be rude in front of them to make what life there is left miserable. It is so sad, when you think about it, that nursing has to be so stressful, which causes some of us to be a little rude or snap at someone.

I guess if it wasn't for all the politics and that facility rules and policies applied the same for everyone, no matter who they are, we would be a more kind profession.

[Patricia B, RN]

Having been an ICU nurse at various hospitals for awhile, my experience is that the more intense the unit, the more intense the people.

I am not easily offended either, and usually just brush off the "BS". This actually serves as a "buffer" for the stronger characters in any unit (and you can hear all the gossip too!)

By the way, the gossip is usually who said what about whom and whose feelings are hurt on any given day, so it's actually quite easy to laugh it off!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

I woked on the most wonderful unit for 10 years. Please and thank you wree automatic. You needed help? Someone came immediately, we had "family" lunches , we visitede each others' homes. Our kids knew each other. Our turnover was negligible.

Then "IT WAS DECIDED" the nurse manager needed to go, replacing, by the wicked witch of the west. There it all went downwards in the fastest spiral ever seen.

Love begets love, disharmony begets nurses eating their young and all the other homilies.