:angryfire Hi all, I got my LPN a year ago last march and worked med/surg and long term care. I graduated in Dec and started at a Level one mixed ICU/CVICU/everything else unit. I was so excited to be in the ICU! Took all kinds of classes, on the icu.faq website all the time, bought books, asked questions, etc.
Now, 8 months later I am so disgusted. The nurses there (well at least 80% of them) are so nasty to the new grads! Snide comments, act like they're so much better, can't talk about anything except what we don't know. Didn't they emphasize teaching in nursing school? Last night I was subjected to a long conversation about how lazy we are, how stupid we are, how we can't run a code, we shouldn't be working there, etc ad nauseum. There were three new nurses present but that didn't stop the nastiness.
I have done nothing but be excited, willing to help, and willing to learn. Now I'm thinking I should be working at an insurance co where RN's run the show, don't have to wipe poop, break their backs or be subjected to such hostility.
I have done nothing but be excited, willing to help, and willing to learn. Now I'm thinking I should be working at an insurance co where RN's run the show, don't have to wipe poop, break their backs or be subjected to such hostility.
Thanks for ruining my attitude, ICU nurses.
Sorry to hear about the unsupportive environment you're in.
After being in sooooo many negative environments, I FINALLY found a supportive work environment at the job I am at now. The people are not angels or good friends that I have a beer with after work to me in the least bit, but they are relatively more open, honest, non-passive-aggressive, direct, and most importantly, they pretty mucg don't play games like backstabbing or gossip because THEY WORK AS A TEAM AND, for the most part, though not all the time, they honestly help each other to learn and get ahead so that we can function effectively as a team together and get our s*** done so that we can each go home content. This is A LOT better than any of my previous jobs. But really, work environemnts like these are pretty common; I just didn't know about them or really beleived they existed until I found one.
Don't worry. If your co-workers make u feel bad, its all them and not you. There are other places where its common attitude that a positive work enviroment is the most effective one.
I am an ICU nurse and have broken the ice pretty well, but they're no different here. First of all, who cares about their opinion, the bottom line? They're jealous. They're jealous that you're needed, new, and ready to learn. That's threatening to them. Let 'em suffer. I'm right there with you.
I agree with the other replies, don't let them get to you. People only treat you the way that you allow them too. Try a combination of standing up for yourself, but at the same time...kill em' with kindness...
I say print your post and responses...then leave them around somwhere on the unit so these bit**y nurses can get an earful....lot of seasoned ICU nurses backing you up here....let them think about that....By all means talk to manager..if that doesn't help...go to HR....if that doesn't work...there are plenty of ICU's that DO want you. Good Luck!
One thing I've learned is..we can't change how other poeple act..we only have control of how we REACT to them..don't let them cause you to stoop to their level, but don't let them run over you either..stick up for yourself or no one else will (((hugzzzz)))
Specializes in Step down, ICU, ER, PACU, Amb. Surg.
Mayflye,
As a former SICU/PACU nurse and now ER nurse in my 10+ nursing career, I would like to extend my sympathies to you for the terrible experience that you have been going through. Unfortunately, what you are experiencing is not exclusive to ICU, I have seen it in the ER, the PACU, Med-Surg and even LTC......there are going to be a few rotten apples whereever you go. What surprises me is that this behavior is being displayed on nights, where I have found nurses to be the most co-hesive and supportive. But like so many have said before me, do not let it discourage you in your quest to be an ICU nurse, use this to develope your people skills, let them roll right off your back. Soon enough, once they figure out that you can not be shaken so easily, they will back off and hopefully mellow out. They need to take a good hard long look in the mirror and remember that they were once new, also. But if you are not seeing results with the HN or Unit Manager, keep going up the chain until you do get some satisfaction. Keep your chin up and do not loose your enthusiasm, hopefully someone will come along and take you under their wing and show you the ropes like someone did for me and that I have tried to do for others. Good luck to you.
PS: I like the idea of printing this threat out and leaving lie around where they can find it :chuckle
....I'm usually too busy working my *** off to hear conversations like the ones you speak of.
ICU is not for the faint at heart...
Every unit I go to seems to have a different culture, and each one had had its share of nasties to work with. I just ignore them best I can and do my job.
ICU nurses have been hard on me from the very start, especially my first one and one nurse in particular. She was one of my preceptors and I dreaded working with her.
It seems that all have had to pay their dues so they kind of make sure the new ppl do to.
This isnt unique to nursing. It was the same way when I was in the Army. The new guy had to prove himself. After awhile he was accepted into the unit. Sometimes not at all.
Lets face it nursing is a hard profession and we've all paid our dues to be here. I used to think nursing school was a little hard on the students (ADN program) but now that Ive been on the floor a few years I realize it was good preparation after all if you cant hack mean ol' instructors and staff at the hospital, then how are you ever going to stand up to an MD who speaks poor english, has old fashion ideas about nurses, and has worked 130 hours the past week and is mad as hell at you? Or a crashing pt and theres nowhere else to send him/her because you ARE where ppl send crashing pts?
For that manner Ive encountered plenty of nasty floor nurses who think ICU RN's are over glorified and over paid.
And not so pleasant Cath lab and OR nurses who didnt bother to call report before bringing the pt over, or werent too nice either when called for info.
Stressed ER nurses who dont know anything about the pt they are transferring to the unit and got just a little "snippy" when asked for further detail. Chances are they dont know the pt either only what they were told by the last shift.
For that matter Ive met some pretty unpleasant ward clercks, aides, and "environmental services" ppl too.
Where I work RT's, PT/OT, and EKG techs all wear long white lab coats with stethescopes and seem to think they are somewhere between MD,s and God.
I was told during my first clinicals not to trust each and every person, but look for the ppl I could go to. The same applies today. And when ppl arent pleasant I dont find it necessary to go toe to toe with them. But I do stand my ground period.
The bottom line is you dont have to be that way. And you can make a difference.
It may seem corny but the following sometimes helps me when I'm ready to rapidly place my fist in someones face at a high velocity, or tell them exactly what I'm thinking or feeling:
"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway."
I am an ER nurse but I can sypathize with you. The ICU/CCU nurses in our facility treat us like dirt. When we call and give report they pick us apart, they make snide comments when we get upstairs and make us feel stupid- they ALWAYS have to point out at least one thing we did wrong and argue with us if they don't feel that the pateint "needs ICU" The other day I tried to give report and all the nurse kept doing was interrupting me and "if he's not on a vent and doesn't have a foley than why is he coming up here" even though he had no platlets to speak of at 24 years old. It's almost like they are afraid of patients that walk and talk. I feel that they also don't understand that they have 1:1/-2/:1 and we have been caring for this ICU patient in the ER being 4,5,6:1 and we don't always have time to make them immaculate and tie a bow on for delivery to them. For what we have to work with I think we do a great job and if that was my only patient than I could understand but come on guys- we are expected to manage our other 3-6 patients as well and can't put off getting report because 1 patient in the dept. had a blood pressure drop and it takes all of our nurses to take care of it. We run codes and the ambulances still continue to roll in, the patients still come through the front door and we can't say no, why can you??!! when you don't even have half the patient load that we carry?
sorry, bad night last night and had to vent- but I just don't understand the ER-ICU war that seems to go on at every hospital. We are all nurses and we all are there for the patient- it takes ALL of us.
I agree...be careful about doing stuff like that. A few nurses awhile back got in real trouble on the job about posting stuff on this site...so we should always be careful not to give tooo much info here...someone might be trying to collect dirt on us.
"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway."
--Mother Teresa
Thank you soooo much for posting this! Great advice! :)
In my school, we were told that the hospital nurses eat their young. Since I just graduated, I am staying out of hospitals till I get some experience. And yes, our instructors scared all of us that bad!!!!!
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susanna
257 Posts
Sorry to hear about the unsupportive environment you're in.
After being in sooooo many negative environments, I FINALLY found a supportive work environment at the job I am at now. The people are not angels or good friends that I have a beer with after work to me in the least bit, but they are relatively more open, honest, non-passive-aggressive, direct, and most importantly, they pretty mucg don't play games like backstabbing or gossip because THEY WORK AS A TEAM AND, for the most part, though not all the time, they honestly help each other to learn and get ahead so that we can function effectively as a team together and get our s*** done so that we can each go home content. This is A LOT better than any of my previous jobs. But really, work environemnts like these are pretty common; I just didn't know about them or really beleived they existed until I found one.
Don't worry. If your co-workers make u feel bad, its all them and not you. There are other places where its common attitude that a positive work enviroment is the most effective one.