I'm a tech (nursing assistant), not a nurse, but I'm certain that this topic is equally applicable to LVNs and registered nurses alike, so I wanted to bring it up.
I currently work two jobs (one full-time, the other PRN) at two separate hospitals, each a part of a different healthcare network. I've been at my full-time job for about two years, and I love it. I get paid well, I love the hospital culture, and I feel that my co-workers and are not only respectful and warm, but very collegial. About seven months ago, I was hired at my PRN job, but have mixed feelings about it. Most people at this PRN position are respectful enough, and I feel like that I my job competently and have no issues whatsoever with management. The only thing is, at my PRN job I feel like there's a lack of support and positivity between the staff members, and sometimes it's a bit depressing.
For instance, at my full-time job when a nurse asks me to do something, they phrase it as a question. "Can you get vitals on patient suchandsuch?" or "He needs an EKG. Are you cool with getting it?" Obviously, I never say 'no' and am quite compliant. Moreover, the nurses will say 'Thanks for doing that' if I help them out. So I do feel like I'm contributing to a team effort.
But at my PRN job, the nurses are more like, "Grab Room 214's blood sugar" or "He needs an EKG at 4 o'clock." I still cheerfully say "Sure!" and comply, but is it strange that the communication feels more hierarchical and less collaborative? Also, I don't feel like I'm ever recognized if I'm particularly busy and do a whole lot of things. I don't expect accolades, but many of the nurses could at least say, "Hey, thanks for doing that!" Is that too much to ask?
Also, at the PRN job it just feels like there's so much negativity among the nurses and other techs, as if they're burnt-out. I've never witnessed it myself, but I've overheard staff (nurses and techs alike) talk about how the doctors yelled at the nurses, or a nurse chewed out a tech. To me, that seems really unprofessional in a workplace environment, and it resembles what 'nursing culture' was years before. I've verbally conflicted with a particular nurse twice, over various issues, since I value my self-respect more than any pretensions to "hospital hierarchy". I'll stick up for myself if need be. Still, I hate conflicts and the perceived aggression, and afterward I always feel like my chest is beating fast and my eyes do get a bit moist.
On the one hand, I consider quitting my PRN job since I feel that I don't particularly need it (I make good money with my other job), already have a solid resume with work experience, and really don't like the atmosphere of negativity. I aspire to be a BSN-prepared nurse someday, and I really don't want to feel like what I do is "just a job". I want to be inspired. For the record, the patients at my PRN job love me (one guy told me he loved having me as his tech because I "treated him as a human", and another patient said I was really positive and they needed more people like me! Aw).
But on the other hand, I haven't hit the one-year mark that's traditionally used to quit a job. Moreover, I may do clinicals at the same hospital system (though probably not the same hospital) as a nursing student in the future, and I don't know if being a former employee over there would make any difference in me being able to do clinicals there. Also, I have doubts as to whether I just need a 'thicker skin' and be more detached from what I do.
Sorry if it's a long post. Just wanted to get all my thoughts out there!
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I understand that in other industries, a personality mismatch with the workplace culture is a primary reason for why people quit their jobs. I don't know how it works in the nursing world, hence why I asked this question.
I don't want to give the wrong impression. It's not that I'm consistently getting into conflict every shift or anything like that. And the majority of nurses that I work with are easygoing enough. I just can't help feeling disturbed by all these stories about conflicts between staff, since I'm rather conflict-averse myself. I can be assertive if need be, but obviously when you have a collegial workplace culture there's far less venues for conflict to arise to begin with.
Pay more attention to your work and less to the negative chatter going on. It may be that since you are there only PRN the staff don't consider you part of the unit. I'm not saying that's right, but it's sort of just human nature to connect with people we see more frequently.
There are worse than what you describe in your opening post. Stick it out until that point where you feel you have reached your "benefit" ratio. Then, if you want to, resign, but after having done all due diligence.
I'd say, if you have two places where you work, and you enjoy the people at one more than another, then that's job you'll keep.
Good camaraderie with coworkers is a big factor for me. I just took a Per Diem job, and the atmosphere is very welcoming and friendly, so PRN jobs can have a good atmosphere. I plan to keep my second job, I really love it. If the people were snotty and unpleasant, well then, I could always just pick up hours at my primary place of employment.
So, yes, people will leave jobs that have a culture that they don't care for. That's all very individual.
You did not describe workplace hostility or bullying in your initial post.
I think people should have the insight to simply say that they fit in better with a group of people, without saying that they are bullied.
There are hostile workplaces, but often it's just a matter of taste. "I like coffee and you like tea, and that was the reason we disagreed"
I remember, one unit I floated to at my previous hospital. They were all political junkies who were pretty far left. It was a constant topic of conversation. I felt a bit out of place. Hostile workplace? Not sure about that, but not a place I wanted to spend too much time.
When I was in an NCLEX review course, they asked the practice question (and I paraphrase a bit...I don't remember all the specifics): "The RN gives a PRN dose of hydrazine to patient with a BP 180/102. What is the appropriate way for the nurse to monitor the effectiveness of the medicine?" Among the choices are "the nurse should take the BP in 15 min," "the nurse should instruct the PCT to check the BP when they are done providing help feeding a patient in isolation," or "instruct the PCT to take the pt's blood pressure in 15 minutes and report the results to the RN." (Yes, there was another choice, but it's not relevant to this discussion). The third of the 3 choices is correct. Why should the nurse not do it his/herself? Well, there are things the nurse has to do that the PCT cannot do. BP is a task that can be delegated, and it should be in this case. The 2nd choice does not specify exactly when the task should be done, nor is there any mandate for the PCT to report the result to the RN. The 3rd choice is clearly best...and there is not need to say "please and thanks", is not appropriate for the nurse to say "when you get a chance" or "pretty please" or whatever. It sounds to me like the nurses are doing their job delegating tasks appropriately, and it is most definitely not bullying.
If you otherwise do not like the negativity of the unit, then quit. But there is really no issues involving how the RNs are asking things.
1. You obviously know which place is a better fit for you. You can stick it out a while at the less desirable place, or you can just wash your hands of it.
2. You will not always hear please and thank you from everyone you work with, wether it's nursing, food prep, office work, or hard labor.
Point blank, some people are nice and will ask instead of order and say please and thank you and other people don't focus so much on pleasantries. What it comes down to is, anyone above you is a boss, and bosses give orders, black and white. Even if they ask nicely, you're still expected to complete the task so some people don't waste the time.
As far as listening to disgruntled employees complain....people will always find something to complain about somewhere. It's natural. Disregard it unless it directly involves you.
Personally, I always try to say please and thank you and ask instead of order, but there are times when things get crazy and I might start barking out orders. But that's just me.
I'm dwelling on what you're saying. As a tech, I do recognize that I'm on the bottom of the totem pole of this hospital hierarchy, so to speak, but I have too much self-respect to let someone chew me out at their whim. If we have a disagreement, we can discuss it like grown ups, I feel. But perhaps I'm not fully loving this workplace because the culture at the hospital doesn't emphasize communication to the extent which I'd like. Sometimes before a shift, I'd be wishing to myself "Please don't let this shift go bad!" We're all already so busy with the patients, that we certainly don't need hostility between each other as it is.
Your place in the hierarchy is not the issue..."the culture at the hospital doesn't emphasize communication to the extent which I'd like" is not your call.
Hospitals are staffed by people who are overworked, stressed out and tired.
This is not High Tea Time! It's do or die. Patient's are crashing... tasks need to be done STAT.
If you don't receive a please and thank you... oh well. The unit does not revolve around YOUR politically correct standards.
TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN
1,018 Posts
When you observe a pattern it is wise to look for a common denominator.