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!
