Maintaining respect with former co-workers

[v_ballgurl4]

I currently work as an ER clerk at a small hospital in Idaho. I will finish my nursing degree in May and will be accepting a job on the medical/surg floor and ER. I am currently doing my preceptorship at the same hospital and have already run into problems with my current co-workers (ER clerks). I have felt a lot of animosity towards me and my steps to become a nurse, but it hasn't intensified until my preceptorship started at the hospital. I have worked at this job for almost 3 years and there are some who have been there 10+ years. A couple of the clerks I work with are Advanced EMT's and definitely have so much more medical experience than me. How do I keep their respect and friendship without making them feel bad about my steps toward higher education? I am very good friends with so many of these people and I am afraid the new responsibilities as the Nurse in the ER might ruin the relationship we have as friends/fellow clerks. Please Help!

[labrador4122, RN]

I currently work as an ER clerk at a small hospital in Idaho. I will finish my nursing degree in May and will be accepting a job on the medical/surg floor and ER. I am currently doing my preceptorship at the same hospital and have already run into problems with my current co-workers (ER clerks). I have felt a lot of animosity towards me and my steps to become a nurse, but it hasn't intensified until my preceptorship started at the hospital. I have worked at this job for almost 3 years and there are some who have been there 10+ years. A couple of the clerks I work with are Advanced EMT's and definitely have so much more medical experience than me. How do I keep their respect and friendship without making them feel bad about my steps toward higher education? I am very good friends with so many of these people and I am afraid the new responsibilities as the Nurse in the ER might ruin the relationship we have as friends/fellow clerks. Please Help!

be yourself with them and don't change your personality because you have "RN" next to your name.

basically what I am saying is ... don't be a BULLY!!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If these coworkers stop being your friends once you become a nurse, then they were never your true friends to begin with. A real friend would be supportive during life's changes, and school is definitely one of these life-changing times. These people seem as if they might be secretively envious of your accomplishments and new earning potential.

[aeauooo]

I have found that as distressing as animosity from your coworkers may be, it is usually short-lived. Most people get over it. If someone holds a grudge for a long time, it's really that person's problem, don't make it yours (easier said than done, I know).

Two words: horizontal hostility - you might want to do a little research on that subject before you become a victim.