My first true rant... my new job STINKS. :(

we are in the same boat. i had to quit a job because of sh#t like that and I was so proud to get it in the first place. sorry, i have no useful advise but you are not alone.

God bless, I worked PT for a large group of oral surgeons during "wisdom teeth season"

The MA (with experience but no actual MA was starting IV's, pushing IV pain/sedation meds.) Control issues big time. Did not want me there. Would complain loudly to co-workers and MD's when I asked to be oriented to sterilizer, supplies, tray set up. IV soln, Nitric Oxide, O2 tank shut off/on (mains) and ER resus equip. God forbid I couldn't find an instrument during a case. She'd race through a case and try to beat me to the next IV start leaving me to clean up the last room. I pretty much got the message, my turf, gonna pee on all the trees. MD's couldn't understand why they couldn't get, keep Nurses. (wanted a token nurse on paper to CYA if anything went wrong.):smackingf

Sounds like a pretty toxic environment. I would look for a new job ASAP.

I don't see the problem with just holding pressure for you. Shoot the other day I had a patient help me. I only had so many hands and I had to draw blood first (it was hard to convince him to let me start a new IV because he was scared of needles but his other IV was just ruined and I did not feel comfortable leaving it that way as the day shift did nor using it) so I talked to him (teen boy) and he let me restart one, well it wouldn't draw good but it did once I hooked up the IV so I needed his help with something and he besides the actual needle stick he ended up thinking the whole thing was pretty cool. I didn't have him do anything that is only in my scope, I just had him hold something and then take off a cap for the J-Tube.

Hey Epona,

If it makes you feel any better, you are not alone. Im in the same predicament only in a different healthcare field. There are HATEFUL, HATEFUL PPL out there, and Im currently in the process of looking for another job. Good luck chile!

Hey Babe!

Don't worry. My first job I asked so many "stupid" questions, I wanted to run off in shame! Same thing when I stepped up and started in the ICU. But when you go to a new area/department, you will have learned from all those mistakes, and you will be tough and thick skinned, and they will love you. They you will step into a new role, and they will all talk about how stupid you are all over again. So it goes.

I have started a new RN job and it's the PITS big time. A few of the MA's and MD's have fused to the overall manager because I ask questions and do not know certain things. DUH... I received no orientation at all to speak of... I ended up getting a day and a half. I asked for more at the urging of one of the MD's and was told NOPE. I could come in on a day off here and there on my own time, but that was it. No orientation.

SO... tonight was TERRIBLE with a captial T. The staff for the most part is ugly and yells things out like 'unbelieveable' if they ask me something and I do not know it. I overhear them talking on their phone and they say ' if I have to stay here much longer I am going to need oxygen myself.' Many of them are downright hateful towards me.

AND... question... can an RN ask an MA to put pressure on the end of a catheter IV as the nurse connects the port?? I am not asking them to draw or push meds.. just apply pressure on the catheter so it does not bleed all over as I connect the tubing. One of the MA's complained tonight that I asked her to 'apply pressure' to the catheter and she felt uncomfortable doing that and complained to the MD in charge. She is studying to be a nurse by the way. Come on... you cannot apply pressure to the arm while I connect the tubing. Give me a break!! I just think this place is TOXIC and not getting any orientation should have been a big ole flag.

THANKS very much for listening!!!!

I suggest finding another job. No an MA should not be doing anything while you are inserting the IV, you have to be IV certified to have anything to do with IV insertion. However, states might be different. Really, my opinion. No big deal, but apperently everyone is out to get everyone else. So, let them deal with being short staffed when your gone. You don't need that, and proper orientation should be mandated not an option.

I suggest finding another job. No an MA should not be doing anything while you are inserting the IV, you have to be IV certified to have anything to do with IV insertion. However, states might be different. Really, my opinion. No big deal, but apperently everyone is out to get everyone else. So, let them deal with being short staffed when your gone. You don't need that, and proper orientation should be mandated not an option.

She wasn't inserting, she was putting pressure above the site to slow down the bleeding.

Big picture: They're jerks. If you don't stand up for yourself now and put a stop to their behavior, they're going to keep doing it. You have to ask yourself what you will and won't tolerate, then stick to it.

If I were in your shoes and people talked to me that way, I would totally turn it around on them and shame them for being such witches and for hanging you out to dry. There's no excuse for behavior like that.

And as for the MA, don't ask her to do anything else cool. When she complains, tell her that since she is uncomfortable with tasks that lay people can do, you definitely aren't comfortable delegating anything important to her.

I'm not trying to be mean, but they're testing to see how big your "balls" are, so it's time to grow a pair and brass plate them. Right now, you're showing them that you've got less than a neutered puppy.

Good luck!

wow, and i am about to enter into a bsn degree plan. i have heard nurses can be pure witches. it's a shame to hear such childishness among supposedly caring individuals. they smile and talk sweetly to the patients and treat each other like dirt in between their toes. what is up with that? my past history is 25 years as a rma (cardiac) and reg. phlebotomist, working mostly in trauma settings. we never had time to be hateful and was always grateful to have the staff we did. once in a while a caddy someone joins the team, but they usually do not last long. the doctors see to that. i think one has to have a passion to be a nurse providing care to the sick and be able to play in the political arena. i wish you all well in your unfavorable positions. i truly sadden me to hear how poorly you all are being treated. i for one would not put up with it..... kill them with witting kindness, cya, watch your step and double check everything you do. document document document........

i am studying to be a travelling nurse, with hopes of one day being able to travel abroad. i'll be 60 years of age when i graduate. i wonder if i will have any difficulty getting a job at all, let alone a traveling position. that’s the purpose for logging on here. to receive knowledgeable advise in all areas of nursing. any travelers out there? your thoughts?

don't let their bitterness consume you, rise above and take the lead

show you are quality…

Well, I guess one way to look at this is that you will use this job to get all of your new job questions out of the way and learn the skills you need to learn -- even if it's on your own -- so that the next job you get you won't have to go through all of this misery. You'll know what's what and can hit the floor running.

But yeah, it sounds like you can do better.

What an unbelievable toxic environment you are in. I don't get how people can be so disrespectful, but in my short time as an RN I have noticed that NA's/MAs, etc, or people with little education do their best to try to make those who they feel are more "powerful" than them feel like complete crap. (Not all of course, but close to the majority).

Get out of that toxic environment. Good luck.

leave! your first red flag should have been no orientation!

that is way too toxic of a place to be, YOU deserve better.

ps use the side of the your hand(the hand you are holding the end of the catheter with), to lay down on the vein while you connect with your other hand. or, as you hold the end of the catheter with your forefinger and thumb, use your ring finger and little finger of same hand to hold down vein as you connect with your other hand.