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.
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.
Epona, I remember you have had a difficult time, but you owe it to yourself not to put up with this crap. This new job is toxic, no doubt. I don't think it would ever get better, no matter what you do. Horrible people don't change, I guess they will only "accept" new coworkers who are as nasty as they are.... and who wants to work in an environment like that?!
I've walked out on a toxic job, after c/o lazy CNCs etc. I rang & left a msg for the manager one day, then the next day dumped my uniform at the front desk. The clerk told me I had to take it upstairs and I said there was no way I was chasing after that fat, lazy manager as I had better things to do with my time, & she could get off her fat rump to come down to reception & pick it up herself. It was a great feeling! And no, I couldn't really afford to quit. But I had to - my sanity was at stake.
U could try talking to them - but I'd leave. It's not worth the aggravation trying to change them - they've already made it clear you are in the way. So do what I did - tell them b4 u leave EXACTLY what you think of them. It gave me a lot of satisfaction, & I knew I wouldn't be going back to that work place in my life time. I hated it so much I wouldn't even eat when I was there, as I felt sick all the time.
Sometimes it isn't worth fighting something - it's just better 2 leave.
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. 
fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN
464 Posts
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.