need help asap

MultipNP, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 23, 2009

I have gone through a very similar situation. I tried to transfer off my unit at another hospital -- with no success (even though I did get an interview with another manager -- that went well -- then was told by that manager that my current boss was saying horrible things about me). I found another job, and left. Still, I have since heard from several sources that this person has told horrible lies about me -- about what a horrible nurse I was, etc. Well, if I was so horrible, wouldn't I have been written up at least SOME during the year I worked on her unit? Would patients have requested me when they rolled in for repeated visits? Probably not. I wised up and decided to use the charge nurses with whom I worked as references. I even got some physicians to be references.

Do the best you can to keep pursuing other jobs. Ask friends who are nurses what their jobs are like at other hospitals and go for it, if you can. If you get an interview, you might want to be bluntly honest (if you feel it's going well) about what your current supervisor is likely to say about you if asked (and explain, of course, why). I did this when I interviewed for another job. My truthfulness was appreciated, thankfully, which I believe helped.

Keep us posted. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Saifudin · Feb 23, 2009

You situation sounds very tough for you but don't let this give up on a career you worked hard for!

Its maddening to see how vile people can be an with no apparent reason but the little I can offer in advice is this, try to be as patient as you can be. This situation will come to pass, everything does in one way or another and patience will help you to come through it more intact and stronger.

Patience is difficult for sure!. But dig deep into your personal resources and hold on.

Think through actions you might take and don't give anyone a reason to attack you. I have been in situations where the other party was wrong but I said something that I should not have and my position of strength was weakened.

Hang in there. This part of your life will soon be history.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2009

I agree with the follow up comments made already. I want to add that you really must watch out and be careful what you say to your co workers. You never know what they will say to the nurse manager to gain the upper hand.

As far as the job hunt, keep trying. Do not give up! Get out there and fill out applications, request to talk to someone, the manager or human resources so that they can put a face to the application. That really helps more than you can think.

In the meantime, just keep going to work and try to tolerate the job, afterall you do need money right? It might be a terrible position that you are in, but you are working and bringing in money. Be grateful for that and keep looking for a new job. Don't give up!

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2009

All HR can do is confirm your dates of hire. If you apply outside your hospital, check off that "do not call my current manager" box and state that you do not want anyone at your current place of employment to know you are looking. As for inter-hospital transfers, I was excited about a new unit, but was met with nm to nm communication that made it obvious that my "new grad" hospital was not meant to be. So I looked out of that particular hospital system and haven't looked back. Good luck to you!

queen777 · Feb 23, 2009

You sound like you have my first job! :crying2: I didn't hate it, I hated the nursing supervisors! Two faced as they could be always wanting to write me up for something.:icon_roll

An RN from another floor called me onto the elevator one night ( I had no idea if she was even looking at this situation) and told me that this Virginia had treated other nurses like this. I asked why? She said, "could be the way you look", I always dressed in white with my lab coat for the extra pockets and warmth as opposed to dressing scrubs, a housekeeper could wear those. Anyway, she went on to say I should transfer or quit, I did neither until one night I had too many pts, I happened to get the new admit even though I already had more pts than the seasoned nurses had plus I had to leave the floor with her for xray.

Anyway a elderly lady died of CHF. :cry: They did an investigation of which nothing was held against me! I thought, how can you fire me? :idea: But I went on to working agency....the best decision of my life! :up:Sure it was nursing homes, but it was actually better! I never thought of myself liking a nursing home. Some were better than others and so I just didn't go back to those I didn't like! Finally, I was calling the shots!

Girl go to agency they will be so glad to see you come in the door:bowingpur...it was like magic...they were so nice compared the witches I did work with and I got MORE PAY TOO!

Vito Andolini · Feb 23, 2009

No matter where you work, you must always watch your back. REPEAT: NO MATTER WHERE YOU WORK, YOU MUST ALWAYS WATCH YOUR BACK. Trust absolutely no one, not even those coworkers who you believe to be your friends, those who also voice unhappiness, no one. No real advice aside from this and what previous posters have said. Your opportunity will come. Hang on til it does. Do your best, use a sick day here and there for your sanity.

sherber1214 · Feb 23, 2009

It sounds like I am not alone in my new job woes! I am a June graduate at the end of my second orientation at a large local hospital. The first orintation was for L&D, and unfortunately I not only had the preceptor from hell, but the whole unit turned out to be a bunch of back stabbing, clicky wenches! They chewed me up until it was apparent to everyone that I was not happy and going nowhere in this unit. My nurse mgr took me aside (with no warning) and told me that my preceptor said I was not progressing!!! She gave my mid term eval to the nurse mgr without letting me know a word of what was said. My nurse mgr told me I may be better off down in postpartum....so away I went. Next preceptor was better, but warned me immediately to watch my back and watch what I say. I didn't realize how true those words of warning were. I now fear for my job, I hate it and want to quit soooo badly! I can feel people staring at me and talking behind my back, that I wasn't good enough to stick out L&D and now my night preceptor is becoming snippy and spitful, nit picking every little thing I do. I want to look elsewhere for a job, this one was doomed from the get go. My nurse mgr is aware of all of the nasty backstabbing going on but tolerates it. She is just as bad as them...even the patients hear the stories! What to do? Please,advice from any and all is much appreciated!!! :crying2:

queen777 · Feb 23, 2009

It sounds like I am not alone in my new job woes! I am a June graduate at the end of my second orientation at a large local hospital. The first orintation was for L&D, and unfortunately I not only had the preceptor from hell, but the whole unit turned out to be a bunch of back stabbing, clicky wenches! They chewed me up until it was apparent to everyone that I was not happy and going nowhere in this unit. My nurse mgr took me aside (with no warning) and told me that my preceptor said I was not progressing!!! She gave my mid term eval to the nurse mgr without letting me know a word of what was said. My nurse mgr told me I may be better off down in postpartum....so away I went. Next preceptor was better, but warned me immediately to watch my back and watch what I say. I didn't realize how true those words of warning were. I now fear for my job, I hate it and want to quit soooo badly! I can feel people staring at me and talking behind my back, that I wasn't good enough to stick out L&D and now my night preceptor is becoming snippy and spitful, nit picking every little thing I do. I want to look elsewhere for a job, this one was doomed from the get go. My nurse mgr is aware of all of the nasty backstabbing going on but tolerates it. She is just as bad as them...even the patients hear the stories! What to do? Please,advice from any and all is much appreciated!!!

Go to agency nursing...they will love to see you walk in that door because they want to go home!

I never felt so welcomed in nursing than when I switched over. I still worked in hospitals, I did med-surg and telly, I worked in 2 free clinics, different nursing homes ( I chose the ones I wanted to go to). Actually some were quite nice. I later liked on so well I decided to stay on staff,,,,it was a subacute floor, like a mini hospital.. I worked with brittle diabetics, oncology pts, learned how to dress ports (I am an LPN so this was big stuff for me and the only LPN on that floor). I later became charge nurse when the RN got sick and had RNs working under me! I loved it though. We had all kinds of pts so I was always keeping on top of things.

I am telling you, you will never be more appreciated.

Adrian40 · Feb 24, 2009

Thanks for all of your replies and advice I will continue to look elsewhere for a much better place to continue my nursing career. I know this is not the place I want to work.

sherber1214 · Feb 24, 2009

Thanks queen777, I will definately take your advice.

Wishinonastar, BSN · Feb 25, 2009

My first job was awful also. I wanted at least year's experience so I stayed a year. I was looking around in those last weeks and tried to transfer without success, but I jumped immediately to the first job that was offered even though I did not want to work there. I really don't regret it. I have had good and bad jobs over the years, but that first job was the worst. I even thought about killing myself at times so I wouldn't have to go to work. It hurts even more because you start out so excited to be a nurse and a place like that just destroys you. It is never really the same after unfortunately, and you always feel you have to "Watch your back" in the words of Vito. He is absolutely right though. Absolutely.