Need's some advice!

[RNnurse13]

I have recently taken an assignment in DC. I am finding that the nurses at the hospital are very unhelpful and unfriendly. There are tech's available for help but they also are very unhelpful and will do the min required. And of course since I am the traveler I get the hardest assignment. I feel like I am running around all over the unit while the other nurses are sitting on their computers reading ESPN or shopping (I have actually seen this on their computers) or they are busy talking. I ask for help but will get no response or attitude. I am not asking them to do my job but just help in what will save my back.

I have had great and successful assignments in the past. I am feeling very overwhelmed and even to the point I am ready to quit this assignment. I have spoken to the charge nurse, the clinical manager, and now I have even called my company. I even asked them to find me a different assignment.

If anyone can offer me any advice on what to do (besides actually quiting, I don't want this to affect future assignments) to make it through this assignment and get fellow nurses to pitch in help I would apperciate it!

[NedRN]

This isn't easy advice to take as you are human, but ignore your co-workers for now. What they do or don't do doesn't affect you as you get paid by the hour (sometimes I think by the second if I have to). I have a strong work ethic, and I do my best to ignore the shirkers. You will become more efficient. Stick with it and you will be stronger for it. The next assignment will be easier. Enjoy your days off, and count the rest of the days down that you have to work.

[AllyRN82, MSN, APRN]

I have recently taken an assignment in DC. I am finding that the nurses at the hospital are very unhelpful and unfriendly. There are tech's available for help but they also are very unhelpful and will do the min required. And of course since I am the traveler I get the hardest assignment. I feel like I am running around all over the unit while the other nurses are sitting on their computers reading ESPN or shopping (I have actually seen this on their computers) or they are busy talking. I ask for help but will get no response or attitude. I am not asking them to do my job but just help in what will save my back.

I have had great and successful assignments in the past. I am feeling very overwhelmed and even to the point I am ready to quit this assignment. I have spoken to the charge nurse, the clinical manager, and now I have even called my company. I even asked them to find me a different assignment.

If anyone can offer me any advice on what to do (besides actually quiting, I don't want this to affect future assignments) to make it through this assignment and get fellow nurses to pitch in help I would apperciate it!

This sounds like an awful situation. I know what it's like to work in that type of environment, and it's not right. I wish I knew a way out of it for you, and for when I get in situations like this. I tried to get an assignment in DC and was actually warned by my recruiter that there's a hospital there where they're losing half their contracts because of work conditions such as what you're mentioning, and he advised I not take the contract. I am wondering if it's the same assignment.

Regardless, you are in the contract at this time. The assignment I had like this, I kept my head down and my mind focused on the end date. It came soon enough and I got the heck out of dodge. You're taking all the right steps, and I admire your ambition to seek advice for encouraging help from your team. Best of luck to you.