Negative Work Environment, HELP!

prmenrs, RN · Jan 29, 2005

I would start looking for another job. Go to conferences, join your local NANN chapter so you can start networking. Get your resume in order. Start shopping! Planning your escape (quietly!!!) will help you cope. Do not, under any circumstances, burn any bridges. Be a class act, but if you're not happy, there's no reason for you to stay.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Jan 29, 2005

I don't know if I would hang up the towel yet. You are still new. Maybe, thinking down the line, you could get together with the CNS and nurse manager and propose some educational things. Years and years ago, we didnt' have a discharge teaching folder...we had NOTHING for these parents and a group of nurses got together, put one together and presented it . Change takes time, it doesn't occur over night.

I would talk to the nurses that feel the same as you. See what they did at their other hospitals. Lead by example...make your beds the way you want...nest, cover them, put a washcloth over baby's head. The equipment is most likely a cost issue and that is something that needs to be worked out. You can contact companies for samples of stuff, use them and ask for others opinions. Maybe talk about things you used at your other place of employment, make suggestions. But first you need to feel comfortable there. I would give it more time. You probably already know this, but most NICU's are close knit. Being new anywhere is hard.

I don't believe in tossing in the towel quickly, unless it is an unsafe environment. You may be the one to introduce some great ideas!

peaceful · Jan 29, 2005

Prmenrs recommendation is the exact way to go about quitting a job. I happen to need this advice right now.

I would start looking for another job. Go to conferences, join your local NANN chapter so you can start networking. Get your resume in order. Start shopping! Planning your escape (quietly!!!) will help you cope. Do not, under any circumstances, burn any bridges. Be a class act, but if you're not happy, there's no reason for you to stay.

fergus51 · Jan 29, 2005

If the unit is that bad, I would leave. A new nurse isn't going to be able to make any changes unless the older nurses are on board. If you think it will be possible to get people into updating and becoming a tighter knit unit, then go for it. If you think that is unrealistic, look for a place that is more welcoming.

wjf00 · Jan 31, 2005

I have worked in several different units and I have noticed that often the shift you work on makes a tremendous difference. I will probably be scewered for this but PM shifts are always the worst, Nurses never seem to help one another. Then they will go to the manager and complain about you. On day shifts I find the Nurses never tire of telling me how stupid I am or how smart they are. But they will sit on their butt and not move when I am bagging one of my patients while another is screaming its head off. Night shift nurse always stick together and help each other out. This has been true every place I have worked.

nurseamena · Jan 31, 2005

Well, I've decided to stay a while longer and see what happens. I need to learn to not allow a few people to affect me so much. I know I'm a good nurse and always do my best. I am going to start looking for a part time job at a delivering hospital. It would be nice to see a few babies who will turn out normal. Perhaps seeing very few good outcomes is also affecting the way I feel about my job. Thanks for the advice!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2005

I have worked in several different units and I have noticed that often the shift you work on makes a tremendous difference. I will probably be scewered for this but PM shifts are always the worst, Nurses never seem to help one another. Then they will go to the manager and complain about you. On day shifts I find the Nurses never tire of telling me how stupid I am or how smart they are. But they will sit on their butt and not move when I am bagging one of my patients while another is screaming its head off. Night shift nurse always stick together and help each other out. This has been true every place I have worked.

Pretty similar where I work. We mostly work 12 hour days and nights, and the difference between the two shifts is unbelievable. On days we have many more people complaining about each other, throwing tantrums, not helping each other out, etc. It's very clique-y. On nights, of course you have a handful of people who cause trouble, but for the most part, everyone is helpful, friendly, and easy to work with. I think it helps that everyone who works nights CHOOSES to work them and isn't just biding their time until a day position opens up.

MishlB · Jan 31, 2005

Hi there everyone. I just got back from work and I'm feeling a little sad. I have a new job and I am off orientation now, been here 6 months now. The patient population is exactly what I hoped for. It is very high acuity--once they act like grower feeders they transfer to other units. I love what I do and every day I learn something new. Unfortunately, for the most part, my coworkers are very unhelpful, unsupportive and unfriendly. I have tried very hard to be nice to everyone. The unit has very old equipment. No one cares about developmental care. I really have no idea what to do. I have talked to several other nurses who have the same experience in this unit, but that still doesn't make me feel any better. I am a really sensitive person and I keep telling myself that I need to change my attitude. Has anyone felt like this at a new job and ended up being happy there after a while? Any advice would be great.

Don't give up so soon. The grass is not always greener. I had the same experience, and just kept being myself, not getting into the group mentality. Be a positive role model, it might change some attitudes. You are there for your patients and their families, NOT the other nurses. Most people who are miserable want company...don't let them drive you out. Be the best you can be, and it WILL make a difference!!!!!

rnpilot · Feb 5, 2005

I have a new job and I am off orientation now, been here 6 months now.

Give yourself a little more time and use it to scout out your options. I worked in a large, busy, prestigious unit for about 6 years. I faced the same thing when new. Part of the problem was that people were too busy and focused on their assignments to have time to be very friendly. After being there several years, with a high nurse turn over rate, new people would come and go so fast I never even got to meet them. Some of the nurses felt "why bother" establishing a relationship with someone there less than a year. We knew most people were there just to get through orientation and have it on their resume so they could go somewhere less hectic. The nurses that stayed more than a year almost magically graduated into the group.

What has been said about night shift also bears some truth. Night shift nurses have always had to stick together as it's usually the poorest staffed and little outside help available. All my close friends were made working nights. Even if you only have 2 or 3 friends at work, it can make a big difference. Keep your expectations small and work on cultivating just a couple relationships to start. Eventually people will warm up to you if you can tolerate the time it takes. Also, don't try too hard. Kind of like the advice I give my daughter about dating- act like you don't care if people like you and they'll suddenly want to get to know you. Good Luck!!

nurseamena · Feb 5, 2005

Thanks RNpilot, this is definitely a learning experience. I think the reason it is hitting me now is that after being here 6 months, I now have time to think about and worry about what other people think about me. But I need to snap out of that high school mentality. This is not a popularity contest. My role right now is to provide the best care possible, advocate for my patient, and learn as much as I can. This is also my first time out of school with a real job. I've reached my goal and now have to sit down and make new goals for the future. I've also started volunteering at the humane society so I'll feel a little productive on my off weeks. Thanks for the dating advice too--I need it :)

kitty29 · Feb 9, 2005

Gosh if you enjoy your job I would hang in there, give it at least one year at least that would look better if you do move on.

Is there a big generation gap in your unit? We are experiencing that now and as a person who has been here a while that is rough from my perspective...I feel like I don't get any respect for my knowledge. So maybe it's some of that going on there too??

Good luck.