Negative work environment

[sungrl01]

I am a relatively new BSN and have been working on my unit specialty for 3 years and have had much negativity from Charge Nurse and Co Workers since I have started. I have tried from the beginning to be positive and trying to learn as much as I can only to have been brought down every time I try to get ahead. Most of the nurses I have worked with have been there many many years and are much older and thought their experience would be invaluable for learning from them. The first week I started the CN said in the break room "Looks like they hired my replacement" looking at me and THEY always comment on my BSN status which I didn't really think that would make a big deal as we are all nurses. I understand that this is a job and we all need to work together for the good of the patients. I try to bring up new ideas that would help the unit..example regular staff meeting as we don't have them but once a year..and my suggestions fall on deaf ears. I don't know what to do..I am open to suggestions.

[clarinets, CNA]

What are they criticizing you about...rather than being helpful?

[kakamegamama]

It sounds as though "they" do not have a BSN? Or, did I read your post incorrectly? If that is the case, there could be jealousy on their part, and really, YOU can't fix that. You can only be gracious, not flout your BSN, work hard and be appropriate. Perhaps not make suggestions for a while? Or, ask if you can suggestion something? Your situation is not a fun one to be in. I've "been there, done that". and it can be a barrier. Living down the negative expectations/preconceived notions of others isn't easy, but can be done. Hang in there.

[PHXRN1]

You've worked for 3 YEARS in the same dysfunctional work environment with the same dysfunctional management alongside the same dysfunctional coworkers and you don't know what to do?

LEAVE! This clearly is not the place for you!

But having read through a few other posts of yours, I get the sense that you already know this but still don't intend to actually take action. At what point are you going to get mad enough to say enough is enough?

So three years ago a freshly-minted BSN walked through the door and the charge nurse got the jitters. Rightfully so. And a sarcastic comment about "hiring her replacement" was probably masking some insecurity and nervousness. "What happens if management brought in this BSN gal to stir things up a little? What kind of new ideas is she going to suggest that I haven't thought of? School sure was a long time ago." Etc...

But you know what? She was dead wrong. After three years, this broad ain't scared of you one bit. Why should she be? She's got a spineless manager that obviously sides with her when the chips are down and a whole staff of RNs that are so set in their ways that they laugh at newbies with their shiny, Magnet-friendly, BSN degrees because you're working the crap job that they are.

You've got two choices. 1) Learn to keep your head down and accept that you're gonna keep getting walked on. or 2) Start fresh at a new, less dysfunctional facility and bring some good ideas to the table with the backbone and tenacity to support them.

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

I can see the passion and the desire to motivate others as a great quality to have. Please never lose that gift and talent especially in this nursing field :) Because you have your BSN and years of experience, you have leverage and to be honest would suggest to seek elsewhere. Maybe go per diem if you don't want to quit and keep a good track record . You can shine and be appreciated with a company who sees the drive and determination. What company wouldn't want a nurse who thinks outside the box and introduce new ideas? Sometimes its not about changing people minds, but maybe changing the environment?

I wish you the best and continue to be a leader that you are and shine :)

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

A BSN with three years of experience could probably find a job that is not within the same unit you are on. See about internal transfers. Or start looking outside of the hospital system you currently work for.

After three years of attempts to put ideas on the table and have them ignored, you can either go in, do your job, and leave--or you can transfer to an alternate unit, go for a leadership role, or put out your feelers for a completely different position.

Some hospital positons require a BSN at this point in time. That can cause a great deal of resentment that multi year nurses are asked to go back to school, told that BSN's are somehow better than them, etc. in a culture of a unit. BUT this is NOT your issue-- Some unit cultures are into giving impressions that a warm body with a BSN beats any multi year nurse around, including the charge nurse, manager, etc. Again, this is not something you have control over.

With that type of culture, you need to choose what is important to you and your practice. If they are just being nasty, then you know, you have a life outside of work, you are there for your patients, and do what you need to do to get a paycheck. Do not invest any more energy on attempting to poke a bear. If you are thinking you need to look at more supportive enviroments, then do so.

At the end of the day, only you can decide what is best for you and your family.