New Grad in ER, working with LPNs

[Ria80]

I graduated top of my class with 4.0, and was recommended to "Top Boss", who turns out knew me from the past experience and really wanted me to work in his ER. My training was only for 2 weeks (6 shifts) plus general orientation and ACLS. Love ER, but of course no matter how good my critical thinking and nursing skills are, I turn out to be much slower than other RN due to learning the robes, documentation systems, phone orders from different DR's ...and so on. Pts love me, and personal from other departments always compliment me on great bed side nursing and pt communication skills. However, my biggest challenge is to win ER staff over, especially LPNs that work with me on different shifts. It seems beside the unclear division of responsibilities, I got couple of people (including charge nurse) again me surviving this 3 month trial period, and now other staff members are taking her side and tensions rising and some LPNS completely ignoring me. I don't get VS or any information on placed IV sites, help to clean beds, or changing pts...whigh takes more time to do it on my own. HELP ME! ( sorry for the long post, just wanted you to know the whole situation). I really don't want to change jobs.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Why/how was your orientation only six shifts??!!!!

[hgwalter91]

Ya....a six shift orientation just sounds like they are setting you up for failure! I would have asked for a longer orientation to make you feel more comfortable with the whole job/department in general.

[ORNurseCOS]

You say they are against you, this type of behavior doesn't come out of thin air.

Something was said or done either intentionally or unintentionally to **** them off.

Posting here IMO is a waste of your time, no one here is privy to the complete picture nor cane they be.

I suggest you follow the chain of command and speak to your direct supervisor to get a pulse on the problem, directly confront the people with dialogue and open communication.

[loriangel14, RN]

[i graduated top of my class with 4.0]

What does this have to do with anything? your GPA does not guarantee you respect.

In what way are they ignoring you? Why are you singling out the LPNs behaviour?

[AJJKRN]

I graduated with a 3.8 (both times) while working full-time and raising a family. This didn't mean I knew really much of anything the first year of real life nursing! I feel like your post is emulating a lot of pride so maybe your struggles right now are being able to learn and accept humility. I'm not saying you shouldn't be proud of your accomplishments but leave that pride at the door. It will make it so much easier for you to learn, if not, keep it and learn the harder way! Please be open to bruising your pride often if you're truly going to protect and advocate for patients all the while excelling in nursing. And remember, a title on your badge is just a title, look to absorb and respect the experience around you no matter how little or much experience you have...

[thenightnurse456]

I doubt this needs to be an RN vs LPN thread. It could just be personality clashes that have nothing to do with people's titles or GPA. And as others have said a 6 shift orientation doesn't seem safe at all... Perhaps enquire about a longer one.

[AJJKRN]

I doubt this needs to be an RN vs LPN thread. It could just be personality clashes that have nothing to do with people's titles or GPA. And as others have said a 6 shift orientation doesn't seem safe at all... Perhaps enquire about a longer one.

I don't think it's a title debate either but do think the OP just doesn't know what they don't know and might be receiving the cold shoulder from other staff members because of outward expressions of pride. Even for an experienced nurse (I don't know if the OP is a new grad or just only new to this ED or what) but I've never seen an orientation period shorter than six months before for the ED myself. The OP may only get six shifts and no extension so if they want to stay in this position, my advice would be to learn and be open to any support and knowledge their peers may be willing to provide. It might just take learning to receive help in a more humble way rather than in an expected way for peers to provide it. We all know how things should be but this doesn't mean this is how they are ever! Got to learn how to play the politics anywhere you go...

[Fractal-5]

A couple of things stand out for me in your post. First, maybe it is due to insecurity but you spend a lot of time talking about your accomplishments and how much everyone but your coworkers "love" you and compliment you. Those are things to be proud of, but there is a fine line between being confident and coming across as though you know everything already. If we've picked up on that here is it possible that you are coming across as arrogant to your peers and they are reacting to that?

Secondly, why are you singling out only the LPN's in your complaint? Try reading through your post from an outsider's perspective and take a good look at how your actions may be perceived by others. I'm not saying it is all you, but many times we can unintentionally cause problems in our work environment by not playing the game well, so to speak. I highly recommend The Commuter's Social Skills article as a great place to start. No matter where you go you will have workplace politics and you will have to learn to navigate to succeed, no matter your skill or intelligence level.

[Gooselady, BSN, RN]

In spite of the information about your accomplishments in school, if I were in your shoes and already felt such a hostile environment, I'd find another position. If things are that hostile already, I'd bow out.

As a brand new nurse, you have to get some awareness of how you come across to others. There will be changes you and anyone will need to make, be it toning yourself down, listening more, being less defensive, or speaking up and being more assertive. This is how it is for everyone 'new' to a profession. Your social skills are as important as your nursing skills, maybe more important in some ways.

A new nurse needs a lot of insight and honesty about him/herself, and willingness to receive feedback. We all need to tweak and adjust. At the same time, no one deserves to be treated with hostility NO MATTER what you said or did. A true professional will remain polite and respectful regardless of your mistakes, whether or not they like you or whatever. An environment that tolerates hostility is an environment I would leave. It impacts every aspect of the delivery of patient care negatively.

[caliotter3]

Unfortunately, sometimes the group culture decides that a new member does not make the grade and then they decide to get rid of the interloper. You might have to find a new home, because you have no idea how far the group will go in throwing you overboard in order to get rid of you. If you must leave, you want to survive the leaving. Have seen this type of group behavior more than once. Once the group decides you are gone, you are gone.

[caliotter3]

BTW, starting your post with the statement about your 4.0 GPA says a lot about you. That may contain the key as to why the others decided so early on that you do not fit in. Something to think about.