New Grad...need help dealing with super negative staff!

[ZenStudent]

I graduated in May and finally just started working on a med/surg floor far far away from home. I took the job and moved across the county because it was the only job I could find. I am so very grateful to be working and I am making the best of living somewhere I never would have chosen to live otherwise. I am working at a hospital with very high turnover of nurses. I feel like all day long all anyone does is complain and talk about how they can't wait to leave. Every time something happens they complain and talk about how much they hate working there and can't wait till they can leave. Lots and lots of people are telling me they are putting in their notice and tell me that they just keep hiring and losing people. I can honestly say the hospital is not that bad and they are doing the absolute best they can do. The area is saturated with people because of the oil boom and the community is really having a hard time keeping up with the population explosion. I just felt so discouraged today to meet my preceptor only to hear about how much she hates working here and can't wait to leave. (she has only been a nurse for 6 months and also graduated this past spring and she is my preceptor--crazy I know.)

So how does everyone cope with the negativity? I feel like no one is worried about the patients, and as a new nurse I feel like I have to rely on myself more than I should. I don't know if this is normal or if I am really in a place that is going to crumble with this kind of negative energy. I want to learn and grow and be a great nurse, and I don't know who is going to help me along. Can I do it on my own?

[RNkm84]

I had to respond when I read this. I also moved across the country for my first RN job in May of 2010, to a hospital in the middle of nowhere with horrible morale. There was very high turnover, we were always understaffed, everyone was negative, I was terrified every night that I worked, and I was precepting newer nurses as soon as I was off of my 3 month orientation... all I can say is hang in there. Try to stay away from the negativity and do your job. Find the people that you know you can learn from and stick with them. In my case, I just kept applying and applying back home until I got a job. I ended up only having to spend 8 months there, but it was a rough 8 months! Once you have your experience you can get out of that toxic environment and move on. Good luck, and try to stay positive. It will make you a stronger nurse in the end :-)

[rrockstar88, BSN, RN]

Dear Zen,

Sorry for the challenges you are facing. I graduated the same time you did and I was wondering if you could tell me the geographical area (city/state) you are working in. Did you move from a compact state? I live in California and we are not a part of the compact, so I have to apply for endorsement if I want to work out of state. Prospective employers have told me it takes a long time to get an endorsement. Just information gathering here... sorry if this is off-topic. :chair:

[malaya]

I am about to make that move to where you are, would you advise me not to? thanks for your help.