New Job Advice

LibraNurse27, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2021

I think the time management and getting used to the job/getting to know the residents will get better. It sounds like you're already establishing a routine and recognizing things about residents. Unfortunately the work environment may not get better =( I quit a job after 5 months due to a toxic work environment. No teamwork, constant complaining, belittling others to their face and behind their backs. Yuck! I wasn't personally bullied but listening to the others talk s**t about each other and trying to talk to me about others was too much.

They laughed at me for calling a patient who I had sent to ER (it was an urgent care) and said "Why do you care?" That was too much for me, don't want to work somewhere where they don't care about pts. You may be able to "toughen up" or get "in" with these people if you want to make the effort, but if there are other better jobs easily available to you maybe move on!

Davey Do · Jan 4, 2021

13 hours ago, Neveah. said:

I just feel really defeated. LTC is the hardest job I've ever had and will it ever get better? I just really needed to let it out and if any of you have advice for me, please let me know.

Thank you. ❤️

59 minutes ago, LibraNurse27 said:

I think the time management and getting used to the job/getting to know the residents will get better. It sounds like you're already establishing a routine and recognizing things about residents. Unfortunately the work environment may not get better

Agreed.

I could chime in with similar stories, but they are no more interesting than yours, Neveah. Or yours, LibraNurse.

My heart does go out to you, Neveah, especially since I sense you are a high quality person and nurse.

Good luck and the very, very best to you!

amoLucia · Jan 4, 2021

Just think of that old disco Gloria Gaynor song, "I Will Survive". And you will survive! It's just that LTC/NH is ROUGH, even for the experienced LTC veteran.

Starting any new job will be stressful, and then also when you're crossing over specialties, like your doing getting back into more direct hands-on care. And then you get nasty, crabby meannies whose sole purpose in life seems to be to make your life miserable! They're pretty much everywhere.

While your facility sounds a bit archaic & behind the times, it does sounds much like many others. LTC is a 'rare bird' and to be honest, it does take strength & fortitude to fit in and then to 'find your groove'.

Don't expect 'perfection' from yourself as you start. Strive for 'excellence'. There's a BIG difference. As for your coworkers - try 'killing them with kindness'. Compliment them and 'thanks' go a long way. Even though you may be swamped, offer a hand unexpectedly when you can. Catch 'em off guard!

And then there's that old standby - food! Pretend you're extending an old habit from your last job where you used to bring in donuts on payday.

Now I know some folk out here may say I'm just pandering to old habits, and that REAL professionals shouldn't have to resort to such hokey 'tricks'. But you work in an industry that's very S L O W to change. And one that really doesn't WANT to change.

So what you're experiencing is pretty common; you just have to work around it. I'm guessing you're resilient and industrious enough to find your niche.

Good luck to you.

A Happy, Healthy & Safe New Years to you & others reading along.

Neveah. · Jan 8, 2021

On 1/4/2021 at 9:57 AM, LibraNurse27 said:

I think the time management and getting used to the job/getting to know the residents will get better. It sounds like you're already establishing a routine and recognizing things about residents. Unfortunately the work environment may not get better =( I quit a job after 5 months due to a toxic work environment. No teamwork, constant complaining, belittling others to their face and behind their backs. Yuck! I wasn't personally bullied but listening to the others talk s**t about each other and trying to talk to me about others was too much.

They laughed at me for calling a patient who I had sent to ER (it was an urgent care) and said "Why do you care?" That was too much for me, don't want to work somewhere where they don't care about pts. You may be able to "toughen up" or get "in" with these people if you want to make the effort, but if there are other better jobs easily available to you maybe move on!

I think you're totally right about the work environment not getting better. ? Whenever I stayed in a job, it's because I enjoyed the people I worked with. I'm still feeling everyone out, it's sad that I need to be this way. It's pretty crazy to be laughed at for caring and that's what bugs me too. For getting laughed at for wanting to do the right thing. I'll see how it goes, I'll try not to listen to their drama which will be hard since I hear them saying bad things about others during report or I end up overhearing it. Thank you for the advice ?❤️. Happy new year.

On 1/4/2021 at 10:56 AM, Davey Do said:

Agreed.

I could chime in with similar stories, but they are no more interesting than yours, Neveah. Or yours, LibraNurse.

My heart does go out to you, Neveah, especially since I sense you are a high quality person and nurse.

Good luck and the very, very best to you!

Thank you Davey! ❤️ Happy new year!

Neveah. · Jan 8, 2021

On 1/4/2021 at 11:02 AM, amoLucia said:

Just think of that old disco Gloria Gaynor song, "I Will Survive". And you will survive! It's just that LTC/NH is ROUGH, even for the experienced LTC veteran.

Starting any new job will be stressful, and then also when you're crossing over specialties, like your doing getting back into more direct hands-on care. And then you get nasty, crabby meannies whose sole purpose in life seems to be to make your life miserable! They're pretty much everywhere.

While your facility sounds a bit archaic & behind the times, it does sounds much like many others. LTC is a 'rare bird' and to be honest, it does take strength & fortitude to fit in and then to 'find your groove'.

Don't expect 'perfection' from yourself as you start. Strive for 'excellence'. There's a BIG difference. As for your coworkers - try 'killing them with kindness'. Compliment them and 'thanks' go a long way. Even though you may be swamped, offer a hand unexpectedly when you can. Catch 'em off guard!

And then there's that old standby - food! Pretend you're extending an old habit from your last job where you used to bring in donuts on payday.

Now I know some folk out here may say I'm just pandering to old habits, and that REAL professionals shouldn't have to resort to such hokey 'tricks'. But you work in an industry that's very S L O W to change. And one that really doesn't WANT to change.

So what you're experiencing is pretty common; you just have to work around it. I'm guessing you're resilient and industrious enough to find your niche.

Good luck to you.

A Happy, Healthy & Safe New Years to you & others reading along.

Thank you amoLucia for the advice. You're absolutely right, kill them with kindness & food! I'll definitely be rocking the song "I Will Survive" for all my shifts moving forward. Happy new year. ❤️

speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 9, 2021

I had a similar experience in an ER once, Neveah.....LibraNurse’s experience sounded very much like what I went through. However, I actually did go through nurse bullying which is something I had never experienced until that job. It was a lot of strong personalities, toxic atmosphere, and a whole lot of drama. I stayed about 9 months and couldn’t get out fast enough.

Everyone has given you great advice. I always feel like every job is worth a little effort to see if things improve, but if not, then there really are better teams out there.

RehabNurs · Jan 9, 2021

I started out as a LTC nurse. It’s true, everyone was backstabbing...towards me too. I experienced more cattiness in the nursing home than I ever did in a hospital. Two aides went against me because they said I didn’t help them enough with aide work. They expected me to drop my Med pass and help them with changing briefs/emptying foleys. Um...NO. I told them I was completing my Med pass and that I will help them when I’m done. Sometimes you have to be stern and not let them boss you around. Set boundaries. They want you to do their work for them so they can do less. If it’s a safety concern, tell them you can help them when you’re done.

Neveah. · Jan 18, 2021

On 1/8/2021 at 4:07 PM, RehabNurs said:

I started out as a LTC nurse. It’s true, everyone was backstabbing...towards me too. I experienced more cattiness in the nursing home than I ever did in a hospital. Two aides went against me because they said I didn’t help them enough with aide work. They expected me to drop my Med pass and help them with changing briefs/emptying foleys. Um...NO. I told them I was completing my Med pass and that I will help them when I’m done. Sometimes you have to be stern and not let them boss you around. Set boundaries. They want you to do their work for them so they can do less. If it’s a safety concern, tell them you can help them when you’re done.

RehabNurse, yes I agree! LTC now that I'm here, I know there's a lot on their plate but there's a lot on our plate as a nurse too especially if you're the only nurse on that unit. There's three CNAS on my unit I don't get along with because they give me sass if things don't go their way. I understand they're burnt out but I am too and there's just way too much to do. It's just hard because I really want to help others but I've got my own stuff to care for too. I worked nights and so the nursing sup came up on my unit at 0600 that a CNA called out and instructed me to inform the day shift that they'll have to share a CNA between another unit, so I informed day shift and there were two cnas really mad at me. Both totally snapped and told me they can't work short one person or have a half body (since the other is floating). I felt really uncomfortable, discouraged, and down right stupid because I didn't know. I was just relaying information. The day shift nurse overheard and took over, she was upset too and told me I need to put my foot down etc. But the whole point is I didn't know. They're always short one body and the other cnas just go with it so I thought it was OK. I'm sorry I'm just letting it out. But I really appreciate your response. ❤️ I will put my foot down and just be stern. If I can help then I can, if I can't then I can't.

Neveah. · Jan 18, 2021

On 1/8/2021 at 2:49 PM, speedynurse said:

I had a similar experience in an ER once, Neveah.....LibraNurse’s experience sounded very much like what I went through. However, I actually did go through nurse bullying which is something I had never experienced until that job. It was a lot of strong personalities, toxic atmosphere, and a whole lot of drama. I stayed about 9 months and couldn’t get out fast enough.

Everyone has given you great advice. I always feel like every job is worth a little effort to see if things improve, but if not, then there really are better teams out there.

It makes me sad just hearing this. Yes everyone has given me great advice and I'm thankful for your response too. We'll see, it's just disheartening going to work and encountering this. Thank you!