New Job

You have great influence over how you're treated.

This all seems like "obviously" kind of stuff but that has not been my experience...

+ Do not be late... not one minute, not ever... especially in your first year

+ Do not be lazy... do not Facebook... do not phiddle (fiddle with your phone)... never stand still unless you need to be standing still (there's always work to do)

+ Don't wait to be asked, "hey, can you help me?" Instead, keep an eye out and say, "what can I do to help you?"

+ Find those folks whom you most respect and emulate them.

+ Don't get snarky when critiqued... be worried when they stop offering advice because it can mean that they've given up on you.

+ Respect confidences and assume that what's told you is always in confidence.

+ Don't bag on the boss or on your fellow nurses... if it's happening in your presence, discretely walk away.

+ Be very cautious about "writing people up"...

+ Be mindful that, just because you're asked, "what do you think?" doesn't mean that they really want to know... be ready to parrot the expected responses

+ Don't get into the habit of cursing... lots of people do in the ED and it's a tough habit to break once you've started... trust me, I know...

+ Proactively get to know the docs... a lot of docs are stand-offish with the nurses because the nurses are stand-offish with them... most docs are pretty decent folks so far as I've experienced.

+ If you're not sure how to address somebody, ask. Recently someone said to me, "wow, you call Dr. Watson by her first name? You're brave." My reply: "Oh, I didn't realize. I asked her how she'd like me to address her and she said 'Brunhilda' is fine"

+ Don't forget... the docs aren't gods and they aren't always right... but they are always the docs and they are the ones who dictate the direction that care will proceed. Make peace with that.

Waht song said. And always remember, the er is a team sport.

Have fun. Seriously. Have fun, fluff pillows, save lives.

Thanks for the advice... Those positives you mentioned are pretty much the way I am any way. I am a hard worked eager to learn new things but refuse to be unjustly walked over. I am a leader at heart but follow what is right and refuse to get caught up in workplace gossip and disagreements that bring negativity to my department or manager. As Rudy Giuliani said: If you are not a part of the solution you are a part of the problem.

Would you guys say ER nurses are less catty or "eat their young" types of nurses than ms nurses?

I'd say ED nurses are good if you know your stuff and you're a hard worker / team player.

Mostly, they want to see that you've got something to offer the team.

I think the more you jump in, work hard, help others when you are able, keep humble, and are trainable it doesn't really matter where in the facility you are the senior nurses will respect you and your efforts to grow and realize that you will be an asset to them and the team. The ER is more of a team oriented area than med-surg is (at least in my facility), so I think these attributes show through earlier and therefore new nurses either become liked or disliked quicker than in other units.