New nurse getting eaten alive

[JSlice., ASN, RN]

I recently graduated nursing school (May 2010), took my state boards, and passed. Right out of nursing school I was offered a job in an ER. I have been working there since.

Some of the staff is great to work with but some don't believe a new graduate should be in the ER and are very difficult to work with.

The Director of the ER is aware of what's going on and states the "preceptors don't know how to be preceptors." Graduating nursing school was a great accomplishment for me, but now that I"m in the "real world" it seems that the nurses think and treat me less because I have "less experience" than they do.

Does anybody have advice in the situation?

[smitty10]

you know what, some people are just miserable!!! and their only means of life is to make others feel as miserable as them.

You have accomplished alot and don't let them steal your joy!!!!!!!

it's not you they need to focus their negative energy on, it's the HR dept. who write the qualifications.

next time they act funky, tell them to take it up with HR ,because evidently, they feel like YOU ARE qualified to work there and draw a paycheck, which those other nurses do not sign!!!!

hope this helps, and keep your head up!!!!

smitty G.N.

[lweatherby]

Unfortunately, you will encounter negative people no matter where you work. How quickly we forget how it is to be a new nurse! I cannot understand how an experienced nurse can be anything less than respectful and helpful to a new grad, but it happens all the time. It really makes no sense..... if you don't like working with an inexperienced nurse, then HELP HER GET EXPERIENCED!!!! Pouting, rudeness, arrogance and disresptectful attitudes do nothing to create an environment in which a new nurse can learn and flourish. It only makes sense to be supportive and helpful so that the new nurse can more quickly become a productive part of the team.

If you love the ER, then just keep working. You can't be new forever!! I know it is difficult to work with the negative people, so you just have to ignore their ignorance and don't take it personally. This experience will make you a GREAT preceptor some day. This an area that really needs to be addressed throughout the nursing field. Maybe some day you can do something to improve the way new grads are accepted into the nursing world.

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

I have heard a lot of this happening. I was offered a position in Med/Tele after I graduate. I know it is different than ER, but I anticipate receiving the same treatment. It has been my experience that once I learn a position, I begin gaining the respect of my co-workers. So, I am going in with the same mentality. I will be respectful to everyone and help out when needed. I will not allow one’s negativity to influence my ability to perform my job duties. After all, the job description clearly states that my responsibility is to my patient, but the other floor nurses J Some people feel they need to make friends at work. I simply am not one of them. I make acquaintances at work although I have made one friend from my previous place of employment.

Anyways, good luck to you. You were hired in that position because someone seen your potential. Don’t allow the current situation deter you from what you want to do.

[GGT1]

Exactly why I chose Medical-Oncology over ED. I worked in the ED my last year of nursing school. I learned SOOO much... more than any clinical experience could have offered. But it was hard, the personalities are strong, people are not always very nice, and it's rare that you are shown appreciation.... just not a caring place.

However, if you can make it in the ED, you can make it anywhere (kinda like NY). So try not to worry about what people think... and soak up all the knowledge you can get.

Good Luck!

[calledtodo]

Chances are most of the nurses working there were treated the same way. It most likely isn't you.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

This will pass, you can only be the "new grad" for so long. Just do your best, ask questions, study and learn. You probably know by now who the good ones are so stick by them as best you can. Focus on your patients, that's why you got into this whole thing. Ignore your negative colleagues as best you can. New and in the ER is pretty intense. You will be less overwhelmed as time goes on. Keep going, good luck!