New Nurse...little Tired!!

[RNcorazon]

:nurse:i started working in the telemetry floor 6 months ago, i started as a nurse tech and after i passed my boards i was the new nurse in the blook. my preceptor is a great nurse, and a excelent person, she did complement my job everyday, she said i should be proud of myself for everything i do, & how quick i learn. my charge nurse, also make me felt good about my nursing skills, always having positive comments, but something change along the way, my preceptor time was over and i had to be by myself taking care of 6 patients. i was up to the challenge, very positive and confident on my nursing skills, but most of all, i knew i could ask any question to my charge nurse, who was so easy to approach.

now, everything change, another nurse is in charge, i am really afraid of asking a simple, very simple questions...i have a hard time to finish my work on time, and the night shift nurses started gossiping about me, i overheard some of the things they say...I don't know what went wrong!!! i need help...i found myself crying already so many times...more out the normal, i didn't know i was so weak!!!. i am thinking about quiting, maybe its just to much for me...i being yelled from patients, yelled from other nurses, including the charge nurse...who did scream to me in front of everybody for missing out a dose of antibiotics that was q48hrs, i did give it but late.

i really though i can make the first year, but for some reason evrything went wrong, on top of that i feel very lonely, because i can't talk to the people in my unit, the charge nurse started talking about me and now, they look for any little thing a may miss during my shift...

i want to know from most experience nurses, it is time to look for another job, everywhere is like this? or what should i do? i really don't want to quit my job, i love being a nurse and taking care of patients...i also need the money, since my husband lost his job recently. some advice may help. thanks

[RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN]

Don't run from the problem, confront it! I know you want to leave, and I've done the same thing before, I ran. Being on the other side and seeing someone want to run makes me see that it shouldn't be this way. At least, ask for a transfer or something, just don't run from the problem. You may have the same problem at a new job.

Just stick it out, show them your strong. Ignore it. I think they talk about me at my work too, but I come home to my wonderful family. I don't let them get to me.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

RNcorazon,

Sorry you are feeling so sad and lost. But you need to realize that nothing is going to get better unless you take action. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt -- "no one can make you a victim without your permission".

Stop being a victim. Make an appointment to talk to your Supervisor as soon as possible... not the charge nurse, but the manager who is responsible for the unit. Tell her how you feel, and why you feel that way. If she does not respond in a way that helps you....

Make an appointment to speak with your Employee Relations person in Human Resources. They have many different names - it may be something else in your facility. Let them know that you are experiencing hostility in your department.

Confront others when you need to. Ask them directly "why are you saying bad things about me?" You may be surprised at their reaction. Bullies never like to be called out.

Hang in there.

[RNcorazon]

thanks...no, deep inside I don't want to run from the problem, i did make an appointment with one of my supervisors to let them know how i feel, if there is anything i need to work on, i really want to know, but i am only human...and no a "super nurse", especially with my experience being so limited.

I think, i get very emotional because i don't have my family with me...but they are really proud of me...and that makes me keep going.

i better take all this w/ a positive attitude, and learn from this experience, so one day i can be a very good nurse, maybe not a supernurse...but one of the good ones.

[PICURN74, ASN, RN]

I don't care what mistake you make, Screaming at people is never ok. I agree that you should confront the situation, talk with the people you are having a problem with if you can and then work your way up the ladder NM, HR whomever it takes. Hang in there!