New Nurse with questions for the experienced...

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hi folks-I am 43 years old and 7 months into my new career. I am an LPN, and waited until my kids were older (16 and 17) to pursue this. I work in a small, private LTC facility...some days I love it and know that I will get my RN, and other days I feel like I am in over my head. Im always invited to ask questions, and believe me, I have them! However, the other nurses are either too busy or dont want to be bothered. Ive had concerns about residents that were not taken seriously, and thats frustrating. Ive been yelled at, ignored, and belittled in front of family members by some of my peers-Is this what is meant by "nurses eat their young"? Im looking for some advice on coping-Ive never been confrontational, and dont want to be now. Is this typical behavior? I want to be a succesful nurse, but not at the expense of my own well being.

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get another job somewhere else

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I hate to mention this but I've personally seen it before, is it because you're an LPN? Don't get me wrong, to me we are all nurses but I've seen fellow RN's act just like you're describing toward LPN's but be as sweet and nice as can be to new grad RN's... It's wrong and I'm not saying that's what's going on (I really hope it's not), though it sounds like you need to talk to management, HR, someone you trust because you can't continue to work like this. It's never ok for patients or families to see staff not getting along! I'm a charge nurse of a 61 bed skilled/nursing home facility and I would not tolerate any of the behaviors you mentioned! I want to know these things (but I'm sure not all charge nurses do), because I want happy employees. Let us know how it goes but talk to someone, this is not ok...

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Ive never been confrontational, and dont want to be now.
Unfortunately, workplace bullies seek out the easiest target, which is the nonconfrontational coworker who does not respond defensively when he/she is being treated badly. Some people are treated like garbage at work, right next to coworkers who are never targeted. Sadly, certain people become targets for yelling and verbal abuse in the workplace while others are always left untouched.

I wrote about this phenomenon a few months ago, along with my personal ways of dealing with it. Some people might not agree with my tactics, but they work for me.

https://allnurses.com/nurse-colleague-patient/why-do-people-818176.html

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Specializes in Orthopedics, and Home care.

I too am a new LPN , and felt the same way about some of the people I worked with at a long term care facility.. I quit , and now I'm working on a med surg flor at a hospital . I get more support from everyone .. I'm still learning and ask lots of questions , I feel everyone is always helpful..

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Ive thought about another job, but I want to make sure I have done everything I can. Right now my hours are so flexable, and thats what I need for school. RNMom-the rn's are fine-its the 2 charge lpns that fill in that give me a hard time. I have talked to the DON-and while she lent an ear, it was ineffective. Commuter-WOW! In comparison, my situation fits your list to a T(im not fiesty though) I love your article, and will refer to it often. I cant see myself yelling back, but I will teach myself to respond quickly, and not have that "deer in the head light look" when Im being bashed. Thank you tbelow-that is my goal, but I have a heavy fall semester, and want to get through that first. So glad it worked out for you-it gives me hope:)

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I'm also a new nurse at age 44. I just got my RN license in Feb.

I'm so sorry you're going thru this. I had tough times during my 16 year career as a CNA because I was an easy target as well. I'm very nonconfrontational.

The unit I am on now, a medical floor at a hospital, is very team oriented and a great place to work. Everyone has been so nice and so helpful.

Since you're job is flexible with your school hours, I would try and stick it out until you get your RN and then if things don't change, I would leave.

Who wants to work in a hostile environment? It would be miserable.

Good luck to you!

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Could it be that the two LPNs are jealous that you'll be an *RN* & they will still be LPNs? Possibility.

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You just gotta stand up for yourself, but in a non defensive way. I too was very non confrontational, and I'm not now, I would just say I am firm. I listen to others, ask questions, give support to my co workers when they ask or are unable to do something themselves so I see no reason why another co worker should talk so nasty to me and I honestly just say that. I don't do the run to boss and tell on nurse x because she is a brat or talk to the other nurses about nurse x because I would rather face it head on with the person. 99% of the time, grumpy nurse is so surprised by it we end up having a way better working relationship. The other 1%..well they usually don't last long anyways so they take care it for me themselves lol. There is a quote, I will say it wrong but it goes something like " no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.". It's so true and it helps to repeat this to yourself in these situations. Good luck!

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