I just started my dream job in one of the best hospitals in the City where I live, the immediate thrill of orientation rubbed off the very minute I stepped into the nurses lounge everybody looked at me with a cynical stare . I wanted to crawl under a rock and hide /die , I introduced myself and was very friendly and pleasant they didn't even crack a smile . Mind you I am not sensitive or asking for sympathy but I am completely shocked by this behavior . A younger nurse a little older then me mad dogged me during my 30 min lunch break just glaring I almost had to get up and leave it became so obvious even other people were staring at her glaring at me !?!?!?!?
I am the youngest on the unit and most unexperienced mind you I just started a week ago ,the older nurses just ignore me the techs are pushy and demanding . The doctors are very nice and pleasant , so go figure right ?
Many of the nurses have english as a second language so when they ask for something or just simply talking to me I can't understand them and it drives me crazy so I have to ask them to repeat themselves and then they get offended . The whole entire unit talks behind each others back and I was eating my lunch and one co- worker leaned over and started to questions someone elses sexuality saying so and so is very feminine and blah -blah -blah .Right infront of me it was so akward and didn't dare look up at the guy . I am feeling like this might not be a good fit for me really do not know what to do ?????
It is sad and unprofessional to see RN's acting this way. I currently experienced the same on a cardiac step down unit. I keep clear notes for about two weeks in a journal then took it to human resources and asked for a transfer. I am a 49 y/o RN with 10 years of critical care experience. I don't have the patience to deal with childish behavior or passive-aggressive nurses.
Hope you find a better place to be!
Just curious how HR responded to you? I was told that HR will side with the other nurses, and you will be out if you do such a thing? Is that true or common? If so, no one would ever want to report bad behavior and therefore, it goes on and on.
It might be the best hospital around from a non-health care provider's POV, but does that matter if it's going to be an environment that's difficult to work in? It sounds like you're a fairly new nurse, are you going to be able to learn anything in thie environment? Who is working with you/doing your orientation? Are they decent?
If you believe that the amount and types of patients are such that you can gain lots of clinical experience, then I would stay where you are for now--jobs are hard to come by. If you are not getting support from the nurse who is orienting you, --and I hope that you are--look to the policy and procedure manual, any reference materials that are available to do any of the procedures that you may need to. Any independence that you gain will only help you as you move along in your career. As far as the techs, politely and nicely--because apparently it will be up to you to model appropriate behaviors, tell them specifics--for instance--by 0830, I need you to get vitals for me--I appreciate that--thanks!! AND DO NOT ENGAGE ANY FURTHER--if that doesn't happen, then you can bring to your charge nurse specifics not just "when I ask them to do something they will not". For your lunch bring a book, a magazine, your mail--whatever you need to catch up on--Remember, these are co-workers and not friends--you have I am sure friends and family outside of work. As time goes on, you will notice clinically strong nurses that you could say "may I assist you with that" and really glean as much clinical knowledge as you can--which I hope you are doing from the nurse who is orienting you. Best of luck and really use this as merely a stepping stone to gain expereice.
My precepter is great no complaints and I am not a nurse but a nursing student in a tech position , sorry if I didn't clarify that detail. I am preparing for tomorrow this just is a stepping stone to my ultimate goal working as RN . Many of your posts helped alot and I will stick with until I am able to start and finish school and move to a different unit I really like PACU which is connected to the unit in which I work .
Ya know, I am surprised at how careless some of these sociopaths are (even for sociopaths ). I'd like to give those people who seem to think new nurses are just "new" some advice. Lots of second career people have vast experience in other fields... have built great relationships with... a few of your bosses.... and physicians... we won't ever let you know these things. We'll just let you dig your little hole yourself and eat popcorn while watching you jump right in it.
Say hi and be nice to that new RN on your floor, is my advice to ya.
Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.
Let me repeat...this is lateral violence...it is symptomatic in settings where nurses feel disrespected...
"Lateral violence happens when people who are both victims of a situation of dominance, in fact turn on each other rather than confront the system that oppresses them both. Lateral violence occurs when oppressed groups/individuals internalize feelings such as anger and rage, and manifest their feelings through behaviors such as gossip, jealousy, putdowns and blaming."
Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.
Also...go to youtube and search "lateral violence" you will find a contact number in the comments section. Good luck. Just know that this is common, unfortunately, most of us have survived it, some of us have participated.
Thank you for that insight. I am really thankful for this forum to have different views and be able to express my own frustration and know that I am not alone in these feelings.
Being the new guy is no fun, even if everyone is nice. You want to fit in, you want to be a team player, and you don't want to cross anyone.
The way I see it, as the new guy in my department, I have to prove myself. In an ideal world, I *shouldn't* have to prove myself, but I can see the writing on the wall. If I screw up and tick someone off, I have damage control to do. I won't walk in there with a subserviant attitude and do everything just to please my coworkers, but what I will do is put my head down and just work my tail off and do the best I can, and help others when I can, and try to get to know people a little.
also...go to youtube and search "lateral violence" you will find a contact number in the comments section. good luck. just know that this is common, unfortunately, most of us have survived it, some of us have participated.
thanks for that. these are great. it's abuse at work, and as a new member of the staff, i saw it from day one. it is most hurtful when you witness this against patients, especially the elderly.
My precepter is great no complaints and I am not a nurse but a nursing student in a tech position , sorry if I didn't clarify that detail. I am preparing for tomorrow this just is a stepping stone to my ultimate goal working as RN . Many of your posts helped alot and I will stick with until I am able to start and finish school and move to a different unit I really like PACU which is connected to the unit in which I work .
PACU is a great unit to work on! I loved it. Just be mindful that some PACUs will not take new grads. Some require a year of experience, and preferably in critical care (ICU or ER).
). I'd like to give those people who seem to think new nurses are just "new" some advice. Lots of second career people have vast experience in other fields... have built great relationships with... a few of your bosses.... and physicians... we won't ever let you know these things. We'll just let you dig your little hole yourself and eat popcorn while watching you jump right in it.
cardiocarestudent
6 Posts
Just curious how HR responded to you? I was told that HR will side with the other nurses, and you will be out if you do such a thing? Is that true or common? If so, no one would ever want to report bad behavior and therefore, it goes on and on.