New RN being bullied, 7 months in, quit?

[lovelyrn1]

The workplace I work in is mentally and emotionally exhausting me.

I feel miserable when I work with certain people. They talk behind my back. Negative. Judge your practice and not helping. They watch you suffer and laugh about it. I have other great coworkers who help me out and support me but they are not in my rotation. People I work with are miserable people and kill my spirit. We also have a doctor who bullies new nurses and nurses who are slow. there is no teamwork. patient load is way too high. 8 during the day and 20 during the night with help of aids.

I love my job, I love 90% of the coworkers. But management sucks, I get bullied by lab techs too who yells at me and tells other nurses I am not competent.

I am a good nurse. I work hard, patients love my care and I follow the correct nursing standards. I am still learning I am positive. People tell me I do good but there are those certain people that just bully me for no reason. Maybe because I don't have strong personality. I am into my 7 months. I want to leave this place. I moved from my home to work here. I don't deserve the crap that I am getting from my coworkers. I get no respect.

But I am scared I will be jobless and my career as a nurse will end if I leave before getting another job. I am applying, it has been about 2 weeks since I have been actively applying but I am receiving no response. I want to succeed as a nurse and later as a good manager.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. And yes I asked my manager for help, nothing was done. Bullying by those certain people (3-4 in total) began since day 1. I am not the only victim but nothing has been done (a few new grads left due to bullying) I miss my family and friends what should I do

[lovelyrn1]

Thanks everyone.

I have been getting multiple interviews recently.

Spending lots of money for travelling accommodation + applying for licenses. But I think it is worth it! Cant wait to get away from this small society and start all over again! Will keep you updated

[RNdynamic]

8 to 20 patients?? Is this acute care? ?

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Kick bully post above is great. I think finding your anger and staying in emotional control will get you through. Also reading about bullying may give you some perspective . it is just the way some people are but you don't have to take it. I think you have to feel you are worth fighting for and tell them to back off at the same time. Best wishes.

That kick bull website helped me so much with actual tools to deal with the male bully who I work with that has a pathological jealousy in regards to me.He can't stand that I am a great IV nurse..so he attacks me and management and HR are well aware of his sick antics but without these tools it worse because I will not take his abuse!

[YumCookies, BSN, RN]

OP - I am a new grad myself who has worked at a SNF for 11 months now. At my current workplace the acuity is increasing while staffing continues to suffer and morale is quite poor on most days leading to a more negative work culture. Here are some things that has helped me so far and may help you.

+ Accept that people will talk behind you back. I hear gossip all the time, I am sure they do the same when I am not there. Why does it matter - just be there for you patients and do you job. Be kind and respectful to everyone, and help out when you can - even if they may not reciprocate.

+ If someone yells at me or is rude - call them of it! A lot of it is just stress and nothing personal, and they may not even realize that they are offending you. Be simple and directly i.e "Excuse me that wasn't very nice..." or "I felt offended when you...". If you hear someone talk about you doing a poor job say something like "Excuse me but I don't appreciate being talked about behind my back...if there is a problem please come to me about it so we can come up with a solution." I still feel very uncomfortable confronting people like this as it is not in my nature but most people respond well when I do.

+ I used to worry a lot (and still do at times) about what people think of me and worrying about making people upset. I have learned that nursing is way too hectic and there is too much going on to waste time on that - just focus on what you need to do for your patients.

+ Just like negativity can be contagious, so can positivity. Come into work with a smile and have fun at work where you can. Crack jokes with coworkers/residents, maybe bring in baked goods now and then. Sounds cheesy but it can help increase morale and make the workplace more of a pleasant place for those around you.

+ Something I've been working on recently: just like you put 100% into you work, put 100% into play/relaxation. Instead of doing some unsatisfying/mindless activity (i.e Facebook), do something that you truly enjoy or passionate about, or something that really relaxes you.

I hope this helps OP :) good luck!

[KathyAnne31]

I am so sorry you are going through this. I have heard of some nurses calling this behavior "eating your young" it is wrong and new graduates should be supported by their colleagues as this is a difficult time in your career. The ones that are the bullies should be dealt with but you should not be the one to correct them. First you need to find out if you must be with this hospital for a minimum amount of time before you resign as not to be a no rehire. You may need this hospital again in your career. If you are in a small area this is very important. I live in such an area that has one hospital. Then try for a transfer to another shift or unit. Do not think you are alone because you are not I feel sure others have gone through this also on this unit. Don't stay long enough to become ill it is not worth that but try to find at least one person on the unit that does not treat you like this not to talk to about this subject but someone to go to with questions. With 7 months in you may either be close to being able to quit without having it held against you if you are at that point you can quit without it being held against you either find another unit or another job. I think seven months to go through this is a long time. My best to you and Go where you can be happy.

[srercg]

I don't get it - nurses are SUPPOSED to be the most trusted profession. Then we go to work, and there always seems to be some nasty nurse, who feels like they always have to make themselves look better, usually by making others somehow look bad. So instead of helping co-workers, they take the opportunity to look for their mistakes, their weaknesses and use it against them. What are they doing - getting rid of competition? They think they make themselves look good to management for reporting their co-workers instead of helping them, and if that's true - there's a screw loose in management as well. This kind of behavior should NOT be rewarded. They should promote teamwork, and helping each other out - ESPECIALLY new nurses.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Thanks everyone.

I have been getting multiple interviews recently.

Spending lots of money for travelling accommodation + applying for licenses. But I think it is worth it! Cant wait to get away from this small society and start all over again! Will keep you updated

You described universal issues within nursing.

A change of venue may or may not change them.

"People I work with are miserable people and kill my spirit. "

You are responsible for your spirit, no one can kill it.

[lovelyrn1]

Yes Acute care!