Not so nice registered nurses

Nurses Relations

Updated:   Published

being new to a job that you have no experience at all is already hard and stressful enough.. but working with people who's downright mean and unprofessional?? OMG I hate them thats all I can say.. I just ignore them even though I know that they talk bad about my performance.. "hello I'm new!!" it's like your trying to tell a first grader to run track as fast as hs seniors..

it makes me sad that they so look down on me that they forgot that they were once in my shoe.. It's not like I'm not trying my best. there's so much too learn, it's not like I'm going to learn everything in a day. I'm already so overwhelmed and stressed out jeez

have any of you experienced this too?

1 Votes
Specializes in Trauma, Critical Care.

It's unfortunate but true. The saying "nurses eat their young" didn't come about for no reason. However, there are older experienced nurses that are wonderful and kind. Give it time. Once you get to know everyone better you may realize there's a reason they act that way (I.e something in their personal life, blunt personality). Keep your head up. Your confidence will grow and soon it won't matter what anyone says.

1 Votes
Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.

I am sorry of your experiences. When I first started, I had a similar experience. However, our facility was changing to a new EMAR program and I recently completed the training. So, when the nurses who picked on me learned that I understood the new program well, they came asking for help. In spite of how they treated me, I helped them out. I earned their respect. You will too. We are not good at everything! We have our weaknesses and our strengths. Policies and procedures change daily. I have nurses who have been at it 30 plus years who ask me questions of how we do some of the technical skills “the new way”.

1 Votes
Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
iamgabrielle said:
OMG I hate them thats all I can say.. I just ignore them

You only have control over your own attitude. Seriously and with all due respect - keep yours in check and it may help.

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I can see from your posts you are struggling. Even though you graduated 8 years ago your are a new grad.....something these nurses need to understand. be sure in your frustration you aren't "giving off" an air of being standoffish and fed up with them. But I am sure they aren't going to "spoon feed you" either. If they are really that intolerant they aren't worth wasting your time nor energy but maybe it's one big misunderstanding.

No one can make you feel inferior without your permission. - Eleanor Roosevelt.

You might need some brain sheets to help you organize your time/thoughts.

1 Votes
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

When you're having trouble getting along with your colleagues, look first to your own behavior. You are the only person you can change. ignoring your colleagues is not a good way to build mutual trust and respect. If you're stressed out and overwhelmed, you may be giving off negative vibes without even realizing it, and your colleagues may be reacting to that.

Having been a brand new nurse once, I can assure you that I've never forgotten the experience. you, however, have never been an experienced nurse charged with orienting a newbie while accomplishing your own assignment as well. Trust me, there's a lot of stress in that.

1 Votes
\ said:

When you're having trouble getting along with your colleagues, look first to your own behavior. YOU are the only person you can change. Ignoring your colleagues is not a good way to build mutual trust and respect. If you're stressed out and overwhelmed, you may be giving off negative vibes without even realizing it, and your colleagues may be reacting to that.

Having been a brand new nurse once, I can assure you that I've never forgotten the experience. You, however, have never been an experienced nurse charged with orienting a newbie while accomplishing your own assignment as well. Trust me, there's a lot of stress in that.

So it's OK for then to treat her like crap? Ummm OK.

1 Votes

I don't say much at work and I try to be really nice and friendly.. although I'm stressed out I try to keep my attitude in check. so I don't think I'm sending of negative vibes or energy towered them.. they react as if I killed a patient when I don't get to do things right away. Im trying my best that's all I can say. one day I'll be good at it that's a promise I made to myself. I just need the exp then I'm out of that hospital. I cannot work with unprofessional people. enough said thank you very much

1 Votes
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
iamgabrielle said:
I don't say much at work and I try to be really nice and friendly.. Although I'm stressed out I try to keep my attitude in check. So I don't think I'm sending of negative vibes or energy towered them.. They react as if I killed a patient when I don't get to do things right away. I'm trying my best that's all I can say. One day I'll be good at it that's a promise I made to myself. I just need the exp then I'm out of that hospital. I cannot work with unprofessional people. Enough said thank you very much

There's currently a thread about how someone was surprised and dismayed that a social, talkative nurse was hired rather than a quiet nurse with a great GPA. The reason that happens is that managers, like many people, would rather work with someone who is social. My manager expresses it like this: "We can teach them how to be good nurses, but we can't teach them how to be the people we want to work with."

Being new is stressful, and if you're not very social (don't say much at work), your attitude may come across as snobby or standoffish -- people may conclude that you're not nice. Especially if you're trying to keep your attitude in check. Just reading your posts, I wouldn't be surprised if you were sending negative vibes out. I'm not saying that you intend you, and you probably don't even realize that you do . . . But I'm guessing that you do. Now experienced folks, managers and old folks like myself ought to realize that the negative vibes are a result of you as a newbie being uncertain, stressed out and not the result of you being nasty or stuck-up. But in the moment, sometimes we don't -- we're human too.

Probably the most unhelpful thing I can tell you is to relax and try to be social . . . I just don't know any other way to say it. Maybe someone else who reads this can think of a better way to explain it.

The thing is, if you don't get to things in a timely manner, you can if not kill a patient, then at least cause them great harm. And if you're stressed and stress makes you quiet, they may not know how hard you're trying. (you are trying hard, aren't you?)

You can get some experience and then head to another hospital, but when you get that new job you'll still be there. I'm guessing that if you improve how you're interacting with your colleagues, they'll improve how they're interacting with you. As the newbie, it's your job to fit in. Good luck. I wish you well.

1 Votes
Specializes in Mental Health, Hospice Care.

This was so cool of you emse!.... I will definitely benefit from these docs.... I too am a newbie licensed nurse and can use all the help I can get.

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Nursing is so moody. I have always thought that too.We are new grads, you were once in our position too. I dont get why some of them are so mean, and talk negative about new nurses. it's fustrating!

1 Votes

You said "omg nurses are mean and unprofessional" Welcome tohealthcare.

1 Votes
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