Nursing New Grad Bullying 101

[namaste1]

It seems as though I've put myself in a predicament in which I had no intention in creating enemies.

I graduated in December 2014 and began working at a care home for 6 months (which is a whole other story), I have recently been hired at an Urgent Care and have been working there for 1 month and a half now.

I get along with most providers, but there is one doctor who has been tough on me on my very first day. She yelled at me for things like not having the patient in gowns and not putting the UA results in on time. It has been a while since I have worked with her, and last week I worked with her for 3 days in a row. The setting is fast-paced and typically I am the only RN, 1 medical assistant and an X-ray tech triaging and treating at least 40-50 patients a day. One of those days I left the safety needle out, but engaged and failed to put in the sharps. I knew this was a bad mistake and I apologized. I also have not much practice with IVs, but am definitely always willing to learn. However, after the sharps incident I noticed she has acted very different with me. The next day she pulled aside my manager in the room and I knew they were talking about me. She basically has told my manager that I am too timid, I left the sharps out, I cannot do IVs, and I did not make a wound dressing tight enough.. just the tip. I have started an IV the other day, but she still had some complaints about me. I am not sure what else she has said, but I just feel very uncomfortable around her. It was a rough day because she inquired me about every thing that I did. My manager said that it was fine and to make sure that I act more confident and assertive. The day went alright, except at the end I realized that I used the wrong swab for GC/Chlamydia- which means we had to call them back in to do another swab. I felt so bad and had to tell my manager and she was very upset saying, "If you make another mistake you won't be here much longer."

I feel horrible about the situation and I am going to work tomorrow. I know I have a lot of potential and love working with the patients, but feel that the environment is hostile. I am also afraid of being fired. I hear so many stories of new grads being fired before their 3 months without reason. Not sure if I should stick it out or quit. Because of course it would look horrible on my resume, but I do not see it worth working in an uncomfortable environment. It's just tough because I feel like the doctor has ruined my reputation and is very close with the manager. So I'm not sure if I stand a chance.

Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this. Very much appreciated.

[YumCookies, BSN, RN]

This doesn't sound like bullying to me but a genuine concern about the way you practice...I would sit down with your manager about how you can improve. Get a sense of what her expectations are out of you. If you are called out on another mistake, say something like "Sorry about that. How can I fix it/do better next time?" You say you have the willingness to learn - make this apparent. If this STILL doesn't work than I would just find another job. Good luck OP.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

It doesn't sound like bullying to me either.

Sometimes people are not friendly. That happens in any job. The doctor may be one of those...one who is there to do the job and go home, and little time for niceties. She might just want you to do things correctly, period. That's not bullying.

Maybe she's having a hard day and her yelling is part of that?

You've made some mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. You're new, so you'll probably make more mistakes and feel more nervous than someone who isn't a newbie. Take each as a learning experience and make at least a mental note on what you could do to prevent the same thing from happening again. I agree that you should ask your manager (and the doctor too!) for suggestions on how to be better at your job.

You've only been there a month and a half. What do you like about the job? Weigh the good vs. the bad. Don't quit just because you feel uncomfy. It can take a year or more to feel comfy in a job, even when everyone there is wonderful. It also takes awhile to feel like you're part of the clique that's present in any employment situation.

[namaste1]

Thanks so much for the reply. I guess I am so nervous to go into work because I know I am on everyone's bad side and am pretty afraid of being terminated after hearing so many stories. But yes, definitely I am still figuring out what is the right way.

[namaste1]

Thank you for the reply. I am very nervous honestly lol. She wants me to be more confident/assertive.. but at the end of the shift she told me that if I make another mistake I would be fired. Which is really stressing me out. I guess I wish that the doctor went straight to me instead of my manager

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I bet you're not on everyone's bad side. It just feels that way because you want everyone to respect your skills, and you want not make mistakes!

Talk to your manager about what to do to make things better. That way she'll know you realize you need to improve.

As for being more confident/assertive...sometimes it helps to "fake it 'til you make it." Talking to your manager is also assertiveness in action.

[namaste1]

Thank you, yes I need to definitely should speak with her. Hope you have a great night! Wish me luck

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

I don't see bullying in this situation. It sounds to me like the doctor expects you to know how to do your job- but you are new, and the learning curve is steep, so you are going to make mistakes. Own your mistakes and learn from them.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

You are concerned about your little world of doing your job. The doctor is concerned by much more. You are not being bullied, for you it is a job, for the doctor, they are running a business and have employees depending on them to keep the business successful so they continue to get a paycheck. The doctor wants to get the work done and get home. You slowing him down might cause him to get behind and stay late. If he is staying late, then staff is staying late which causes more expense in wages. He is also concerned about the clinics reputation. Having done a procedure wrong and causing a patient to return to get it done right doesn't look good for the clinic. Your time management and skill level will increase as you get experience.

[namaste1]

Update:

I actually spoke with my manager regarding the situation and told her that I felt intimidated by the doctor and that she should go directly to me or we can have a meeting about my performance. She understood and told the doctor that she needs to ease up and be more welcoming towards new staff. I worked with the doctor yesterday and everything was fine- for new grads, always speak up if you feel uncomfortable in a working situation.