Picked on at Work

[celtickimba]

I recently got my first job as an LVN. I was very excited at first, but, now, three weeks into it, I am upset because I am being picked on by the staff. It is my first job as a nurse and I guess I hoped that they would be nicer to me. I am thinking of trying to get another job, but, I know its very hard to get anything as a new nurse. Any ideas of a nursing position that a new grad could get, or, any ideas of nursing jobs that are more independent, and has less interaction with staff?

I am working in a place in which all the patients have Alzheimer's. I am the only nurse on duty, with a staff of CNA's, and administrative staff.

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

What makes you feel that you are being picked on?

[Purple_roses]

I'm just a CNA, but I felt this way at a particular nursing home. Nobody would talk to me and one nurse would even move directly in front of me while I was talking to another nurse; she would just completely cut off my conversation. I was confused, because I'd never met these people before, so I wasn't sure what I had done to offend them. So I just focused on taking care of the residents and being polite to the rest of the staff. I'd even pick up extra work to make their load lighter. Two months later, they started coming around. By the time I left that facility, I was actually really good friends with almost all of the staff. My point to this story is that three weeks may be too soon to call it quits (although I don't know what they're doing to you).

You could work home care or hospice, though you might need a bit more experience first.

[Mom2boysRN]

I was a newer nurse at a new job and yes some of the CNAs tested me. Stick it out and prove you belong there. Kill em with kindness, don't get involved in drama. A lot is expected of administrators, CNAs, and nurses in nursing homes. Nursing is not sunshine and rainbows. New nurses have to show they are ready to dig in and work. If you stick it out you may find people then warm to you. When there is a high turnover rate people are sometimes suspicious of the newbie because they wonder if they will stick around.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Welcome to life... Just give it back to them and they will stop! If you run away from it you will just have to deal with it at another place... so grow some ovaries and be quick witted right back at them! This isn't first grade you cannot run to your mother, teacher, or the principle!

Annie

[abbnurse]

First, congratulations on your new career!

As stated above, some people always seem to want to "test" the new employee....usually by giving you a hard time. I've never understood this, but it seems to happen everywhere. It's like a form of entertainment for petty, unhappy people.

One of the best pieces of advice I've ever gotten came from an older, experienced nurse (when I came to her with the same type of problems you are experiencing) was..... " Stay focused on your patients. Refuse to play a part in their (petty co-worker's) game. Because that's all it is, a game. " After nearly 23 years of nursing, I still have the need to repeat this to myself at times.

Hang in there! I hope you are able to connect with some experienced, professional co-workers at your new job. And allnurses can be a great source of support as well. Good luck!

[Gooselady, BSN, RN]

What does 'picking on you' mean? Those particulars are very important.

Some new nurses are kind of unprepared for the necessity of thick skin, and are kind of shocked at how task oriented nurses are, rather than people oriented (to each other).

And then sometimes, other nurses have attitude problems and need to get a grip. A new nurse's first job is to learn his/her job, in spite of how 'welcome' they feel on the staff. Much of the time, that sense of being a novice makes a new nurse sensitive to every little look.

So give specifics on what is happening. I think it will be pretty easy to tell you if it's something you need to adjust to or that you are working with a difficult staff . It does happen, and when you are a brand new nurse, it is really a tough place to be. Finding a new place to work might be in order, but before you go too far down that road, lets' hear what's happening.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

First off, I commend you for working with such severely demented patients. It takes a special kind of nurse. Kudos for that!!

Work is work and home is home. So being "picked on" is not an option. Redirect any comments back to the patient. "She thinks she is all that". "Could we focus on the patients? Mrs. Such and So has been acting out for some time. Could you direct her back to her room, please?" And move on.

You can only control your practice. Stay out of the drama and the fray. Direct accordingly. If people are not doing as you ask them, use your progressive discipline practices to change that. The goal is patient safety, not campfire songs. And with such a severe group to take care of, all of the focus needs to be on the patients.

Best wishes!

[mvm2]

Like I always tell my kids when they come to me and say their friends at school are picking on them. Ignore the bad behavior, they do it to get a rise out of you and like a PP said it is nothing but a game to some people and they get a thrill of getting a rise out of people. Ignore it dont let them see it brothers you focus on the job and you take away their fun and sooner or later they will get bored with it and stop.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

As a new nurse, being "picked on" is a highly subjective experience.

Please give us some concrete examples.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Welcome to life... Just give it back to them and they will stop! If you run away from it you will just have to deal with it at another place... so grow some ovaries and be quick witted right back at them! This isn't first grade you cannot run to your mother, teacher, or the principle!

Annie

Grow some ovaries:roflmao:. Love it.. gonna use it ! Exactly what the OP needs to do.