plantsower

You're welcome. I know you will make the right choices because you are thinking this through.

Hi: I'm not sure just observing the nurses will help. Especially if yo are trying to see if they are nice or not. That's only one situation and you don't know if they have worked together for a long time or really what the dynamics are. Working in some sort of medical capacity does make sense though. It gives you background and everything isn't so foreign after awhile. I know when I went to nursing school, except for the fact that I had been a medical transcriptionist for over 10 years, I had no medical background. The medical transcription background really helped because I knew the terminology. But when it came to hands on, I wished I had been a CNA or something similar because that was practical experience with patients (or clients as they are called now) and the medical atmosphere. I kind of envied those that were in school with that background because they were much more comfortable during clinical experiences. Just a thought.

Unfortunately, there ARE bullies or rude nurses. That shocked me. I experienced it big time as a new nurse and I WASN'T LOOKING FOR IT! It started when I was a nursing student and I was bullied by a teacher. She didn't like the fact that I wrote down the steps to doing IV's because it seemed complicated and I didn't learn by watching it done once. She tried to get me kicked out of nursing school. I was upset and told one of my fellow students whom she favored. He talked to her and it stopped. I was then bullied as a working student at a hospital because I didn't know what to do at every turn. I WAS A STUDENT!!! The staff is supposed to teach and be supportive. They were not. I was bullied at my first job because I asked a question about something in the supply room. Tension was building up. I changed jobs and was bullied there by a nurse for something I asked her. I blew up. I finally stood up for myself and said, "Don't you ever talk to me like that again." She backed off and apologized. I'd had it. I was a straight "A" student in school. But other students and nurses would always say, "students that get straight "A's" don't always make good nurses. They don't always have what it takes." Wow! OK. I can tell you that when I had a supportive teacher or environment, I excelled. When I was intimidated, I was a nervous wreck and was afraid to ask questions and was miserable. Shame on all the nurses who forget what it's like to be new! Anyway, after I blew up, I had no more problems with that kind of nurse. Eventually, I worked at a nurse call center and almost everyone there was nice. There was one nurse who was rude to me in the beginning, and I let her know how I felt about it in no uncertain terms. She backed down, too. Bullies always do when you confront them. They know they are wrong but God knows why they act like that. I am now retired and much happier. I wish I could tell you where to work without that kind of tension but I can't. I think it sometimes has to do with the management and how you handle that kind of verbal abuse. When you are new and unsure, it's difficult to combat. When you are more sure of yourself and your skills, it's easier. They say bullies are everywhere, but nursing was where I found them the most, unfortunately. I assume that's why that book "Nurses eat their Young" was written. I would have loved nursing a lot more had I not had that kind of experience. I did love the patients. If you really want to be a nurse, then go be a nurse. You can move around to different jobs to find out where you fit in. It's best to get at least a year of med-surg under your belt so you can handle most things wherever you go. That's the hard part; staying at a facility to get those skills, even if you have bullies or rude nurses there. But, if you stick it out with the knowledge that you are there to hone your skills so you can work at a better place, then it makes it easier. Think of it as bootcamp. Just get through it and learn as much as you can there. Like I said, the better your skills, the more confidence you will have and the least likely to be intimated by those who do not know how to treat others with respect and kindness. The best of luck to you.

Thanks, Eltrip! Congratulations on your victory. Since I've been talking to HR, my boss has picked up the ball and has been bugging them. She invited them to our staff meeting. Hoping they will come. Yeah, right!! Rita

Hi Audreyfay: By the way, love your name!! HR told me that they have had meetings for months over the dress code with management and staff. Funny, our department was never informed of the meetings!! They main reason they decided not to let people go without socks or nylons was because someone complained that certain people don't take care of their feet. Sheesh! So punish everyone else!! Anyway, our department manager is supposed to meet with HR again next week about this to see if she can convince them to ease up on the invisible employees - namely, us. I'll let you know how it goes. For a long time we couldn't wear jeans of any color. Now we can wear them as long as they aren't blue and don't have 5 pockets or rivets!! We CAN wear pants with 5 pockets and rivets as long as they are not denim and they are only white, tan or black. Show me a pair of pants with 5 pockets and rivets that are not jeans!! Hoping common sense will prevail - Rita

Dear Passing Thru: I have no particular aspirations other than triage right now. I especially don't want to be in management. The supervisors in our department agree with me about the dress code. They would only like to dress up for meetings. Otherwise, what's the point? No one sees them, either. I realize the "professional look" is a hot button for many. I am obviously on the side for comfort. No one treats us any differently because of the way we dress. We wear anything from scrubs, to casual, to very dressy - depending on the nurse. Well, enough said. If I make any headway in the dress code, I will let everyone know. Think I will hear by Friday. Cheers. Rita

Hi Everybody. I am new to this board. I have been a telephone triage nurse for a little over two years. It was fun reading the board and empathizing. Where I work we have a dress code. It's a Catholic Healthcare West Hospital. We cannot wear jeans and have to wear nylons or socks with our shoes. The thing is, we are tucked away in a back room where no one sees us. We rarely venture out. When we do, it's to get something to eat from the cafeteria and bring it back to the lunchroom in our office. I know that Kaiser has Pajama Day once a month in our area! They can pretty much wear what they want the rest of the time. We only want to be able to wear sandals without nylons or neat, clean jeans and a nice top. Some want to wear sweat suits in the winter, including my supervisor. Working at home sounds good but not possible here. I have a meeting with HR tomorrow about this. Don't know how far I will get as the original dress code was made by the nuns a long time ago!!! I've noticed the dress code for nurses in our facility, in general, has let up some. When I talked to HR on the phone, they said, "what about when you go into the hallway and people see you." My only answer was to say I can take off my name tag. That didn't sit well. Any suggestions? Thanks. Nice to be here!! Rita :roll