I am a new grad nurse, having worked for a couple of months, and only a short while on my own in a busy medical/surgical unit. I am a gentle soul, soft-spoken, and have manners ingrained in me from childhood. I strive to be respectful and professional, particularly at work.
As a nurse, I am not surprised to be the "whipping boy." From HUCs sniping at me when I ask to a question, to PCAs rolling their eyes at me when asked to do something, to other nurses being blatantly rude to me if I have a question, to doctors chewing me out on the phone ... I knew this was coming and I know it is something that I need to get used to.
My unit is not bad compared to what I have read here. But when working with people, each day, I know that some negative encounters are bound to happen. However I am very sensitive and it effects me. Mostly takes me aback and makes me upset. With the stress of the job, today I was almost in tears after a particularly rough afternoon. I do not want to be a blubbering mess at work. I can't seem to stand up for myself. What can I do to be more assertive in these kinds of situations?
Some scenarios --
Ask HUC a question, didn't realize she was on the phone, HUC snaps at me and basically tells me to shut up.
PCA tells me she is leaving a patient's tab alarm off because she feels he doesn't need it. I tell her I think it is still necessary and to put it back on, and she walks away rolling her eyes at me and avoids me the rest of the day.
Patient's daughter is a zooligist and is ranting on the phone at me because she thinks the patient needs X, Y, and Z treatment.
Doctor yells at me because I called and asked for an order that was already placed. (my fault, it was during a rapid response)
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