trai1971

Wow! This article hits home. I have been a Nurse for 22 years, I am 43, and feel constantly harassed, maybe this is why, because I am too "expensive".

mfill4545, don't give up on your dream of being a nurse, we need you! You worked to hard to get through the nursing program to let someone's behavior ruin it for you. I hope the counseling helps, because we need more good nurses in the world. Best of luck to you.

Great article! Unfortunately, I feel that this issue still is not appropriately addressed in most facilities. I'm a seasoned nurse of 20 years and experience this from another seasoned nurse, it's intolerable and she has inserted herself in with management, so that makes it even worse. I have spoken to my managers and was basically told to handle it on my own, but "let me know if it doesn't improve", but the fact is, she is disrespectful to me right in front of them. I really like the facility I work at, so I'm not anxious to leave, and I just keep hoping that eventually this will catch up with her and she will be the one to leave, even though I've read before that the bullier is often not the one that leaves a job. I have defended myself and at this point take it day by day. Thanks for the article! I believe there needs to be more focus on this is nursing school.

I am a "seasoned" nurse who has been nursing now for 20 years, and I've only had 2 jobs in my nursing career, and I am here to tell you there ARE alot of mean nurses( in the coworker sense) out there, but also some great ones. I currently work with a fellow nurse (even more seasoned than I am) who makes my life torture with her rudeness and bullying, to the point that I've actually asked her to stop, then later address it with administration who basically told me to handle it myself but let her know if it continued even though I had already talked to this person, so I'm still in the same boat. This person talks about me to my coworkers, counts my meds., it's virtually harrassment. Other people complain about this nurse's behavior behind her back, but don't stand up to her because they're afraid she'll start trouble for them as well. Of course some days are better than others, but my point is, it's not the even just the new nurse who is getting bullied, but seasoned nurses do as well. I think there needs to be a "no tolerance" policy for bullying and maybe even more focus on this in nursing school...perhaps even a course focusing on this issue, then maybe it will begin to change. I also feel that employers need to actually care about this issue as well. It's sad that people who are in the art of caring would treat eachother this way. So, I'm not trying to be a "whiner", just telling you my experience.

I'm an RN and have worked in LTC my entire nursing career (nearly 20 years), and in my experience, in LTC there is virtually no difference between LPNs & RNs in the LTC setting. I hope that you find a facility you like better. Nursing is nursing. It's tough and it's rewarding. Luckily we have so many options in the area and scope of nursing that we can choose to work in. Good luck to you.

Wow...that's terrible! It sounds to me like you were basically being harassed the last 6 months you were there. If you want to pursue it, you most likely have a case. This is the second similar post I've seen on here like this in the last week! So sad. I'm a seasoned nurse. I started nursing at 22, in LTC, and have been a nurse for nearly 20 years. Now that I'm over 40, I fear this same thing, wondering if I have an "expiration date". When I first started nursing, the elder nurses were respected...too bad it's not that way anymore. Best of luck to you and I hope that something will come your way. Try not to shut the door on nursing...we need you until YOU choose to leave the profession. I'm sorry that you were treated this way and, again, best of luck.

I am so sorry that you have to tolerate this...you shouldn't. I would definitely leave a paper trail. It stuns me that a physician who is working with mentally ill people would act this way...sounds like the physician has some issues themselves. I also like the advice posted above that says to job hunt now if you can't tolerate where you're working now. Best of luck to you.

I am sorry for your loss. As woo said above, trying to coordinate staffing can take some time and I don't believe 45 minutes is that long, but I know if you're in a family emergency, it feels like an eternity. When we work with human lives, we can't just leave. I've lost 3 family members in the last 2 years, so I understand how you're hurting. Maybe when you've had a chance to grieve and feel calm, you can discuss this situation wih the charge nurse, especially if you truly do feel like she was dawdling and taking her time. That being said, considering we're in nursing, I do see where it could be 45 mnutes to get things together. Sending thoughts & prayers to you & your family.

If the transfer is what you really want, then I say go for it, but I would also make your concerns known to HR...what your manager is doing is workplace intimidation and she should be fired immediately! Good luck!

I would chart something like "Pt. states he did not receive a.m. meds., administration of a.m. meds. was verified...", then go on to describe the other behavior. I don't put another staff members name in the chart unless they've helped me with a procedure, and I always tell them if I do. Hope this helps:)

Mandate means, in this context, being required to stay over because you have nobody to relieve you.

The reality is this: Nursing is not always an 8 hour job. There will be times if someone doesn't show up, inclement weather when staff can't get in, emergencies, etc. that you will be mandated. That being said, do what you can otherwise. If it's your day off and you just can't come in, then don't. If I work extra, I choose to come in early or stay later, than to actually give up a day off. Just remember extra help is always appreciated by your coworkers, even if your managers don't. And it's not fair to think "the younger People" should do all the extra shifts. Everyone should do what they can!

This makes me sad. I think that your med. errors in the last 2 months, which I assume are out of character for you, were somehow psychologically stress induced, not to excuse it, but that is what I believe. It's sad that it got to that point. I fear this happening to me as well, being "seasoned" nurse in LTC, and I have a coworker who likes to take issue with me & would find no greater joy than to see me fired. Makes it very stressful & our jobs can be stressful enough with all the resposiblities without other emloyees or managers adding to the mix. I hope that you fnd employment that is appreciative of your experience, and I am sorry that you had to go through this experience. Good luck to you.