Newldrn

sensibility-sorry!

Serenity-so sorry you're dealing with this, but thank you SO much for posting the definition of lateral violence because the term implies it is much more direct and physical than it really is! I actually posted a thread with the same headline today-before I found yours-and I'm so glad to know that you seem to have had a positive outcome from this!

I agree-GrnTea's last post has given me quite a lot to ponder...but the reference to other careers being the same-in my experience, they haven't been. I've only been a nurse for 5 years and have 10 years prior experience in customer service/sales/hospitality. I always had an idealistic portrait of being a nurse and will always struggle with that! My thoughts today don't effect how I do my job except for the morale of myself and all new staff members. It is what it is though, and maybe it's just not for me? Thanks for everyone who has taken the time to respond-input from others is always appreciated!

I don't go to anyone with my complaints, because I don't feel like they're valid...but examples could include telling you you're fantastic to your face, then complaining about the way you did something to charge nurse or manager; still in orientation-having a preceptor who scrutinizes every word you chart, but doesn't hold themself to the same standards; being responsible for training new staff and setting them up for failure; as an organization not having set policies and procedures for common nursing responsibilities and having preceptors unfamiliar with policies and training new staff to do thing incorrectly....I'm sure I could come up with more, but I hope you get the idea. Also, I guess this is particularly difficult for me because I do have working experience outside of nursing where I did not feel this way. I've also had nursing experience where I did not experience this atmosphere-however, it seems to be the norm and accepted in hospitals especially.

I don't go to anyone with my complaints, because I don't feel like they're valid...but examples could include telling you you're fantastic to your face, then complaining about the way you did something to charge nurse or manager; still in orientation-having a preceptor who scrutinizes every word you chart, but doesn't hold themself to the same standards; being responsible for training new staff and setting them up for failure; as an organization not having set policies and procedures for common nursing responsibilities and having preceptors unfamiliar with policies and training new staff to do thing incorrectly....I'm sure I could come up with more, but I hope you get the idea.

Maybe I was not detailed enough with my first post, but this constant behavior from co-workers is affecting me personally. The problem is not just with policies and change, but the general environment of hospital nursing. "If you're not just like us, then you must be against us." I always take care of my patients and put their needs first, but that becomes increasingly more difficult with the attitude of the unit. I'm not trying to paint myself as a victim-that's the last thing I want to do, but I am soul-searching and seeking a solution. The "suck it up" and "that's just the way it is" school of thought is the reason "lateral violence" has flourished-and frankly, just isn't in my DNA. On the flip side, the odds of 1 vs. 30 isn't good either...

This is a hot topic in the geographical area where I now reside....we'll keep that location under wraps for now:) I am an experienced nurse-jumped around specialties more than I would like to admit to. While I'm willing to accept my faults for what they are, I can't help but wonder if "lateral violence" could be a contributing factor? For me, my personality I hate the thought that I could be a "victim." BUT-I also feel like I might be a potential target. I graduated my nursing program as valedictorian, I welcome change and challenge current (often outdated) practices, and I don't always do what I'm told just because someone else says so....all this being said-I'm seriously contemplating leaving the nursing profession because it feels like I'm in high school all over again-btw-I'm too old for that! Just wanted to post and ask for support-I'm finally in the specialty I've always wanted, but now I'm not so sure...has anyone else overcome the whispers, being ignored and ostracized-and come out on the other side with a positive outcome?