noelle4

ok I have to have my say here. I am an American nurse, born/raised here. I have been a nurse for almost 10 yrs. I am well respected by my peers. I have worked on a Filipino dominated floor for a few years now and have seen Filipino nurses break EVERY rule on our floor. I was never racist before and sadly I feel I am beoming somewhat racist b/c of this certain bad group of Filipinos. I have seen first hand Filipino nurses look out only for each other giving each the best assignments, the best schedules, and more leeway than any other ethnic group. One in particular is very unscrupulous and dishonest and most, if not all of these Filipino RN's, disrespect our manager and make fun and ridicule her behind her back all the time. They sit for long extended braeks and lunches on our managers day off and after she goes home.These same nurses not only show favoritism towards each other but also to the Filipino patients on our floor. It is disgusting to see and has taken a toll on me. They constantly break policy by speaking in their language to each other in front of those of us who do not understand. Even after diversity classes and having been told repeatedly NOT to do this as it is rude and unprofessional, they act like the rules do not apply to them. I have seen these same RN's treat black and hispanic patients very badly. I have my patients constantly complain about some of these same RN's, mostly about the rude attitude they get. My manager does NOTHING about them. She is new (not Filipino) and I believe intimidated by them and seeks their acceptance as it is an inside joke (not very funny ) that the Filipinos "run" our floor. Or maybe as it has been suggested, she just simply chooses to turn a blind eye. Yes there are a few Filipino nurses who I greatly admire and respect, but it seems when they are all together in their group, these few RN's become the same rude, prejudiced, Filipino only speaking RN's. I am to the point where I cannot stomach the unfairness and favoritism I am subjected to day in and day out. Please don't get me wrong, I am an EXCELLENT nurse who gives EACH of my patients the BEST care possible no matter WHAT their race. And I am far from the only one who sees these problems with the Filipinos. Many of my coworkers have voiced the same complaints, alas to deaf ears. Most RN's just accept it as I believe it has been like this way before I came to the unit, and some RN's are afraid to **** off some of these Filipinos and get even worse schedules/assignments, or harrassed by them. Since I am to the point where I dread going to work these days and feel things will not change, I am actively and aggressively looking to transfer off this unit. in the meantime, is there any advice from anyone on how to deal with these issues? Now, I know everyone is different and I am not generalizing all Filipino RN's, but speaking only aboutthe RN's I work with and what me and many of my peers work with day in and day out. Thanks.

one of the most tragic things about nursing is the back stabbing eat-their-young mentality. It is RAMPANT in this female-dominated profession and saddens me so. I have gotten in fights with veteran RN's for standing up for newbies and I try to make every intern, orientee, or new grad feel as comfortable and confident AS POSSIBLE. Go to your superior and tell what happened but don't come across bitter. Yes, you should've told her no to administering meds but she is your preceptor and should've known not to ask you to give them. She could get reprimanded and she knows that. Why don't you ask her privately what the problem is? Be respectful and ask her if she remembers starting out as a new grad (we were all new once and we ALL made mistakes. EVERY ONE OF US but sounds like she is an unstable bitter jaded person who shouldn't be precepting. I know first hand they are out there, and it is the hardest thing to deal with when all you want to do is learn from her and do the best job you can do. Stand up for yourself, you will land on your feet and be a great nurse soon. Good luck!!

Thanks for the info Halinja-- What do you think is really causing the shortage out there? Can you tell me the pros and cons of living/working out where you are? I have approx 8 yrs nursing. What steps should I be taking in order to smooth a transition out there? I need to acquire a CA nursing license, correct? Also, I heard that college tuition is free (??) after a certain length of CA residency--any truth to that and can you elaborate? I apprecaite any more info. thanks! noelle

Hi. I fell in love with L.A. recently and want to move my whole family there (as soon as hubby sees the light:). I am licensed in IL only. I've been hearing different things from RN's re:the condiitions for California RN's (neg + pos). Is it true the PT/RN ratio is 4:1?? Is that why there is such a nursing shortage? What about the payrate-is it higher? I know the cost of living is crazy, but I think we can swing it. Any advice on relocating to the west coast is appreciated. California RN's please feel free to PM me, I would love to hear from you~ have a nice day~ noelle

Glad I gave you a good laugh!! :)

hi trauma RN, You come across as a caring person, and I'm sure you're a very good nurse. You're young and starting out in one of the most volatile RN positions there are. I'm not sure you've worked other units before but just let me say this: patients ask the same questions on almost all floors in teaching hospitals (except of course, the hallway questions--altho I've seen an occasional pt wind up in the hallway on other floors My point is, I don't think it's fair that ER nurses use the excuse "We see so much crap everyday--it gets to us, and it we become not so nice sometimes." That's BS. Nurses in general see terrible things EVERYDAY. You deal with it, or change professions or transfer if it gets to you. I know veteran ER/ICU RN's who would never use that excuse for being rude or mean to anyone!! BTW--the younger ER nurses were very accepting of me, helpful, and seemed happy to have me there. They weren't the problem. Good luck to you and keep up the good work you do! noelle

Gosh--I thought this thread died... Jennifer, First, I never stated all ER nurse are mean, or even ASKED if "all" ER nurses are mean. (Just as your last sentence states about CCU nurses). 2nd, I realize the ER forum was not exactly the best place to ask this question. Once and for all, it is my personal experience that the ER in my hospital exposed me to some of the meanest most miserable RN's I have ever met. MOST were great tho. :) noelle

You missed your calling. You should be practicing psychology:rolleyes:

ruby! you're the lucky winner of my closing post-congratulations! i refer to them as old dinosaurs b/c they are old dinosaurs ...old veterans who are so burnt out and have been doing the nursing thing for so long they act like they hate it!! the type no one likes to be around b/c of their negative vibes all day, who tries to bully new staff and even the manager--the type who complains about everything new, talks about how stupid the new med students/residents/attendings are, balks at change, tries to "play" manager when in fact they are not in a management position. rn's like this need to either quit nursing or actually do something about changing things and go into administration or something. very different from the mature nurses who i admire and look up to. taking a look at my part in these interactions--i did nothing but treat these people with common courtesy and kindness. i held my dignity at all times, never got down to their level. another thing ruby? try to stop fixating on my "beauty":wink2: . since when is attractiveness such a taboo subject anyway? i assumed we were all mature adults in here, and you missed my main point. yes, i am a beautiful person, inside and out. obviously i was too controversial to post on a site such as this, and i won't do it again. i wonder if i had stated instead that i was unnattractive, would i have garnered more support in here?? sad, sad, sad. women need to stop fighting each other... ok-last word: mean nurses--you know who you are:nono: ! recognize yourselves, stop bullying, stop bitching -do something constructive about it. if i help one nurse from going thru what i did, well, then my job is done. peace and love all. noelle

OK- You're excused Miss Mab. Let's see..ACTUAL facts?? As opposed to the fake ones I might try to give you? I have no reason to fabricate ANYTHING I say in here. Let me ask you a question MM.Have you ever felt threatened by anything or anyone? Of course you have...A woman knows when she feels threatened, agree? Like most women, I have been on both sides of the fence too. I am not talking about looks here. W/O any prior experience I ROCKED that ER--did all I could to keep a low profile to fit in, and quickly gained the respect of some of the most cynical docs/difficult patients there JUST BY working hard at what I truly love to do, treating people with decency, and simply being happy. I'd say VERY threatening behavior for some weak/insecure individuals who like to bully. Peace and love. noelle

Hmmm...b/c they were ugly (and mean). lol Enough of this crap already. Thank you to ALL of you who PM'd me to tell me you were on my side and have had similar experiences. Your honesty and support has restored my faith in people and lifted my spirits immensely- Not giving up on ER just yet!~ noelle

Hey LearJet or whatever your name is...what IS your problem anyway? You sound jealous :) Don't be. Afterall, you're in the ER and I'm not move on already...

Thanks Steph. You are very wise :) I didn't mean to be such a pot-stirrer.. I was very tired after a really tough shift. That being said, I hope you can lock this thread up forever.

re-read my post. i do not assume anything. i myself, never said i was "so attractive." i have worked many jobs and several different units and have never been treated like some of the rn's in this particular ed. it still hurts! you know nothing about me. you are merely reacting to the fact that i mentioned what one of the docs said to me and are prejudiced against me already for being "so darned good looking." you actually prove my point, so thanks.

God Bless You :) I am not a narcissist. I am the most down to earth, non-threatening person there is. I should never have brought this question up in this forum. I do believe that, in general, ER nurses are no meaner/nicer than any other. Even during this horrible experience, I met some really great RN's in this same ER. BUT...the ones who were mean to me were miserable people who I now believe felt threatened by me. Too bad...all I wanted to do was learn and grow from them. BTW--I never called myself attractive. I was told I was attractive. Thank you for being so truthful amygooch! Your hubby is lucky to have you noelle

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I think you are 100% correct--it's just this particular hospital.

thanks :wink2:

Attack nurses--EXACTLY. In fact, this ER is well known for having SOME (repeat, SOME) mean nurses. Patients c/o of actually being afraid of some. These same RN's would undermine the attendings and the manager. I didn't mean to offend anyone. I also didn't expect anyone to post back to me and admit they were a mean nurse. I know it's not a popularity contest and I don't need to make friends at work--I have a family who comes first, like all other married RN's. I'm talking about the RN's who go out of their way to be nasty. I guess you just have to feel sorry for them. Anyway--this subject is dead in the water--I should've known better than to bring up something negative. Thanks for the input.

I was perusing the posts and this question came to mind. I have worked several different units but my short stay in the ER showed me some of the meanest, bitter, most unhappy RN's I've ever met. Most were nice to me, but a handful of the veterans were downright unwelcoming and nasty to me and more importantly, to their pts, too One of the docs saw what was going on and offered advice--he told me it was b/c I was attractive. He suggested I try baking treats, being extra helpful, etc. I did all that and it seemed to make things worse. It seemed the nicer I was, the more they disliked me. Anyway--I could go on and on. It was one of the hardest experiences of my life b/c I so wanted to be accepted there, never had a problem ANYWHERE else. It was months ago but still messes with my mind. I found the ER to be my fav work. Loved the pt population, will go back to this or another ER one day. The tele unit I transferred to seems SOOOOO much busier for me than ER. I get out late almost always, juggling so much more than any other unit I've worked on. Most of the RN's there are registry or agency, I am staff. I go home drained both emotionally and physically almost always. Just an observation. I'm not saying the floor works harder than the ED. It's just different, different degrees of busy-ness and workloads, and I wish we would all recognize this. Nursing is tough enough without us fighting each other, for any reason, period. The really great RN's, the ones who are secure with themselves and truly love what they do, are who continue to inspire me. The old dinosaur RN's, like the ED ones I referred to earlier, shouldn't be able to call the shots anymore. (They need to change jobs :) Whew! I feel better! Just my 2 cents.

I'm just seeing this post for the first time today, but feel I have to comment. I've been on both sides too and I have to side with the floor and Donn. I LOVED the ED, and will return one day. Most of the RN's were great, hardworking people. BUT...there actually was the same small group that DID sit at the nurses station most of the time, actually READING magazines, and then changing personalities before my eyes when there were paramedics around (even some married RN's ), shamelessly flirting...It was pathetic. I was told not to accept no for an answer when calling to give report b/c "they (tele, ICU, etc) just don't want to take the pt and will stall.." I almost believed it until I transfered to a tele unit and saw for myself. I'd love to hear more from others who have experienced this.

Thanks for the support. I needed to vent most of all, and the forum is great for that... Maybe I should be, but I'm not worried about what my manager might say. I know this may never even go anywhere, but if so, I am covered. I definetely see your point, peds RN. And I take my hat off to you---I think peds and burn nurses are a special breed :) I know my limits and could never handle seeing little ones suffer and not take that home with me every day--too sad, too many emotions for me. This is just one issue on this tele unit. I'm tired of doing my job plus PCT work too, and having to play MD b/c they won't come see their pt's half the time. I never planned to stay there forever anyway. I plan to get back to the ER and/or get my NP in acute care (or something like that). Anyway. Take care & have a great day. noelle

Hi. Ok, what the he**! I am looking for honest opinions pleeze. I work on a crazy-busy tele unit--the busiest unit I've ever worked on (including ER). After getting report on a MICU transfer at 1500pm, who was supposed to come in 20 min after his 1st unit of PRC's was done-- I did not get him until 1800 (!!!). And--he had not gotten his 2nd unit yet..So, needless to say, I had 5 pts total, saw him right away, he was stable. Tubed down for 2nd unit PRC's. Gave report at 1900 to a fairly new RN (new grad). Saw she was overwhelmed, she was getting most of my team, which was heavy. The blood came up at 1915. Trying to be nice, I offered to start it for her (even tho I had given her report already). I had been in to see the pt 3 times already before, settled him in, etc., then, at 1930, started his blood, took 1st set vitals, paged the tech to come in and take over., went to start an IV on someone else, finish charting etc... so I could go home before 2100 ( I work 7a-7p 3-12's). While charting, this new grad comes up to me to inform me this pt getting blood is so p***ed off at me and her he is writing us up. From the beginning, he was not happy that I was going home at 1900, and felt he was "being rushed..." Whatever. I am very thorough and did what I could for him (and THEN some), but he needed to accept the fact that he was getting a new nurse after I started his blood, and realize I did not have time to hold a personal conversation with him.. He kept bragging about what a VIP he was, etc... he was a jerk, and trying to manipulate me, esp. knowing I was trying to go home. Never mind the fact that ICU should have started that 2nd unit HOURS ago ...she had no real explanation either. I guess my issue is with this new grad who seemed to blame me for this jerk's attitude. She did not seem to appreciate the fact that I was helping her out and that ticked me off. I like to help out when I can, and have never had a complaint from a pt in the 7 yrs I've been an RN, until now. This guy gave me the creeps, and his room-mate was not happy to hear his BS either I was wondering if anyone had an opinion re: this?? Altho I love nursing and think RN's are great people, I'm thinking I don't get paid enuff for this aggravation, and probably going to leave tele in a few months...any suggestions? thanks for any thoughts