spacegal123

I love my job, I work on a crazy acute care floor, before that I did hospice and LTC. For some reason I doubted myself before starting at the hospital, and unfortunately that doubt continues. I think a big part of that doubt is my lack of self esteem in life. I feel a lot of pressure and anxiety that I did the right thing, and that I did everything my co workers would expect me to do. Why is that? I sometimes think nursing is a profession built on critiques, judgments and peer reviews. Yes of course reflection is mandatory in this profession, but alot of the experiences we have as a student nurse is in a group setting, with peer reflections, and sometimes we're compared to each other. I think nursing has actually allowed me to grow as a person, I am growing and developing as person and professional. Lucky for us this profession is built on ongoing learning, growth, and developing. Stick to it, things will get easier. You'll find yourself, and you'll realize it doesn't matter what other nurses are doing with their career. Be the best person and nurse you can. Never turn down for an opportunity to grow.

I am actually working on the same issue myself. And truthfully I wonder if I picked the right career choice, unit in the hospital or facility. I am working on blocking out the negativity from the floor, and a huge part of that has to do with sticking to myself and leaving the floor for all my breaks. I have had a few friends, and I've lost a few friends. The floor I work on is very "clicky", and if you do one wrong you're screwed. I am just moving forward, in a respectful way. I think in life it's important to be around people who make you happy, and sure you can't necessarily choose your co-workers, but you can choose how they affect you. The negative behaviors and comments from others won't affect my day, and sure as hell won't affect how I feel at home with my family. Blocking out the negativity.. Definitely takes practice but is a skill worth to learn !!!

I have been nursing for about 4 years, but in an acute care floor for about 2 years. Before starting on an acute care floor I worked LTC, hospice and a community setting. I never felt like I really belonged and wasn't really fulfilled at my other jobs, since starting on this crazy, overwhelming and busy floor I leave work with a sense of accomplishment and pride of everything I knew I accomplished for my facility and patients. With that, there are days I have doubt, sadness and worry that I missed something, I made a mistake, or my co-workers are judging me. Like I said, I've worked in nursing for 4 years, and I am always learning and growing, and I really feel this is apart of nursing. I think confidence and critical thinking some nurses displays will develop differently for everyone. Trust the process. Believe in yourself, and just keep learning. Never concern yourself with what others think of you, no matter what you do in live someone will judge. Just keep providing safe and competent care to your patients, and the confidence and skills will grow.

I am working on a med-surg floor, like any other it's busy, overwhelming and I often feel myself "drowning" in the daily tasks expected of me. This past weekend I reached out for help and the response I got from one of our senior nurses was a filled with annoyance and lack of understanding. That hurt, and for the last 2 hours of my shift everyone was saying, "oh she's grumpy". I wasn't just being grumpy, I was upset and hurt by one particular nurse's response to my call for help. I came home, and I blamed her for how I felt. With all of the events at work building up I began questioning how long I could stay on the unit. After reading this post I realize that these things are going to happen, things aren't always going to be peachy and sunshine and rainbows especially on a busy unit. I need to become resilient and strong. I didn't approach that nurse and let her know how she made me feel. Instead I rambled and mumbled to myself about it. It was fear that held me back, I was scared to say anything to her. For things to change on the unit I need to be apart of the change, I need to show co-workers that I am a strong nurse, and I will not be walked over. And I need to show the new nurses on the floor this is not how the unit runs. I was asked recently to mentor a new nurse for a few days in November, I neglected to respond, and it was because I don't like my job right now, and I am blaming the people I work with. After reading this post I will move toward the kind of person (and nurse) that I want to be, and show new nurses a connection can be made with others to support and grow with each other. I will be kind to myself, take care of myself and others. I will disconnect from the gossip, and hurtful comments made by others. I moments of need I will provide the support to others, and reach other to others. I will show growth and resilience. I will have bad days, but I will learn and grow from them. Thank you for posting this... ...spacegal123

I work on a med-surg floor, yes it's busy, challenging and mentally and physically demanding. I have been nursing for 3 years and working in the hospital for a little over a year. I started taking courses but find the hands on training most beneficial to my practice. I am continually learning something new everyday, and I truly love it. Do I know everything? Absolutely not!! When I first started working on the floor, I began making friends everyday, everyone seemed so open minded and welcoming. When I needed help I wasn't intimidated in asking anyone. Recently the rumor is "the floor has changed... it's the worst it's been in 5 years". I can't honestly say the support isn't there when I need it, but can I rely on everyone to support me in a critical event? No... Do I feel judged after a critical event and the outcome isn't good for the patient? YES! I recently felt scrutinized after a patient was sent out to another facilities ICU, did I do the best job possible? Did I catch the problem quick enough? Walking on the floor to have a co-nurse immediately tell me .."oh that patient died BTW". That hurt. I worked the rest of my shift, kept those feelings to myself to come home and cry. Now I sit here wondering can I do this all over again..... I previously had people adding me to social media accounts, and now I don't want them in my outside life. I don't feel like they support me, I don't trust them with my secrets or stories, because I know if "something juicy" came up it would spread like wild fire through the floor even hospital. I've deleted people, panicked and got rid of the social media accounts fearing the repercussions of it. I just want the professional, respectful and positive relationship with my co-workers. I want to know that if I am running around I can turn around and "Ashley" will be running to the supply room grabbing the IV kit to start the new IV needed on the patient quickly declining. I want to know that in times of need the support is there, not sitting in the hallway chit-chatting about a new home purchased... and I don't want it to come down to RN-RPN.... Just last night I walked in the break room to hear "Oh I'm just an RPN".... Work is becoming more and more difficult. The rapport on the floor is poor, cliques are forming and I am backing away as quickly as I can. I enjoy the daily challenges, but I can't defeat them on my own, and I don't expect anyone else to either. ...spacegal123