"Proving" yourself

[caren19]

I wanted to get some feedback on my recent experiances at work. One of my co-workers came up to me and said that he and several other nurses had been talking about me, and had decided that I needed to "prove" myself. I was told that many of the movers and shakers in the unit would come to work 1hr early to assure that they got critical assignments (I work in a PICU), and would throw tantrums if not given good assignments. I've always held strong to the belief that it doesn't matter how sick the patient appears, if they are here, they are here for a reason. Anywho, I go to work and give my patients the best care possible, and I consider my work fulfilling regardless of the level of care the pt requires- the most important intervention is sometimes just a smile, or a willing ear.

I've never been the type of person willing to play games, I come to work, and am polite and sociable to all of my co-workers. Regardless, I have discovered this undercurrent of jealousy and competition running rampant. Do I really have to play the game to get ahead? Will I never take care of the "critical" pts just b/c i'm not interested in all the b.s. politics that abound on the floor? My tact so far (I started there as a graduate RN 2yrs ago) is just to go in, ignore the crap as much as possible and take care of my pt's needs. Why do I feel like a bad nurse for doing that? What do I really have to prove- that I am a good nurse, or that I am politically savvy?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Good post llg, some things to think about.

But like traumaRUs, I wonder what's up with team leadership that people can come in early and pick and choose who they want to take care of and not allow others the learning opportunities. When I was charge, (recently resigned) I tried to balance assignments on acuity, and if a nurse asked me to change things usually I would if there was a reason such as continuity of care, bad blood between nurse and patient/family, etc. Showing up an hour early to take prime assignments is a bit dysfunctional.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Gotta love those co-workers that have the extra time on their hands to determine what they all think and agree on what someone ELSE should do

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

But like traumaRUs, I wonder what's up with team leadership that people can come in early and pick and choose who they want to take care of and not allow others the learning opportunities. When I was charge, (recently resigned) I tried to balance assignments on acuity, and if a nurse asked me to change things usually I would if there was a reason such as continuity of care, bad blood between nurse and patient/family, etc. Showing up an hour early to take prime assignments is a bit dysfunctional.

Yes, it is very dysfunctional of the staff. Sadly, it goes on in some places and can hurt a new nurse's career. If s/he does not "fit in", they get sidelined or treated as an outcast.

The poster unfortunately faces the choice to "fit in" or leave. I have been in that position and tried to stay. Management eventially changed, cliques lost their power, and things improved a bit, but the dysfunctional behavior still reared it's ugly head in other ways. Given the same situation, I would leave to another unit/facility.

This aggressive behavior occurs where nurses are expected not to have any lives outside work, and frequently gets encouraged by management to help the bottom line. And it will burn you out fast. I choose to keep my life so I do not burn out.

[rnmi2004]

I was told that many of the movers and shakers in the unit would come to work 1hr early to assure that they got critical assignments

Caren, tell them that you'll put in that extra hour when management approves the overtime pay it would cost them!

[jschut, BSN, RN]

Prove to who? The only person you need to prove ANYTHING to is yourself!

[llg, PhD, RN]

Good post llg, some things to think about.

But like traumaRUs, I wonder what's up with team leadership that people can come in early and pick and choose who they want to take care of and not allow others the learning opportunities. When I was charge, (recently resigned) I tried to balance assignments on acuity, and if a nurse asked me to change things usually I would if there was a reason such as continuity of care, bad blood between nurse and patient/family, etc. Showing up an hour early to take prime assignments is a bit dysfunctional.

I agree wholeheartedly that coming into work to fight for assignments is exceptionally dysfunctional. Perhaps Caren19 should ask the management whether that is truly an expectation of the staff -- and if it is, what she do to get paid for meeting that requirement.

Personally, I wouldn't be comining in an hour early. That's ridiculous. But as I said in a previous post, she might be able to get noticed in a positive way by the senior staff if she came in just few minutes earlier and participated in some of the discussions. That would show them that she is interested.

To those posters who say the she has nothing to prove ... and for students who may be reading this ... I strongly, but respectfully disagree. It is a nurse's job to protect all of the patients from unskilled colleagues. Everyone keeps an eye on each other and that's the way it should be. That's how unsafe nurses are identified. Management needs the senior staff members to be keeping an eye on the newer staff to make sure they are not struggling, don't need help, are doing OK, etc. It is right and proper that new members of a team have to prove themselves a little before they are entrusted with the care of the sickest patients.

However, the senior staff members need to remember to be kind, reasonable, respectful, etc. of the newer staff. Sometimes, they can be like a dysfunctional family and make everyone miserable. As a profession, we need to find ways to encourage positive ways of watching over (assessing and helping) the newer staff and discourage the negative possibilities.

llg

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

Nursing is not just a process between one nurse and one patient. Nursing happens in the context of a unit -- and the interpersonal dynamics of the team can't be ignored. If you are content for them to consider you a "second string team member," then you can do nothing different and go on as you have been doing. If you want their respect, the better patient assignments and the learning opportunities that come with them, the possibility of career advancement someday (being a preceptor, charge nurse, etc.), then you are going to have to make a few changes. It's your decision.

I understand what you are trying to say, but the interpesonal dynamic of this group seems to be passive aggressive behavior. It serves no one. A successful team develops their junior staff. Yes, initiative is important, but I think all she should have to do is request more complicated assignments to demonstrate her interest, and not have to arrive an hour early. If I was told at that point to come in an hour early, I would say a change is on order too, a change to a different unit/facility!

You may not have to compromise your values to earn their respect. You may be able to do so by making just a few changes that you can live with. For example, you might be able to pay particular attention to offering help to other people who are busy, getting involved with those patients, and showing them that you can work with those types of patients. Perhaps you could come into work a few minutes earlier (not a whole hour, that's unreasonable) and "be seen" by the senior staff as taking an interest in your assignment, learning, etc. The image of "just coming in and focusing on your assignment" can sometimes be perceived by others as being not very interested in expanding your skills. It looks like that is what is happening here. Your willingness to just focus on your assignment and not "play politics" is being perceived as a lack of interest in continued learning.

Another thing you might consider is getting certified in your specialty. You have enough experience. Adding that credential to your name would demonstrate a committment to continued learning and that you have a good knowledge base.

Good luck,

llg

Offering to help others, and getting certified are excellent suggestions.

[jschut, BSN, RN]

A successful team develops their junior staff.

Offering to help others, and getting certified are excellent suggestions.

Excellently put! :)