Seniority question

lalaxton · Mar 3, 2005

Don't really know what you are asking. Seniority 'system' is more a term you will see in unionized facilities which is the majority of hospitals in Canada.

As far as older nurses 'eating their young' as many seem to do, I think that it is common but I am noticing it less now than I used to. Maybe because those older nurses are realizing that someone has to take over from us as we age??

Respect is not given to you because you are older or have been in a job longer, respect is earned. Also, one must give respect to get it, we have all seen the new nurse who comes in to a job going on and on about how things were so much better in her/his last job. That's not the way to gain any respect in a new environment or friends.

My advice is to research the facility carefully that you are thinking of going to, ask lots of questions and talk to the staff young and old. Ask management how they deal with the problem. If your not satisfied with the anwers then move on. There are some great places to work out there, all across the country.

markjrn · Mar 3, 2005

Respect is not given to you because you are older or have been in a job longer, respect is earned.

Actually, that is completely untrue where I am. Respect and opportunity are based on longevity. It's horrible.

Also, one must give respect to get it, we have all seen the new nurse who comes in to a job going on and on about how things were so much better in her/his last job. That's not the way to gain any respect in a new environment or friends.

I have gone out of my way to be very respectful of people here, because I am new. It apparently has made no difference. I do not refer to where I used to work because I worked in the USA, and several of the nurses here have been outwardly ignorant to me about that. "You Americans don't know what you're doing..."

My advice is to research the facility carefully that you are thinking of going to

I thought that I had done that, but obviously not. I just wasn't prepared for the ugliness here. Another RN started at the same time I did. She just moved here from Hamilton, ON, and she has been the only one that is decent. She has been treated the same way I have. My wife was treated so badly because she was "new" that she quit her position. I guess we'll be moving back to the US.

What I'm asking is whether it is like this everywhere.

fergus51 · Mar 3, 2005

Do you mean is this a uniquely Canadian problem? I don't think so. I've also worked in both countries and there are good and bad environments everywhere. I've had the same stupid type of comments here ("Do you have pt. monitors in Canada?")! Have you talked about this with your nurse manager? If she is losing employees because of cattyness, it's in her best interest to stop it. I did work in one hospital that had a bad environment and the unit was called on it. We had mandatory team building meetings to discuss the problems and how to solve them. It sounds corny, but it actually did a lot of good.

markjrn · Mar 3, 2005

Do you mean is this a uniquely Canadian problem? I don't think so. I've also worked in both countries and there are good and bad environments everywhere. I've had the same stupid type of comments here ("Do you have pt. monitors in Canada?")! Have you talked about this with your nurse manager? If she is losing employees because of cattyness, it's in her best interest to stop it. I did work in one hospital that had a bad environment and the unit was called on it. We had mandatory team building meetings to discuss the problems and how to solve them. It sounds corny, but it actually did a lot of good.

Thanks for your input.

I have seen this backstabbing behavior in both countries as well, I guess it just seems far more prominent here. I have considered moving to a different province for a change in environment, I was just wondering if it's this harsh in other areas of the country.

As far as going to management, it's been done, and they just don't seem to care. Nothing ever changes here, and that's why just leaving seems appealing.

fergus51 · Mar 3, 2005

Well, I certainly don't think it's everywhere, but without knowing the specifics about what exactly happens where you work I don't know what to say. My niece graduated 2 years ago and several of her friends have found nice work environments, while others didn't. I guess it all depends on what unit you happen to wind up in. Do you know anyone who might be able to give you the inside scoop on a place before you apply to work there? I found a lot of allnurses users helped me out with word of mouth reputations when I was looking for work and it helped me find a nice place to work.

markjrn · Mar 4, 2005

:)

Well, I certainly don't think it's everywhere, but without knowing the specifics about what exactly happens where you work I don't know what to say. My niece graduated 2 years ago and several of her friends have found nice work environments, while others didn't. I guess it all depends on what unit you happen to wind up in. Do you know anyone who might be able to give you the inside scoop on a place before you apply to work there? I found a lot of allnurses users helped me out with word of mouth reputations when I was looking for work and it helped me find a nice place to work.

When I have a better idea of where I might want to go, I think I'll ask for some educated opinions here on the board. Thanks for your response!

pmchap · Mar 4, 2005

While I'm not in the land of the Maple leaf - I'm actually downunder - I will add my 2 cents worth.... I work as an Clinical Educator in to different locations - at one new staff fit in fairly easily and the ability to fit in is deffinately dependent on how well the new staff member can communicate and perform there duties as a nurse - essentially they earn the respect - some do this quickly - others take ages. The other place has some old stalwart nurses and unless you have been in the place for at least 2 years your not worth talking to. It is a interesting to see how each place reacts to different things. One thing I know is that the place which is less willing to accept staff on merits the staff bring is also less likely to accept new methods of work and some work methods are just plain shocking....

This is Australia but I dare say similar everywhere.

Cheers

Peter

markjrn · Mar 4, 2005

While I'm not in the land of the Maple leaf - I'm actually downunder - I will add my 2 cents worth.... I work as an Clinical Educator in to different locations - at one new staff fit in fairly easily and the ability to fit in is deffinately dependent on how well the new staff member can communicate and perform there duties as a nurse - essentially they earn the respect - some do this quickly - others take ages. The other place has some old stalwart nurses and unless you have been in the place for at least 2 years your not worth talking to. It is a interesting to see how each place reacts to different things. One thing I know is that the place which is less willing to accept staff on merits the staff bring is also less likely to accept new methods of work and some work methods are just plain shocking....
This is Australia but I dare say similar everywhere.
Cheers
Peter

That's very interesting - how two facilities can vary so much. It seems that this one fits into the latter. Some of these nurses have told me that they have been impressed with my performance, but there is a tight knit group that ignores anyone with less than about five years within the area. My wife worked with alot of RN's who had 20+ years of experience. She proved herself after one difficult night, but in the end, 3 new nurses were run off by the ugliness of the "old" staff. I don't understand why nurses eat their own when they finally get some extra help.

Why can't we just all get along? :)