I've been working in the same hospital for 2 years. I know that's not awfully long, but I'm getting crispy. I'm way over it. The place is large, full of politics and it seems like a nurse mill. New grads come and go. Experienced nurses rarely come and many of the long-time nurses are either on a power trip or tired and lazy. There also seems to be a large contigency of nurses who seem to come to work to socialize, rest their butts on the chair and collect a check q 2 weeks. The place is very negative and those that are not yet totally burnt out are on their way or getting out.
I recently left the ICU and transferred to the PACU so that I could get a fresh start, but the game is the same; only the players have changed. They are "deperate" for nurses, but when a new one shows up they couldn't be bothered helping them (i'm not the only person who notices this). They sit on their butts, do the bare minimum and won't even speak to anyone who isn't one of theirs.
I came back from break the other day and the nurse who covered me condescendingly told me that I should have done x,y and z. Granted, I should have done z (minor oversight), but x and y were not policy, but opinion and a way to belittle me. I had done what needed to be done and well. I am a nurse with over 5 years of experience; the last 2 years I have worked in ICU.
It's just so childish, clique, abusive and demeaning. The whole darn place. I want out. I'm getting depressed and I get sick every time I have to go to work because I know that a already difficult job is going to be made 10x harder because of the abuse by the system and my coworkers. I'm trapped because I know it's pretty much the same everywhere.
Today was a good day. The only pitfall was when I walked in and about half of my coworkers ignored me. I made sure that I looked each of them in the face and said good morning and that I was right there every time they needed help. The most pleasant people to work with are the travelers as they are always glad to see a friendly face instead of a bunch of scowling ingrates.
I need a vacation, but I don't think anything less than a month would help. I do a good job and am kind to my patients. Some days I don't know how, but I manage a smile and a kind tone.
