Some mean Nurses.......

pagandeva2000, LPN · Dec 27, 2007

Sometimes, it takes a bit of time for people to get used to new staff members on the floor. And, at times, it may be true (as well as unfortunate), that nurses may target out aides. Let me tell you, this continues with nurses as well. LPNs feel picked on by RNs, the RNs argue who is the best sort of nurse, ASN or BSN, nursing supervisors and nurse managers are at each other's throats, etc. It is an issue of hieracrchy, a very petty issue.

You may still find your niche, or sisterhood. Work with dignity, do your assignments well, report what is necessary to the nurses. You never know who is watching you, and (at least from my experience when I was a CNA), these same people may recommend you if there is a nursing career program available. And, if you believe that they are blantantly disrespecting you, you have the right to advocate for yourself in a professional manner. No one deserves to be disrespected because of what they do for a living.

~FutureNurse~ · Dec 27, 2007

Just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone on this one. When I worked at a PCT, almost all the nurses were so hateful and rude, like I wasn't good enough or something. It made me mad, but I just ignored it, I mean who are they to judge me?

Like the previos post said, just do your job well and they will come around, if not, screw em...

Good Luck

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2007

Hi, there. I'm an LVN at a nursing home, and my following comments might be construed as controversial.

Nursing, moreso than other careers out there, tends to attract its fair share of women with low self esteems. The nurses with self esteem issues are the ones who are most likely to be hateful, mean, and picky toward the aides, because a person with chronic low-self worth temporarily feels better when she's treated someone badly. She feels a sense of control and purpose, even if it is just for than one moment of rudeness.

Before anyone flames me, let me say that most nurses are not mean or have low self esteems.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Dec 27, 2007

I worked Med/Surg for years. There has always been a separateness when it comes to nurses and techs. I think nurses keep a strictly professional relationship in order to keep respect which in return keeps the techs on task. It has always been that if the nurses and techs got too clummy then one or the other ends up taking advantage of it. While in the break room nurses and techs mesh without a problem. On the floor it's back to business. Nurses do appreciate the techs. Most of us not would not change jobs with them for double the pay. I wouldn't.

jb2u, ASN, RN · Dec 28, 2007

As a man that joined this "sisterhood," I have to say that I have experienced rude/mean people in many if not all of the jobs that I have worked in my life.

I am now a nurse, however, as a cna, I've seen my fair share of cna's "bad-mouthing" nurses while in the breakroom and the nurse out taking care of patients.

My point is there will always be some bad/negative/lazy/etc.. people in ANY job!! Professional football players have people that mistreat staff, ignore the rookie, show up late or even skip practice, etc.

I hope that you keep your dream to become a nurse, but not to be a part of a sisterhood, but rather, to be a part of a profession that dedicates itself to being highly educated and PATIENT focused.

Sincerely,

Jay "Proud member of the sisterhood"

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Dec 28, 2007

Thanks for your comments, Jay.

When I was a CNA, only other CNAs were mean to me- never nurses. I worked my butt off, and the nurses knew it and appreciated it. Everyone's experiences are different.

delvenia · Dec 28, 2007

Hi, there. I'm an LVN at a nursing home, and my following comments might be construed as controversial.
Nursing, moreso than other careers out there, tends to attract its fair share of women with low self esteems. The nurses with self esteem issues are the ones who are most likely to be hateful, mean, and picky toward the aides, because a person with chronic low-self worth temporarily feels better when she's treated someone badly. She feels a sense of control and purpose, even if it is just for than one moment of rudeness.
Before anyone flames me, let me say that most nurses are not mean or have low self esteems.

i agree with you. anyone who has to belittle someone else, regardless of the job title, likely has self worth issues....

Billsgirl, CNA · Dec 28, 2007

wow! you have all been great!:) i feel much better, at least i am not the only one who has felt this way!! i understand the heirarchy thing, and honestly i have overheard the r.n.'s talking about the supervisors, aides bashing other aides and so on...usual work junk talk i see.

thank you for all of the advice too! i do work hard, i'm older and understand that this pca/cna job is not only a great opportunity for me to gain some experience, but it should give me a slight advantage once i start the bsn program as well. at least i believe that would be the case.

also, jb2u, i am sorry i wrote "sisterhood," silly me!!! :nono:

thanks for having fun with my blurb though!!!

thank you all again!

Melina · Dec 28, 2007

Nursing, moreso than other careers out there, tends to attract its fair share of women with low self esteems. The nurses with self esteem issues are the ones who are most likely to be hateful, mean, and picky toward the aides, because a person with chronic low-self worth temporarily feels better when she's treated someone badly. She feels a sense of control and purpose, even if it is just for than one moment of rudeness.

I totally agree that it's often those with low self-esteem that pick on others. I don't know if nursing attracts these types of people any more than other careers. The problem of lateral violence in healthcare is complex. The best thing we can do as the next generation is stop the cycle. We need to be better leaders, better colleagues.

~Mel'

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2008

Let me be honest....when I'm in clinicals my motto has always been "Leave no man(woman) behind." You have to pick up those who are behind...and know that EVERYONE is part of the healthcare team...the nurses can't do their job without effective techs...and we can always tell which nurses were not CNAs before becoming a nurse....

To the OP.....it can often be construed as "mean" especially because you are older...however, many nurses work short and are heavily stressed...which leads to a displacement effect of stress being put off onto others....

Let me tell you a story....I was new on my floor once, too. I worked with "super tech" and a heavily controlling nurse....I always felt inadequate, and couldn't bring myself to ask for help from either of them.....I called off more than once when I knew they were both working...because I couldn't be confident around either one of them....

Then one night, I took a break with them...we went outside where while they smoked, I relaxed...and simply said "You know, I always feel so afraid when I work with you guys...."....Then, they went "Really, why? We both think you do a great job with patients..." Came to find out that the one nurse was just very hard on aides until they "proved" themselves...because "I've had the bad ones, and I want good ones taking care of my patients..." So, maybe it's not just being mean...maybe it's a culture of blame....and nurses feeling like they still need to control over you.....

I've been on my floor over a year, and feel like an "old hat" now....and I feel like the nurses trust me to do my job and get them if there's any issues....that feeling comes with time....you just have to get there....

socalpca · Jan 3, 2008

hi everyone! i don't get to come to the site as often as i would like because of work and school, but since i have a tiny break from both right now i have some questions for you all, and i love reading about people who are in the same situations i am and learning too.
i started my cna (pca) job at a hospital on the med./peds. floor about two months ago. i love it! i am learning so much and my experiences have reinforced my desire to become a nurse. i only have one problem.
some of the nurses on my floor are just plain mean. i notice that it isn't that they are mean toward everyone, just the aides. now, i am older, (37) and a lot of the girls who are r.n.'s are younger than me, which may be part of the attitude, but the older ones are just as bad. it stinks because their harshness is uncalled for. is this just some initiation deal? am i being tested?
i know everyone is different, but i was hoping for a kind of "sisterhood" at this job, where i could make new friends and find a mentor or two. anyone else find a similar situation happening to them?

i was a pca for 4 months after failing the nclex. during that time, i learned that rn's as a rule treat the techs like dirt, but don't know it!!!! like you, the rn's on my floor are quite a bit younger than i am (i'm 33). now that i'm a rn, my time as a pca taught me "how the other half lives" and showed me how i do not want to treat any tech who helps me take care of my patients. i know that i could not do my job without them, and i do my best to tell them and show them my appreciation.