Soon to be BSN, bashed and frustrated

Mkue · Dec 19, 2001

Sounds like you are being set up to fail. Is there any chance things could get better if you talk to someone there?

I feel for you, no one should have to walk on egg shells, better to communicate and be upfront.

rjlrn95 · Dec 19, 2001

Can you talk to your nurse manager about the situation?

Sounds like you may just need to transfer to another unit and/or institution. Don't start your nursing career in a unit that is already not supportive.

The big thing here is to be really careful in not crossing lines for your area of responsibility.

As a tech you may not be allowed to teach IS but in some institutions you may and even tho you are so close to your nursing liscense don't jeoprodize that by overstepping your bounds.

Find out exactly what your tech job entails and be sure any skill you are allowed to do, that you get a check off by a staff RN and have IN WRITING a signed ck off sheet by the rn. Keep copies of everything.

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Dec 19, 2001

Ditto the transfer. Sounds like the other tech's may feel threatened by your advanced knowledge and skills. If you can't get anywhere with your nurse manager, transfer or go somewhere where they value your contributions.

If you were the tech on my unit, I would kiss the ground you walked on!

shanzah · Dec 19, 2001

First of all...Congratulations on working toward your BSN!!!!!

I have worked under similar circumstances as well. Both as a tech and then later as a nurse.

If you think that someone is trying to jeopardize your position, find someone in upper management that you feel you can talk to.

I have been a nurse for almost 7 years. I have found that nurses can be VERY TERRITORIAL when there is someone new to the floor...whether it is a tech, nurse, etc. I work PRN so sometimes if the census is low on my floor, I have to float to another area....and let me tell you, they can be cold. After a while, they warm up...but it can be tough at first. Atleast in my experience...(but I have also felt very welcome at other times as well. )

I just try to lead by example...I keep it professional...but I let them know where I stand. I just tell myself that I am there to do what is right for the patients and their families. I know it can be hard when you feel like everyone is glaring or you hear them say things. But anyone that has met me and worked with me knows that I will stand my ground.

Just give it your best...there are all kinds of people out there in the medical profession.

shanzah · Dec 19, 2001

Originally posted by hoolahan
Ditto the transfer. Sounds like the other tech's may feel threatened by your advanced knowledge and skills. If you can't get anywhere with your nurse manager, transfer or go somewhere where they value your contributions.

If you were the tech on my unit, I would kiss the ground you walked on!

Hard working and thorough techs and nurses are such an asset!

We would roll out the red carpet!

pooshkie · Dec 20, 2001

Originally posted by pooshkie
I won't get into meta dramatics here. I am having a really challenging time and am all cried out. Three years ago,I dropped out of my college four weeks before graduation. Going through a divorce, and going through sheer hell with my ex. He wanted custody of our ten-year -old daughter, and went through great lengths to get it, including the police showing up at my door one evening handcuffing me, and charging me with felony child cruelty. Anyway the case went to court and was dismissed altogether.

Well, here it is three and a half years later, I have enrolled at a college to complete my last four semester hours in order to obtain my long worked for( ten years) BSN. I will sit for the NCLEX In April. I am so blessed and happy to enter this wonderful profession.

I have worked in sales for these three years in order to make a heap of money to pay off attorney fees, etc. I then made the decision to work in a hospital as a tech to transit into an RN position.

This is where the problems begin. From day one i have been abused by most of the nurses, they have given me glares, have been totally uncommuicative, and I swear, it is like pulling teeth to get a report.

Anyway, I am orienting to the unit with a technician who does not know how to use the computer, and when the blood pressure machine screwed up, she informed me she didn't know how to use a stethescope. She had '' words with me" BECAUSE I taught a patient and her son how to use an incentive spirometer that had been sitting in the room unopened since Monday. Shortly thereafter I overheard her reporting me to one of the glaring nurses., who said, she should'nt be doing that.
Well, excuse me! So what if the patient is "weak" and due to receive chemo today? Was I wrong? The spirometer is a simple intervention, and if the woman uses it-great.

Please understand I was'nt tring to cause animosity. I just love to teach, I am a proffessional. and my patients health and well- being are my priority, and i'm getting abused as a result.

I feel like i am walking on eggshells here, and for a few brief moments today, I was afraid to say anything to anyone. I'm preety sure the tech who's orienting me is repoting me badly to the unit director. Please give me some feedback. I feel totaaly alone.

pooshkie · Dec 20, 2001

Hello everyone, I really appreciate the replys. So this is what im gonna do. Act like a total retard and everything will be cool. NNOOOOO, not really although it did cross my mind. I will take your advice to check my skills list for the IS. if its not there, i'll apologize for stepping on toes and move on. The good news is my shift will change to nights this weekend. It will be six months before i can request a transfer, so i'll play it real cool till then.Yes, i will talk to my nurse manager; I believe she's very competent,and can separate the wheat from the chaffe, so to speak. I've hitherto tried to avoid that avenue, hoping i could work it out with the team. But---I believe if i had screwed up she would have done something about it by now- i'm not altogether sure though- so i will speak with her tomorrow.

Thanks again to all of you---God bless.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Dec 20, 2001

FIRST, welcome to the board. I think you are great for taking up your education again......it took me 9 years to go back!!!

Second: My Daddy used to call me your nickname....where did it come from? I have NEVER seen anyone with it before.

Third: You are working with a bunch of bishes...I know that comes as a surprise to you.......The Univ. of SC motto is

"Illegitimi non carborundum."

Don't let the bast*** wear you down"

Fourth: Keep coming back here.....we'll watch your back.

:)

Teshiee · Dec 20, 2001

I would like to commend you for getting your education despite the hell you have been through! Have you ever heard the saying PLAYER HATING? These women are obviously jealous of your expertise, wishing they could do what you do. I would transfer out and find a place where your talents will be appreciated. I wish you all good luck with your endeavors. Take care.

pooshkie · Dec 20, 2001

Originally posted by P_RN
FIRST, welcome to the board. I think you are great for taking up your education again......it took me 9 years to go back!!!

Second: My Daddy used to call me your nickname....where did it come from? I have NEVER seen anyone with it before.

Third: You are working with a bunch of bishes...I know that comes as a surprise to you.......The Univ. of SC motto is
"Illegitimi non carborundum."
Don't let the bast*** wear you down"

Fourth: Keep coming back here.....we'll watch your back.

:)

askater · Dec 22, 2001

As an aide I had a job 5 minutes away. It was on an oncology unit. I enjoyed it and all the nurse's praised me.

I than stayed in that institution/interviewed with a supervisor on a med/surg step-down unit. I loved the supervisor and that I would be learning. But one week I got a new supervisor....the supervisor from *ell. This lady ridiculed me...told me I was a bad nurse in front of a patient. ETC.

I left that job to be at my current job. (a different hospital)The supervisor's love me. So do all the staff. Some of the nursing staff were stand-offish at first....but I've gotten to "learn" how to deal with them.

What I'm getting at...NEVER let anyone intimidate you. I thought I was a "bad" nurse. I really did. But I've regained my confidence. And have been told positive things. In fact, when I get pulled to other units, nurses have asked me to work on their unit.

Congratulations with your BSN degree!!