stress from new er job

[ER06]

I took a new er job (kept my old er job for just one-two days a week) and I have been at the new job for about 5 mths now. It is more money; I took a sign on bonus and the hours I can live with but the STRESS! It is the second busiest ER in our city and they sure weren't kiddin'. I have come to realize that I love ER nursing but not all of the other things we have to deal with. Every shift there is some kind of issue or problem that arrises. For example, I feel for one I get dumped on. Why that is I don't know for sure. It is very "clicky" and I'm not in it apparently. The same people every shift will be sitting down a lot, talking, enjoying life while the other group which includes me, will be running around short of breath, like a fool because of the unsafe assignment that has been dumped on them. At my other job, I have worked there for 5 years, I know every one and have good working relationships, but the pay just wasn't there. I'm sure this will take time at the new job too, if I can hold out. It has been brought up in meetings by some of the "unpopular kids" in our er of the unfair work assignments. I was busy all night last night while others got to check their e-mails, etc. Now, my biggest concern is a rash I have developed on my arms, abd, part of my legs also. I freaked out about it and have been ruled out for everything. I took a round of steroids, and was also getting weekly steroid shots which I have stopped for fear of diabetes and have spent co-pay after co-pay for dr visits, meds, steroid creams etc. I talked with a friend today and we think it is autoimmune from stress from this new Job! Because it didn't start until after I took it. I really don't want to "quit" or give up I'm not easily "run off". I have made friends and one of them gave me a hug and offered encouragement which helped. Any thoughts?

[angel337, MSN, RN]

i know exactly how you feel. i could have written that post myself. i have been at this ER job for a little over 2 years now and i just deal with it in my own way. those people that are sitting...ask them for help. say "i am really slammed over here can you start an IV for me or give these meds??" don't drown if you don't have to , because the first time you make a mistake or do something unsafe those "sitting people" will say "well she didn't ask for help". trust me it can happen. ignore the cliques because all nursing units have them. ER is a team player environment and you cannot survive if people don't help you. you are not super nurse and neither are the other nurses. they always dump on new people. i don't know why they do it but unfortunately you are made to feel like "can i handle it?? the key is to use your resources..the charge nurse, other nurses, the techs. that's what they are there for. you handle what you can, but don't EVER try to bite more than you can chew. good luck and DON"T QUIT.

[KatieBell]

ER for some reason is one of the most Clique-y places I have worked. WHen I started, I too experienced the clique, and the overload of stuff.

Over time a lot of the clique finally quit, and we were left with the lifers (20 yrs in one place) and people like me, hard hard workers.

I agree, delegate specific tasks, dont just ask for help because then someone will start to complain you are asking for help, just ask for an IV start, or a repeat enzyme drawn, or can you DC my one patient please....

You might have hives from stress, so important during your off time to really rest and relax. Do you exersise regularly? Been a life saver for me....

[ozinurse]

I empathise, sounds like the pits, but I think a lot of people have similar stories.

It sounds like you have good work ethics. Keep at it and always maintain your integrity. Lazy people are more than happy to pull you down, so that they look better.

Like the other comments, ask for help if you need it. Particularly your in-charge. If it is anything like our environment, it is their job to ensure you have the resources to do you job safely (for both you and the patients).

I don't know how you allocate your patients, but if their is a way or defining who are there patients and who are yours, concentrate on yours and people will easily see where the deficits are. If you don't have allocation of patients, maybe it is something you could suggest. This is hard to do when you know there are patients who need attention and you know are not getting sufficient.

If these are senior people sitting on their butts, (which is often the case) you often have to be the person that they you want them to be. It can be impressive the motivation that 'being superceded' can promote.

Also remember that there are other jobs out there, and if you are really miserable, try somewhere that will appreciate you.