875 Posts
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....
16 Posts
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 It can be impressive the motivation that 'being superceded' can promote.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.
angel337, MSN, RN
899 Posts
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.