Hi, in your opinion, what could I do to be viewed at as a "strong" nurse vs a "weak" nurse. I feel that on my floor, (a busy CVICU) that the charge nurses see me as just a mediocre nurse. Not weak, I've been there forever it seems, just not very strong. Even though it would seem silly to you, I'd like to learn charge nurse duties, and I've been seeing that in the absence of a regular charge nurse, they will place a nurse in charge who has been there for half the time I have been. I've heard them say (when trying to chose the shifts charge RN) "Oh, Jane is a strong nurse, she can do it". And believe me, I've asked the manager, but apparently I'm not in the clique! Now, even though I have a strong personality, when it comes to work, and in a group, I often find myself following & being pushed out of the way. I know what to do in certain situations, I guess I'm just scared of doing the wrong thing with a group of cliquey nurses. I'm on top of my patient care, rarely needing assistance/advice (they actually look DOWN on people who ask 'too many questions'!!). Maybe I just answered my own question. I guess I need more self confidence. But in a group of cliques, where they ALL think they're right, how do I shine?
