Terrified to start as a new RN

[enfermeratobe]

Hello everyone new RN here graduated in May passed the nclex the first time in June. I am extremely excited and proud of my accomplishments but so nervous to start my new job. Some background information is I was an LPN for a year in a pediatric office while finishing RN school. I got into the RN program just 6 months after graduating LPN school. I had a terrible experience in this pediatric office. The woman there were horrible to me and very caddy. They would often make remarks about my weight behind my back calling me a fat whale and a fat a**. They would talk about how slow I am giving vaccines and just "slow in general". They would belittle me in front of providers. One example is I one time cleaned six rooms and forgot a cheerio in a bun the nurse came back after lunch grabbed the cheerio showed it to everyone In the office and "couldn't believe I did that and didn't pay attention" even though I cleaned all the rooms so they could go to lunch. We once got a new peice of equipment that everyone was formally trained on while I was in class, when I asked to be trained they just told me you watched the YouTube video on it you should be fine. I eventually got formal training after speaking with a provider about this incident. They got more nasty to me after I got into RN school and couldn't work full time hours. Anyways I left that toxic environment my last semester of nursing school and got hired for a small hospital here for their labor and delievery unit. This is my dream job. As I have to go in tommorrow to do new hire paperwork I am terrified! Terrified I will be belittled again and will be made to feel small stupid and incompetent it's taking everything in me to not deny the position and just not work as a nurse again. I am even more nervous that this is a specialty unit and don't want to look incompetent and dumb. Any advice to gain my confidence back and how to deal with nurse bullies? Thank you for listening!

[Atl-Murse]

You can blame God for creating those cretins, they exist everywhere you go. Ignore them, have fun at your new job GL

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

No one can make you feel small and stupid and incompetent unless you LET them.

Start your new job with your head held high and your hand out, introducing yourself to everyone you meet. Introduce yourself as many times as it takes for them to remember your name and you to remember theirs. Spend a few seconds every day chatting with your co-workers. It pays off in better workplace relationships, and it's not that difficult. "Hi, I'm enfermeratobe, I'm a new nurse here. Are you here every day, or do you work other units in the hospital, too?" And later it's, "Good morning! The traffic on I-95 was awful this morning. Did you get caught in it?" Greet someone, ask a question and then chances are all you have to do is listen.

Chances are, if you don't go looking for bullies, you won't find them.

[gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN]

Just be friendly and offer your help. I was a travel RN for quite a few years. My first assignment I was terrified! But found a friendly face. I was always cordial. I ran across some who were catty but at the end of the contract every one was always good to me. Most people are good at their core. I'm 56 so I've seen a lot. Good luck and have fun.

[ChryssyD]

Congratulations on landing your dream job! I'm so happy for you.

Nasty people can be found anywhere. Just remember that the problem is in them, not you. Yes, some people can't seem to deal with big folk. I'm not sure why, because your body is your concern, not anyone else's. But you don't have to let it hurt you. Again, they're the problem.

I do tend to believe, though, that people will respond to your attitude and demeanor more than your appearance if you come across as both friendly and confident. Bullies don't like to bully confident people, since they are cowards at heart and don't want to pick on people who refuse to be cowed by their intimidation. Be unafraid--you are a fellow professional and these people shouldn't bully you; if they do, just ignore them. Keep being the beautiful person you are. Nothing will punish them more. :)

[Captain_k]

I disagree with most of the other comments.

Suggesting that people like that are in every work place is simply not true. That is not a normal experience you had, and I truly believe you need to make a formal complaint and report those awful people. I am so sorry that happened to you.

That does not happen in a normal workplace. You might have coworkers you don't like, but you should never be bullied like thAt. I really think you will go to your new work place and have a blast and be able to breathe a sigh of relief when you realize you were in an abnormal environment at your last job. Just be friendly, be confident, and do your best. It will be great.

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

There is always a bit of a challenge adjusting to a new environment. Combine that with a new role (LPN or RN), and of course you will feel as you do. But these are circumstances that will pass once you become familiar with what's expected of you. You'll find that your questions will become fewer and fewer as time passes. Believe it or not, those "bullies" that you encounter will fade into the background and occupy very little of your mind and space. Besides, every bully has some internal short-coming that he or she is trying to cover up, and barks to keep people from getting too close out of fear that the flaw will be revealed...in my opinion.

The short of it is, there is something about you that they admire or are afraid of themselves. Taking a proactive approach as Ruby Vee said will cast an atmosphere of confidence and willingness to get to know your colleagues and job responsibilities, and expectations.

Congratulations and good luck with the new position!