They Win!!!(long)

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/CVICU/ED/HS.

OK...THEY WIN!!!!!!!!...I have worked ICU for 2+ years, came to Alaska to work and fish and hunt and...well, you get the idea. At the interview, the NM asked if I would work in the ICU, as that is where my expierience is. I agreed, small, 4 bed, low acuity almost literally 1-on-1 nursing. The back-biting began almost immediately. The first day of orientation, I introduced myself to my preceptor, you know, "Hi, my name is______, I am the new nurse." Her reaction? "I don't have TIME for a (F-word) new nurse!" I then took a deep breath and said, "new here, not a new nurse." "I don't care, I don't have time." Welcome to the unit!:angryfire As time went on it got worse, I could do no right. Finally off "orientation" and things went down hill. Finally, after 4 months of "I am NOT gonna quit." A position opened in ED...Applied...Start Dec. 1st. I know that there is not supposed to be any vulgarities on this board, and there won't be from me, but, it is enough to make a preacher cuss. BTW...Did I mention I am a male?...The only one in the unit? The majority of other male nurses are in the ED...Where I am going. There is a thread labled "Why are nurses leaving the ICU?" This is why...At least for me. I am in no way, shape or form dumb, I have reasonable skills, and ACLS/PALS/BTLS Instructor, so, I am not stupid, just the wrong gender.

THANX for allowing me to vent...(DEEP BREATH)...Moving to ED. THEY WIN!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hopefully you will love the ER! I lived in Alaska for two years from 86 to 88 and loved it too!

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

First, wanted to say congrats. Hope you like the new job.

However, I have my doubts that your problems stemmed from you being male. Unless someone actually told you that to your face? In my experience, I've seen plenty of male ICU nurses; as many males worked in our ICU as they did in our ED. It's always been Med/Surge that has seemed to repell the males.

Your problems stemmed from working in a nasty environment, plain and simple. I hope the ED treats you better.

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Specializes in CCU/CVU/ICU.
OK...THEY WIN!!!!!!!!...I have worked ICU for 2+ years, came to Alaska to work and fish and hunt and...well, you get the idea. At the interview, the NM asked if I would work in the ICU, as that is where my expierience is. I agreed, small, 4 bed, low acuity almost literally 1-on-1 nursing. The back-biting began almost immediately. The first day of orientation, I introduced myself to my preceptor, you know, "Hi, my name is______, I am the new nurse." Her reaction? "I don't have TIME for a (F-word) new nurse!" I then took a deep breath and said, "new here, not a new nurse." "I don't care, I don't have time." Welcome to the unit!:angryfire As time went on it got worse, I could do no right. Finally off "orientation" and things went down hill. Finally, after 4 months of "I am NOT gonna quit." A position opened in ED...Applied...Start Dec. 1st. I know that there is not supposed to be any vulgarities on this board, and there won't be from me, but, it is enough to make a preacher cuss. BTW...Did I mention I am a male?...The only one in the unit? The majority of other male nurses are in the ED...Where I am going. There is a thread labled "Why are nurses leaving the ICU?" This is why...At least for me. I am in no way, shape or form dumb, I have reasonable skills, and ACLS/PALS/BTLS Instructor, so, I am not stupid, just the wrong gender.

THANX for allowing me to vent...(DEEP BREATH)...Moving to ED. THEY WIN!!!!!!!!!!

Dude,

It's cuz you're a dude. I hate that. Luckily i was able to survive that kinda crap and am still an ICU nurse. I just kinda think of them as my 'harem'...makes it easier. ;)

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Specializes in Hospital, med-surg, hospice.

OOOHHH! This is the kind of thing that gives all nurses a bad name! I'm so sorry you had that experience, but you already know they knew you were coming and made up their minds not to accept you sight unseen, don't you? It is that way at the hospital I work (I'm on busy med/surg floor) the nurses in both SICU and MICU have ran off several new nurses, it seems they are happy with their little group and don't care for outsiders...just so you know its not anti-male, one unit has 3 male nurses and they are just as bad...don't be discouraged...we would buy you lunch, give you as long an orientation as you wanted, help you as much as you needed if you came to our unit!! We need all the nurses we can get...

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Specializes in Hospital, med-surg, hospice.

I'm really surprised there is so much anti-male attitude out there...we have quite a few male nurses at this hospital..they are very welcome

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I love working with the guys...they generally have a good sense of humor and are laid back, don't get involved in gossip, etc;

well there is an exception to this on our unit (one of the guys is a real troublemaker) but in the end, guys on the unit really seem to balance it out. That goes for all levels of staffing, be it a PCT, monitor tech, or RN.

And hey, you can't argue with a good set of muscles to help get that 400# pt off the floor! ;)

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Hey, I've worked (work with) people like that too though not in ICU, I don't think it's your gender, they probably would have treated you the same way had you been female.

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Specializes in Cardiac.
Dude,

It's cuz you're a dude. I hate that. Luckily i was able to survive that kinda crap and am still an ICU nurse. I just kinda think of them as my 'harem'...makes it easier. ;)

Yikes! 'Your harem'? Please tell me this is a joke.

To the OP, congrats on leaving that place behind! I know sometimes we don't want to leave a place just because that would mean 'they won'. But, whatever! Move on, and I hope the ED is a lot better to you!

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I think you won! Atleast now you won't be stuck in a place with nurses that have nasty attitudes like that!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I hate nurses like that! Gender aside, she should have been counseled for her attitude, did you discuss the greeting with the nurse manager? Was it just blown off? What a shame! I hope you like the ER.

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Specializes in CCU/CVU/ICU.
Yikes! 'Your harem'? Please tell me this is a joke.

!

Yes a joke..perhaps a BAD man-to-man joke.

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