Tired of people disrespecting where I work before I even start

[sarah_bellum]

I just wanted to know if anyone else has had this experience. I have just taken a position at a small independent hospital in my city that had a bad rep in the 1970s before it became independent.

I have given my two weeks notice at my other job and have been telling my family, friends and co-workers where I will be working. I have heard out of more than one mouth "Oh, you're going to work at the death hospital"

I am excited about my new job and was impressed with the CCU that I will be working in when I interviewed. I was a little dissapointed in people's prejudices, and can't come up with a current reason to support these accusations.

I am not sure how to even react to this, I currently work at a campus police department and flew off at the mouth and announced that when they go work for "a real police department" I will leave the "death hospital" I know this was rude, but I was tired of all the ribbing I was getting.

What is an appropriate response to this lovely nickname this institution has recieved? Any ideas? My response was uncouth and unprofessional and I would like a different one.

:angryfire

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

You know i wonder if I work the same place you are going? LOL,, my hospital has a rep like that, which is totally unfounded except for a play on its name. People in small towns always seem to think they get better care in a larger hospital but thats not the case. We hear so many horror stories coming out of hospitals in neighboring cities its not funny. Call lights answered over an intercom then waiting 15 or more minutes for anyone to actually show their face in your room, if they do. Nothing worse than having a call light answered by a speaker in a wall rather than by a real person.

My thoughts are care is more personal at smaller hospitals, so with more time to give personal care the more likely we notice things going wrong before they get serious. Dont waste your time on those people,, because guess where they will go when they need a hospital,,, yep,, they wont travel 45 miles to the bigger hospital, they will be glad to have someone attend to their needs when they need them.

Smaller hospitals can also make very good learning experiences, and offer a more personal friendly work environment.

Good luck in your new job.

[pricklypear]

Sometimes I think people just hold onto beliefs and prejudices too long. Rumors fly about how "bad" one hospital is and they stick.

I think I would just respond "A lot has changed since then, and it is a very good hospital these days." Or, " I realize you don't agree with my decison, but I have good reasons for working there, and I was very impressed with the unit I will be on. I would appreciate it if you would keep your opinion to yourself from now on."

Of course - that is easier written than said!!!!!!!

I work at a small hospital that has had a bad rap in the past. I got sort of the same resposes when I left a large, regional medical center to go there. There is a different environment at a smaller hospital - they have their good points and their bad points!!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Just give them the "LOOK" You know the one where you mean "I can't believe you said that to me." Don't defend, or offend, just stand there and LOOK.

[Mystery5]

It's a small town thing, as a poster said above. A lot of folks in smalltowns these days are actually transplants from big cities I've noticed, and they tend to drive a zillion miles to pay $.05 less for something. Also, negative talk speads like wildfire in a small community, and everyone is proud of being in the know regarding the ineptitude of a doctor, nurse, etc.

I also work in a small hospital, which actually is extremely well staffed. We received some sort of special award for excellence for rural hospitals. I've also worked for a medium-sized hospital in the next county where people will often go for stuff, seeking better care. That bigger hospital sucks, staffs extremely poorly, and gives lousier care. Yes,they have a cath lab and we don't, but for what we do, we do it better. And I tell people so.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I'd reply "do people you work with talk to you like this?"