Tough time with senior co-worker

MassED, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2008

Hi Guys,
I'm new to the ER. I've had experience in other specialties.. but have been on a slightly prolonged orientation since my transition to the ER has taken longer than I anticipated (as the manager put it, "I"m greener than we thought.. but that's ok!). I have this co-worker that keeps getting on my case.. asking me how much longer I'll be on orientation.. why I'm not off yet, etc. It seems so trivial, but it's bothersome to meet somebody negative when you just start your job.
Anyway, this particular co-worker was charge one day. I was one of the floats and had a serious patient that I was trying to send off to the unit (the nurses on the other side were pushing off taking report for this patient for as long as possible). I guess my charge nurse thought he wasn't as serious and expected me to help other patients.. and went off on me for staying with that patient for too long. So, in the end.. she pulled me from the float position and put me with another nurse for the rest of the day. To boot, the floor nurses are annoyed because I'm persisting about giving report... my charge is annoyed because I'm not helping other patients... it's like a lose-lose.
I don't know if she's going to go to the manager about all this... it doesn't seem serious.. but she seems like the kind of person that's never going to get off my case, period. She's also very clique-y. I hate to admit this, but it bothers me that she could turn the other nurses against me. I don't know if she's like this with all the new people. Has anybody had similar experiences? If so, what are some good ways to handle people behaving like this? She's making an otherwise incredible job seem burdening.

Dempather,

First off, how long your orientation is, is a matter between you and your manager and however long it takes YOU to feel comfortable. That being said, how long have you been on orientation?

That charge (senior) nurse is a petrified old cow and everyone else likely knows she's a witch as well. SO, document each of these occurrences with her and keep on your manager about how you're being treated. Mention that you are doing your best, learning, putting your best foot forward and this nurse appears to want to squash you. I have BEEN THERE. You won't stop the cliques, but you can stop this horrid behavior she is exhibiting towards you. So many older, seasoned nurses don't want a new perspective, or GOD FORBID: a better way of performing the same tasks. They are intimidated and threatened by you. Head to your manager and head this off at the pass. Who cares if this monster charge talks to the manager, you need to really have your guns blazing when you go in there. I am angry for you!

As for the floor nurses and not wanting to take report... that will never change. No one wants to talk to the ER nurses to get a patient. I would call the operator and have them transfer you so then they don't know it's the ER calling for report. The floor nurses don't understand (seems only ICU does) how things are in the ER and don't get the urgency to get things moving. Meanwhile, you have that patient, and are being yelled at to move them out while they give you another crumping one. So be persistent - you have to. Document all of your attempts to call report and when a charge nurse questions you on the timeliness, you tell them it is documented and you could use some help to speed the process (that's what they do as charge nurses: facilitate).

Back to the cliques. The ones that align with this evil one, you don't want them as your support system anyway. Like I wrote, they most likely know who the mean, rude, immature ones are, so you too will find out who they are and the good ones will seek you out and offer their support. Who ever thought we'd end up back in high school, eh?

I do think this is the arena where you have to learn to be quite adamant to stick up for yourself, to the point of beligerence sometimes. Sometimes other nurses will not back off and you have to take it to another level and involve management if they will not. Don't let it go, trust me.

Take care and I hope all goes well! Find a great nurse that you can learn from and have as a go-to person as well, that is always helpful. Good luck and keep fighting!!! I hope management will have your back as well - they should not tolerate workplace violence/ workplace hostility, as most places have policies in place on this.

TraumaNurseRN · Jun 22, 2008

Dempanther: Always remember>>>>>>>> It's YOUR nursing license and be an advocate for it at all times. :yeah: For the rude supervisor....I might suggest keeping a diary of your days in the ER, things said to you by her and if at any time there presents a need.....( use it)

That being said.....you might in your next meeting with your preceptor present this current frustration with her/him...and ask for guidance after presenting your side of the problem.

ERbunny · Jun 22, 2008

Oh great...another thread where the less experienced nurse is complaining about the more experienced ones in her department. Could it be possible that your charge nurse and the other nurses are right ? Instead of complaining about your mangaement, perhaps you should be grateful that they have extended your orientation, so that you will be a safe practitioner in the ER. Remember, as an orientee you are considered "non-productive" budget -wise (yes it IS a horrible term when you are probably working very hard).

Yes, do keep a log of the interactions you are concerned about. Are the comments derogatory, or are they trying to guide you ? The ER is very fast-paced, and sometimes nurses don't use the TLC to their peers they would use with their patients. I sincerely hope you succeed, as does your management, or they wouldn't have extended your orientation.

I do hope you realize that those experienced ED nurses are not basing their "judgement' of you on personal dislike. They probably do know more than you, and the really good ones will admit they are still learning also. PLease try to concentrate on your organizational skills and time mangagement, not worrying about cliques.

I hope I have not come across as terribly cold, but this site is loaded with threads griping about older nurses and their attitudes and abilities. I sincerely wish you well.

MassED, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2008

Oh great...another thread where the less experienced nurse is complaining about the more experienced ones in her department. Could it be possible that your charge nurse and the other nurses are right ? Instead of complaining about your mangaement, perhaps you should be grateful that they have extended your orientation, so that you will be a safe practitioner in the ER. Remember, as an orientee you are considered "non-productive" budget -wise (yes it IS a horrible term when you are probably working very hard).
Yes, do keep a log of the interactions you are concerned about. Are the comments derogatory, or are they trying to guide you ? The ER is very fast-paced, and sometimes nurses don't use the TLC to their peers they would use with their patients. I sincerely hope you succeed, as does your management, or they wouldn't have extended your orientation.
I do hope you realize that those experienced ED nurses are not basing their "judgement' of you on personal dislike. They probably do know more than you, and the really good ones will admit they are still learning also. PLease try to concentrate on your organizational skills and time mangagement, not worrying about cliques.
I hope I have not come across as terribly cold, but this site is loaded with threads griping about older nurses and their attitudes and abilities. I sincerely wish you well.

Were you not a new ER nurse at one point, do you forget how some nurses can be?? Give her a break! Sheesh. She acknowledged that she was green already and acknowledging that you need more time is commendable - with this other nurse throwing it in her face is unacceptable, rude, and none of her business. She just wants to put the OP on the schedule to relieve some of her obvious stress.

Any nurse in the ER has seen more seasoned nurses treat the not-so seasoned nurses like crap. It doesn't sound like the OP is questioning what they know, just not appreciating being treated like poop. Cliques CAN interfere in your organizational skills and time management, unfortunately. It's like you're telling the OP to ignore the harassment she is receiving, and why would or should she? That just paves the road for future behavior of that kind to other newer nurses to the ER. :confused:

penguin2 · Jun 22, 2008

Oh great...another thread where the less experienced nurse is complaining about the more experienced ones in her department. Could it be possible that your charge nurse and the other nurses are right ? Instead of complaining about your mangaement, perhaps you should be grateful that they have extended your orientation, so that you will be a safe practitioner in the ER. Remember, as an orientee you are considered "non-productive" budget -wise (yes it IS a horrible term when you are probably working very hard).
Yes, do keep a log of the interactions you are concerned about. Are the comments derogatory, or are they trying to guide you ? The ER is very fast-paced, and sometimes nurses don't use the TLC to their peers they would use with their patients. I sincerely hope you succeed, as does your management, or they wouldn't have extended your orientation.
I do hope you realize that those experienced ED nurses are not basing their "judgement' of you on personal dislike. They probably do know more than you, and the really good ones will admit they are still learning also. PLease try to concentrate on your organizational skills and time mangagement, not worrying about cliques.
I hope I have not come across as terribly cold, but this site is loaded with threads griping about older nurses and their attitudes and abilities. I sincerely wish you well.

Well said-- & I just "love" the attitude displayed by the poster who said "That charge (senior) nurse is a petrified old cow and everyone else likely knows she's a witch as well." Could that attitude be PART of the problem?? Easier than taking responsibility for NEEDING a longer orientation & looking at oneself!!

MassED, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2008

Well said-- & I just "love" the attitude displayed by the poster who said "That charge (senior) nurse is a petrified old cow and everyone else likely knows she's a witch as well." Could that attitude be PART of the problem?? Easier than taking responsibility for NEEDING a longer orientation & looking at oneself!!

Do you work in an ER? If you have (or are), you'd understand this is not uncommon. The OP did acknowledge being green and needing the longer orientation - the issue was with the charge RN being nasty to the OP. The nastiness exhibited by the charge nurse is exactly what we don't need in this profesion - the work is challenging enough without the added attitudes.

I do take offense to this charge nurse treating the OP poorly, which is why I used the terms I did to describe her (of course not knowing her) and it felt good. I have been the new nurse in the ER and observed many who came after me, all treated poorly by cliques of nurses who make it a point to be mean, disrespectful and hostile. It is unnecessary and not an environment that is conducive to learning in this challenging environment. It is even worse when management is aware but they do not take action, either because they don't want to lose nurses, or accept that the ER has this culture of nasty nurses and it's "just how it is."

realnursealso/LPN, LPN · Jun 23, 2008

Oh great...another thread where the less experienced nurse is complaining about the more experienced ones in her department. Could it be possible that your charge nurse and the other nurses are right ? Instead of complaining about your mangaement, perhaps you should be grateful that they have extended your orientation, so that you will be a safe practitioner in the ER. Remember, as an orientee you are considered "non-productive" budget -wise (yes it IS a horrible term when you are probably working very hard).
Yes, do keep a log of the interactions you are concerned about. Are the comments derogatory, or are they trying to guide you ? The ER is very fast-paced, and sometimes nurses don't use the TLC to their peers they would use with their patients. I sincerely hope you succeed, as does your management, or they wouldn't have extended your orientation.
I do hope you realize that those experienced ED nurses are not basing their "judgement' of you on personal dislike. They probably do know more than you, and the really good ones will admit they are still learning also. PLease try to concentrate on your organizational skills and time mangagement, not worrying about cliques.
I hope I have not come across as terribly cold, but this site is loaded with threads griping about older nurses and their attitudes and abilities. I sincerely wish you well.

I am an older nurse and I have never treated anyone new like you suggest. I think I worked with attitudes such as you describe a long time ago. These attitudes you describe tried to get me fired, but guess what? I was right, I got to keep my job, oh and by the way, the DON, she got fired.

ER06 · Jun 23, 2008

Wow, that sounds like one of the ER's I used to work in. Every place you work is going to have the same types of people, but with different faces and names; you know the bully nurses, the nice nurses, the ones you can count on in a pinch and those you can't count on, the "cliqs" or whatever, but who cares really? Remember why you are there, for that patient and for your love of ER nursing. Keep your focus.You can do it and make a difference. And experience comes with time. I love the quote "great, someone with less experience complaining about the more experienced nurses?" Sounds like she knows everything there is to know right? Those are the ones who usually DON"T know or have the "experience". And I have seen some "senior" nurses that I have worked with run circles around the younger nurses including me. I stay close by their side, because they have so much wisdom and knowledge that I can learn from.What has helped me also in the ER was obtaining as much education as possible through inservices, certifications and reading/studying. This is in addition to a 6 month critical care internship I did several years ago. Most of the people who reply on this forum are supportive, so don't let some of the comments of others get you down. Hang tough in there kid, you'll make it.

ERbunny · Jun 23, 2008

Once more...I do have some experience: 40 years in critical care and ED. New grads, who I love working with, have requested me to be their preceptor. Yes, I do remember being new. I was very lucky to have winderful preceptors both as a new CCU nurse, and when I changed to ER nursing. This is one reason why I think it is important to start people off on the right foot. My point was that there are always at least 2 sides to the story, and the OP's charge nurse may not be guilty as charged. The OP mentioned her previous experience in a different specialty. If she comes from critical care, sometimes it takes a while to adjust to the pace and rapidly changing conditons of the ER. "been there, done that", and have tried to help many make that transition.

TraumaNurseRN · Jun 23, 2008

oh great...another thread where the less experienced nurse is complaining about the more experienced ones in her department. could it be possible that your charge nurse and the other nurses are right ? instead of complaining about your mangaement, perhaps you should be grateful that they have extended your orientation, so that you will be a safe practitioner in the er. remember, as an orientee you are considered "non-productive" budget -wise (yes it is a horrible term when you are probably working very hard).
yes, do keep a log of the interactions you are concerned about. are the comments derogatory, or are they trying to guide you ? the er is very fast-paced, and sometimes nurses don't use the tlc to their peers they would use with their patients. i sincerely hope you succeed, as does your management, or they wouldn't have extended your orientation.
i do hope you realize that those experienced ed nurses are not basing their "judgement' of you on personal dislike. they probably do know more than you, and the really good ones will admit they are still learning also. please try to concentrate on your organizational skills and time mangagement, not worrying about cliques.
i hope i have not come across as terribly cold, but this site is loaded with threads griping about older nurses and their attitudes and abilities. i sincerely wish you well.

actually you did come across as coming off cold.....personally i think rude.( i think you protest too much) you must be one of those "older" nurses your peers gripe about. i am one of those tenure nurses, new grad to ed 11 years ago, and found the nurses i chose as mentors, you would not have been one of them obviously. you sound like one who does not want to be bothered.....and frankly, is not a "team member"/ kinda find the life vests and not tell anyone kind..... shame on you! perhaps you need a personal few days off or a change. we need to embrace the help we get in the er, one of the most difficult transitions in the hospital whether green or not. you make things ten times worse with the it"s all about me attitude. take a deep breath and remember how you felt....or were you a "know - it - all " then too? :banghead:

TraumaNurseRN · Jun 23, 2008

Once more...I do have some experience: 40 years in critical care and ED. New grads, who I love working with, have requested me to be their preceptor. Yes, I do remember being new. I was very lucky to have winderful preceptors both as a new CCU nurse, and when I changed to ER nursing. This is one reason why I think it is important to start people off on the right foot. My point was that there are always at least 2 sides to the story, and the OP's charge nurse may not be guilty as charged. The OP mentioned her previous experience in a different specialty. If she comes from critical care, sometimes it takes a while to adjust to the pace and rapidly changing conditons of the ER. "been there, done that", and have tried to help many make that transition.

you are beyond retirement age......get out before you go "postal" sheesh