Bg: started new job a couple months ago. Love my job but my problem?
I have been dealing with a couple of super type A ICU nurses. You know the type. The ones who seem to be super nurses. Always think their **** doesn't stink and think their way is the only way.
This wouldn't be an issue if I wasn't being precepted by a few of them and know they throw each other under the bus. The night shift preceptor I have is amazing but the day shift ones I have seem to enjoy picking me apart. They are always riding me and breathing down my neck.
I am type b. I learn by doing and not having some watch me like a hawk and criticizing every...single...thing that I do while I am doing it.
How do I deal with these people? I am almost done with orientation. My night shift preceptor is great and I only have a couple more weeks until I am on my own. But I know that I will be having to deal with those type A nurses and giving report to them.
Hoe does a type b introvert who is more about the big picture and less about the details survive in a type A icu nursing world that is always caught up in detail?
I am afraid to be ripped to shreds out of orientation for not being "perfect."
Bg: started new job a couple months ago. Love my job but my problem?
I have been dealing with a couple of super type A ICU nurses. You know the type. The ones who seem to be super nurses. Always think their **** doesn't stink and think their way is the only way.
This wouldn't be an issue if I wasn't being precepted by a few of them and know they throw each other under the bus. The night shift preceptor I have is amazing but the day shift ones I have seem to enjoy picking me apart. They are always riding me and breathing down my neck.
I am type b. I learn by doing and not having some watch me like a hawk and criticizing every...single...thing that I do while I am doing it.
How do I deal with these people? I am almost done with orientation. My night shift preceptor is great and I only have a couple more weeks until I am on my own. But I know that I will be having to deal with those type A nurses and giving report to them.
Hoe does a type b introvert who is more about the big picture and less about the details survive in a type A icu nursing world that is always caught up in detail?
I am afraid to be ripped to shreds out of orientation for not being "perfect."
Type A/type B does not matter here. What matters is you are in orientation and almost done.
Thanks everyone for the insight. I will continue to do what I am told to do just to get out of orientation and on my own. I will try to be as type A as possible in the meantime and learn as much as I can. Thankfully I am towards the end of day shift orientation and will be back on nights soon.
Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders! The only thing I would add is, don't try to change your personality type. Do everything else you said, but still be you. There isn't anything wrong with the way you are. Letting catty people make you feel like you need to change just lets them win. Good luck!
Or demanding to shove respiratory out the way to get work done and having to take longer to get certain cares done because I don't want to interrupt another professional's care on an unstable baby.
I'm with you here. That is highly inappropriate. Unless the RRT is doing a routine task while the baby needs immediate non-respiratory intervention, and is refusing to move...but otherwise? Voiding contests help nobody, and a critically ill pt needs both the RN and RRT. I'll fully admit that they have expertise that I don't.
You got it OP. Just keep your head low and mouth closed while on orientation. When you're on your own you can pull that curtain and do things your own way. Ofcourse following hospital policy procedure and orders.
I've never heard that type A doesn't see the big picture. I suppose I'm type A though I don't have the energy level I thought those types had. I'm driven at work, both detailed and big picture, but come home to veg on my couch and wait for the house to clean itself. "Over achiever" at work, lazy at home.
Libby, you are truly my twin! I'm the same, type A at work, type B at home
ICU is about details. Nurses are not free from bias and some think that if a nurse does not put a gown or diaper on perfectly straight and pay attention to detail they may also slack off with drips, assessment or other tasks. You know how when somebody's scrubs are clean but wrinkles up - while it looks clean there is suspicion that the person might not care enough.
In any way, it is also about the overall impression. After all, you have to fit into the team somehow and unless you plan on permanently working nightshift it is a good idea to get along with the day time team. Don't tell them that in your opinion the diaper does not matter - it will look like you do not take advice. Nod and smile.
I am still excited about the job. I am just so ready to be off of orientation and on my own. I have been getting some good feedback but I feel nitpick. On night shift it was different.
Ditto what others have said here.
And remember that some people are mean, insecure, proud of their knowledge and achievements, and are wonderful nurses whom you would want caring for you and your loved ones.
Aspire to be a great nurse and a great team player, be glad you have such good teachers, even if their personalities grate on you.
Before you know it, some newer nurse or some student will be looking up to you as the expert. You'll long for your days of newbyness.
I know the type. I'm also guessing something else you aren't saying: you're young and pretty too.
I'm so sorry. You deserve to learn without the snark. I've found some people, as well as nurses, are just that way. I can inventory a few Perfect Nurse's (PN's) from my own past looking back over the past 2 decades while still working ICU myself.
Here's my advice: Relax. Dot your I' s, cross your T' s, and no one can find fault with you.
One thing I've found is that an on coming shift always appreciates a freshly bathed, turned pt. In many ICU's pt's are bathed on both shifts, since most are total care. Bathe your pt right before shift change - those mean biddies will praise you to the heavens! (((This was something I saw done at a VA I worked at by 1 or 2 nurses - everyone RAVED about those two! I caught on quick!))).
One other thing - you'll find your own way, and settle into it comfortably eventually. Another new grad (unfortunately) will come along and seize their attention. Some people just cannot survive without drama and back-biting (how sad for them, huh?).
Remember: Every PN started out as a new nurse once upon a time too. Either they were road mercilessly, or they are just unkind in their hearts and it is a character flaw.
My own first preceptor (a WONDERFUL woman, and conscientious RN) gave me a card at the end of my 6 weeks of orientation. Her heartfelt advice still sticks in my head 22 years later which I will now share with you too: "You need to be your own best friend in this career, because nursing eats their young". This was a warning I didn't take fully to heart, at my own cost.
Give yourself some time to settle in to your new position. I bet it will all become rote and second nature sooner than you think. Pick 1 or 2 good nurses on your shift as a go-to person for 2nd opinions - everyone needs one of those to bounce stuff off of. Become all about the little details - let those PN's know you are off the menu!
I know the type. I'm also guessing something else you aren't saying: you're young and pretty too.
I'm so sorry. You deserve to learn without the snark. I've found some people, as well as nurses, are just that way. I can inventory a few Perfect Nurse's (PN's) from my own past looking back over the past 2 decades while still working ICU myself.
Here's my advice: Relax. Dot your I' s, cross your T' s, and no one can find fault with you.
One thing I've found is that an on coming shift always appreciates a freshly bathed, turned pt. In many ICU's pt's are bathed on both shifts, since most are total care. Bathe your pt right before shift change - those mean biddies will praise you to the heavens! (((This was something I saw done at a VA I worked at by 1 or 2 nurses - everyone RAVED about those two! I caught on quick!))).
One other thing - you'll find your own way, and settle into it comfortably eventually. Another new grad (unfortunately) will come along and seize their attention. Some people just cannot survive without drama and back-biting (how sad for them, huh?).
Remember: Every PN started out as a new nurse once upon a time too. Either they were road mercilessly, or they are just unkind in their hearts and it is a character flaw.
My own first preceptor (a WONDERFUL woman, and conscientious RN) gave me a card at the end of my 6 weeks of orientation. Her heartfelt advice still sticks in my head 22 years later which I will now share with you too: "You need to be your own best friend in this career, because nursing eats their young". This was a warning I didn't take fully to heart, at my own cost.
Give yourself some time to settle in to your new position. I bet it will all become rote and second nature sooner than you think. Pick 1 or 2 good nurses on your shift as a go-to person for 2nd opinions - everyone needs one of those to bounce stuff off of. Become all about the little details - let those PN's know you are off the menu!
Best of luck to you in your new job! :)
So sad that your advice is so sound, yet many of us will stop reading this post after your first sentence. And the NETY comments peppered throughout.
I am young but I don't know about about cuteness, lol.
I do like the idea of picking a couple of go-to nurses, especially when I am out of orientation and on my own. I know that I will have a resource person for at least a couple of weeks after I am finished with training and on my own.
Thanks!
I know the type. I'm also guessing something else you aren't saying: you're young and pretty too.
I'm so sorry. You deserve to learn without the snark. I've found some people, as well as nurses, are just that way. I can inventory a few Perfect Nurse's (PN's) from my own past looking back over the past 2 decades while still working ICU myself.
Here's my advice: Relax. Dot your I' s, cross your T' s, and no one can find fault with you.
One thing I've found is that an on coming shift always appreciates a freshly bathed, turned pt. In many ICU's pt's are bathed on both shifts, since most are total care. Bathe your pt right before shift change - those mean biddies will praise you to the heavens! (((This was something I saw done at a VA I worked at by 1 or 2 nurses - everyone RAVED about those two! I caught on quick!))).
One other thing - you'll find your own way, and settle into it comfortably eventually. Another new grad (unfortunately) will come along and seize their attention. Some people just cannot survive without drama and back-biting (how sad for them, huh?).
Remember: Every PN started out as a new nurse once upon a time too. Either they were road mercilessly, or they are just unkind in their hearts and it is a character flaw.
My own first preceptor (a WONDERFUL woman, and conscientious RN) gave me a card at the end of my 6 weeks of orientation. Her heartfelt advice still sticks in my head 22 years later which I will now share with you too: "You need to be your own best friend in this career, because nursing eats their young". This was a warning I didn't take fully to heart, at my own cost.
Give yourself some time to settle in to your new position. I bet it will all become rote and second nature sooner than you think. Pick 1 or 2 good nurses on your shift as a go-to person for 2nd opinions - everyone needs one of those to bounce stuff off of. Become all about the little details - let those PN's know you are off the menu!
Been there,done that, ASN, RN
7,241 Posts
Type A/type B does not matter here. What matters is you are in orientation and almost done.
Keep your head down and get through.
Cross your other bridges when you come to them.