Unsolicited Warnings....

Nurses Relations

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So, I started my new position and I'm loving it so far! My new hospital is awesome so, I feel blessed for this opportunity. My ONLY issue is:

I keep getting unsolicited warnings from some of the nurses.

For instance, one newish nurse told me, quite blatantly, "watch your back" Another, basically said that the nurses would likely give me a hard time. Yet, another went on a 5 minute early morning rant about the unit.

It's got me wondering.....should I take these unsolicited warnings seriously? Are these nurses just a touch bitter? And, why in the world are they telling me this stuff?!!

The unit seems great to me. Has anyone else started a new job and experienced this? Did the warnings turn out to be true or just fluff?

I see everyone is generally on the same page. I guess I should tread lightly, which is kind of a bummer because I was really looking forward to getting to know my new team. However, I can also agree with the idea that there must be some reason I keep hearing these warnings.

I am not a fan of workplace politics.:no:

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I've had similar.....so what I have done is take it with a grain of salt. I watch what I say to people and keep quiet and my opinion unknown for a while until I know people's personality better.

Great point. I tend to know right away about people though. I follow my gut and it has never lead me astray. If something seems "off", I stay clear.

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I see everyone is generally on the same page. I guess I should tread lightly, which is kind of a bummer because I was really looking forward to getting to know my new team. However, I can also agree with the idea that there must be some reason I keep hearing these warnings.

I am not a fan of workplace politics.:no:

Treading lightly and keeping your head down except for friendly greetings and appropriate questions/offers of help is the usual wise course in a new job until you really have your bearings.

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.

It does sound like you're being recruited for one side vs. the other.

Be everybody's friend. Do your job with a pleasant nonjudgmental disposition. Take the high ground until you get the lay of the land.

I'd love to hear how this plays out. (where is that popcorn eating emoji when you need it)

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Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.

I would remain neutral and be cautious. Sit back and observe so you can form your own opinions. I have been the person to warn new people at work about things to watch out for. When I started at one job a few people gave me vague warnings but no one gave names or were too specific. I found out soon enough what the warnings were about. Where there is smoke, there is fire.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

Moved thread to Nurse colleague/patient relations

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Specializes in nursing education.

I've heard it said that the one who tells you to watch your back, beware of all the evil people who work here, is the one around whom you have to be the most careful.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I've heard it said that the one who tells you to watch your back, beware of all the evil people who work here, is the one around whom you have to be the most careful.

This. I hate this kind of crap. I don't buy the "where there is smoke there is fire" stuff and frankly, I don't understand what "watch your back" is supposed to mean. I'm no spring chicken and here is how I handle this kind of stuff.

I do not watch for what they are talking about and I do not get involved.

I do my job. I do it well. I am impartial and friendly. I get the lay of the land before I make waves. I treat others how I want to be treated. I smile. I ask questions about the work. I get to know my coworkers and begin to form my opinions on who is a rabble rouser (the person doing the warning always is it seems). I don't oust that person from my sphere but I do take what they say with a grain of salt. And I keep doing my job and doing it well.

I get along with people I work with. I am well liked and I love enjoying the people I work with. This is far from my first rodeo. My experience has been that if you look for the "fire", you are absolutely going to find it and likely get burned by it. I avoid fires and people who build or feed them like the plague.

There is just something wrong with someone approaching a new hire to "warn" them off. It is usually far more to do with bitterness, competitiveness or their own insecurities than it has to do with any genuine wish to be helpful. If there is more than one at a new job, honestly I keep interviewing and go elsewhere. Life is too short for that kind of toxicity.

I would just go on being a good nurse and a good person and let those involved in a war duke it out without you.

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Just ask them to come with you to the charge nurses office and tell the to say that again, then ask them to explain them self right in front of the charge nurse.

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I would tuck the information away. Most times there is some validity in these comments. Often the employees making these comments are just tired of the nonsense themselves. Some may be trying to warn you, others might be looking to vent. I wouldn't let it diminish my excitement. I don't know of any perfect employers.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

Yeah I've experienced this and sometimes the warnings were valid but I'm not one to indulge my own paranoia. It's always good to "watch one's back" keeping things professional, not gossiping or slacking in one's standards. Go by the book (policy and procedure) of your facility and you should be fine.

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Specializes in critical care.

I got these kinds of warnings, too. It made me decide early that I'll enjoy my coworkers and have fun during shifts, help as much as possible, but I'll keep those relationships at work. No outside of work friendships. I've added a couple of them on facebook, but only people I've never heard gossip. It took months to decide to add anyone at all. My rule - if you've never talked about facebook at work within my earshot, I might add you. So far that's only been like, 4 people. Now that I've been there about 10 months, I've gotten a good idea who is drama and who isn't. As a previous poster said, it's usually the people who did the warning in the first place.

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