WHat floors are more fun/social??

Gompers, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2005

I think the best advice was to work in a place with a patient population that interests you. If you enjoy your job, you'll have a lot more fun, period.

Otherwise...in my experience, the more staff, the more fun. Like, when I worked as a CNA in med-surg, there were like 4 nurses and 3 CNAs per shift. Plus, it was always so busy we didn't have the time or energy to crack jokes. But in the two NICUs where I've worked, there are tons more people working and it really seems to make a difference. We're talking about 18 nurses a shift, not to mention respiratory therapists, secretaries, etc. There is bound to be someone in that group that you will get along with and hang out with during your shift. Better odds, if you will.

My current unit usually has 15-20 nurses per shift, and it's a "open" unit, so while there are a few different areas of patients, there are still like 4-6 nurses working in each area. Lots of people to chat with during downtime without having to go more than 10 feet from our patients. Many have been there for 20 years, others have just started in the past few months. But we all get along, for the most part, and if things are relatively calm, we have a great time. Working nights also helps - less busy, able to have fun without worrying about managers thinking we're not doing our jobs, etc. Plus, on nights we have less support from the docs and other services, so we have to work together as a team if a baby goes down the tubes - so that right there really helps bring us together.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Dec 16, 2005

Although I agree that this should not be your top priority....I DO think it is important. When you are working 36h+ with the same group of people day in and day out, you want a comfortable environment with a good rapport established and to be able to add a little spice of humor here and there to relieve stress. I can do my job professionally whether I like my co-workers or not, but it certainly is more personally satsifying when my co-workers are close friends that I can laugh with every now and then. Just a word of caution, do NOT let this get in the way of pt care or get too caught up in gossip, etc. On my ICU floor, I prefer working nights/weekends because the nurses are just as great, but a little more laid back.....which I chock up to the fact that most of the MDs have gone home, PT/OT/Radiology/Dietician/Dialysis is also not in and out, etc...just a quieter atomosphere where the nurse has more one on one time with the patient, more down time, and more time to teach me (a nurse tech) all the ins and outs of real nursing. I love it!

cursenurse · Dec 16, 2005

i think that emergency is great. i don't see anything wrong with the OP trying to find a unit that she would have fun on. i actually like the people that i work with, we have alot of fun while working. it does not interfere with the standard of care that we provide to the pt's. someone mentioned making sure that the nurse fits in with the culture on the unit, that is very important. if she wants to work around young people, a gender mix, what's wrong with that? what is wrong with being able to enjoy yourself while on the job? it doesn't have to detract from the care that the pt receives. a nurse who is happy where he/she is practicing is more likely to stay, and is definitely more pleasant to work with. i'm sure we have all worked with nurses who are always discontented, those nurses are discouraging. you don't want to work with people who hate what they do. i agree with the poster who suggested shadowing, you can tell about the culture before you get locked in to the unit.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2005

i don't see anything wrong with the OP trying to find a unit that she would have fun on. i actually like the people that i work with, we have alot of fun while working. it does not interfere with the standard of care that we provide to the pt's.

You know, I think that a social unit - and I mean friendly, not gossipy - only improves the standard of care. As I mentioned in my post about working nights - our unit is like a big friendly team during the off-shift. We work in a very emotionally draining area (NICU) and it really helps having lots of people around to talk to. Because we're so friendly, it's very nice for the influx of new grads we've recently had - they're all off orientation now and are all very happy and gaining confidence. There's virtually no one they need to "stay away from" who might cause them grief. They feel comfortable asking anyone for help or advice. It really is a very nice place to work. That is so important, especially for the first year of nursing.

So I understand the OP. Who wants to spend the first year working in an area where people don't have a bit of fun sometimes? It's hard enough adjusting to the new job - having to worry about not getting along with coworkers or not fitting in with the group doesn't help anything.

Try and go by word of mouth, or pay close attention to areas you do clinicals in. If you can tell a floor or unit is a great place to work and that the employees seem to have a good time working together, or if you hear from a friend of a friend that their workplace is wonderful - check these things out instead of just blindly jumping into a place you know nothing about.

Good luck.

allnurses Guide · Dec 16, 2005

One, just because some nurses may like to have "fun" at work does not mean that they are partiers--I for one love to have a good time at work but this is with my patients just as much as with my co-workers and more because I absolutely LOVE being a nurse.
Two, I am one of 3 men who work on a surgical floor and people with sour attitudes like you seem to feel alienated but not because of cliques but more for their negative, cranky attitudes.
Three, sounds like your name fits your personality...like I said to an earlier poster, SMILE AND LAUGH YOU WILL LIVE LONGER!

This was directed at me and at the post that I made.

I apologize for my post. I really don't have anything against having fun at all, especially and particularly at work, and there isn't anything wrong with someone who wants to enjoy their work and have a little fun while still doing their jobs effectively.

I do deal with depression and do have a hard time being social at times because of this, especially in places like a hospital where there is a LARGE number of people and someone like me has a hard time finding their place and making themselves heard. I am by nature, pretty shy and I do have terrible self-esteem.

So, my post came mainly from the perspective of someone who has dealt with depression, low self esteem, and just generally feeling left out, all, and I mean ALL, of her life. If you know of a way to conquer this other than by my popping a Zoloft once a day, which I haven't been able to do lately because the stuff is fifty bucks a pop... please do let me know. Meds are the one thing that has truly helped me in all of my years.

Also, external factors are that I do work on a unit that is very gossipy, there IS a clique here filled with nasty women who do purposely alienate those who don't fit into their little circle. The weekend group have this ONE little nursing position that they can't seem to keep filled because they seem to keep running off every nurse that fills it. I have really truly had terrible experiences here with nurses and techs who seem to be more interested in proving how popular they are and how many more friends they have on this floor than anyone else... than in doing their jobs. A place to work where EVERYONE is friends, everyone is close and tight knit... THAT would be great. My nursing class was like that, and it was wonderful.

Anyway, I'm speaking from one perspective, mine. And I should just shut up, because myself and the OP aren't even talking about the same dang thing. She IS talking about an atmosphere where everyone talks and laughs and has fun and gets along. I've somehow gotten that confused with the kind of place where I work, where NOT everyone gets along but instead there is ONE group who gets together and parties, to the EXCLUSION of others.

One of the girls in this group had a baby shower a couple of months ago. The girl who gave the shower decided not to even invite the whole floor, but instead they only gave invitations to certain people. And they had the thing at a TEA ROOM. AND, get this, they FAILED to invite the person who gave this girl her FIRST baby shower, AT HER HOME. Why? Because that person who was nice enough to give the first baby shower... she JUST doesn't fit into their little circle.

I'd be happy that one of my coworkers even wanted to GIVE me a baby shower, and I'd be happy to see as many coworkers as would actually take time out to come to my baby shower. No, not these girls. They are too good for some people.

*shakes head* I don't know. Sometimes coming to this place is like going back to high school. And I had a TERRIBLE time in high school. Anyway, like I said, I'm talking about something TOTALLY and completely different from what the OP intended, I believe. I'm sorry this has turned into a personal rant from me. But do understand this... I'm REALLY truly not someone who completely tries to alienate her coworkers. Most of the time, unless I'm having a particularly bad night as far as my depression goes... most of the time, I'm really friendly and talkative with my coworkers. Somehow though, I really can't shake my own attitude of keeping work and play separate, and I'm not sure why. I'm not sure if it's my negative experiences on this particular unit... or what. Or maybe it's just the stress of this job and the fact that I just get so uptight and worrying about what could happen to my patients that it makes it hard for me to have fun.

Again, sorry... I mostly just felt compelled to respond to Larry 77. :)

nurse4theplanet, RN · Dec 16, 2005

RNW,

I am sorry that you have had an awful time with the coworkers on your floor. We have a few of these types in my nursing program, but luckily I have not seen anything on the ICU floor that even remotely resembled such pettiness.

I think your post just drives home the fact that worrying about socialization on your unit, and how cohesive the team is, is a very very important factor to consider. You can love your profession, but if you feel miserable, alone, and alienated at work you will hate your job.

I hope things get better for you.

~Brittney

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2005

I agree that it's best to pick and area you're interested in and hope for the best.

During a recent survey at work, the recruitment and rention committee surveyed the long-term staff as to "why do you stay here". The number one answer was "I like the people I work with".

Those you work with can make or break your job satisfaction. Doesn't mean you have to have a party every day. But finding an atmosphere with friendly supporitive people is very important to me too. I'm not working in an unfriendly environment no matter how much money they pay me or how much I like the patient population. It's not worth my serenity.

No I don't go to work to socialize, I go to work to work and take care of people and earn a living to pay the bills. But I refuse to work in an environment for years that's not supportive and friendly. I realize there are people that can. I'm not a robot.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Dec 16, 2005

well said Tweety!

Larry77, RN · Dec 17, 2005

Just a little hope for ya...I know a couple people that did NOT fit in at all where I work but they stuck it out and pretty soon most of the people they worked with directly really learned to love the little eccentricities of that person :)

If I truly dreaded going to work daily I would have to change departments pronto.

Plus to RealNurseWitch...I'm sorry if I sounded a little blunt and I wish you all the luck...

Larry

grimmy, RN · Dec 17, 2005

part of my decision to work the floor i'm on (surgical) was the people that work there. i had worked in the same hospital as a psych tech also had all my clinicals there in nursing school so i had exposure to almost every department.
i agree that who you work with is important in enjoying your work. on my floor we have a great time and always back each other up. (at least all the people on my shift :)).
also you may have a harder time getting into some of the specialties as a new grad ie. ed or icu unless they have an intern type position. in my experience unless they accept you early on (nurses in these more specialized units) the more experienced nurses tend to be a little ruff on newbies.
good luck!

i completely agree here. i didn't choose my specialty because of the people but because i couldn't imagine being happy anywhere besides an or - it was only in the interview process (comparing facilities) that i was on the lookout for how happy people seemed, the attitudes in and around the or - were people nice? it has made all the difference. i don't want to work with people who make me so miserable that i want to slit my wrists by the end of the week! we've all met nurses who simply hate life and want to make you hate it, too. to illustrate how well this system worked: i went to the thoracic-cardio-vascular team party last night - very chic, very fun mixed group of rns, mds, admin assts, research folks, etc...and tonight it will be the rns who will meet for dinner at a nice restaurant. that kind of cameraderie doesn't happen overnight, but after less than 2 years, i'm feeling like a part of the family.

the priorities for me were:

1) the specialty that called to me

2) the people at the facility

3) compensation

4) living environment (cost of living, homes available, etc)

5) commute time