What should I do when I am not appreciated on my unit

[Nurse Yoni, BSN]

I have noticed that nurses all over the world have similar problems with not being appreciated from all angles. For example, some say sometimes they feel discouraged and unappreciated by families, management, and even coworkers.

Have you ever encountered unappreciation and disrespect from every angle? If yes, keep reading.

As humans, we will always encounter unappreciative and appreciative people, but what we must remember is that we are still responsible for how we feel or respond.

Whether you are appreciated or not, you should never let others’ perceptions or opinions of your quality of work, discourage and deter you.

You are a strong nurse, you’ve been through hell and back (nursing school), and you will always win.

We can appreciate others even when we’re not appreciated, and one of the ways to cope with unappreciation is by being appreciative.

I remember a scene where I complimented and thanked a housekeeping staff for doing an excellent job on our floor, and how appreciative he was.

His co-worker from another unit was surprised that I'd thanked him because the staff on his unit do not appreciate what he does.

When co-workers approach me and say they don't feel appreciated, I always remind them that they must never let people's words be their comfort.

Keep doing the great work you have been doing, remain humble, appreciate others, and do not let your security be in the words of others.

Thank you!!!

[TriciaJ, RN]

Payday is when appreciation gets expressed. Everything else is a bonus.

Good idea to make a point of expressing appreciation of others. "Be the change you want to see" to put it tritely.

As far as nursing school being "to hell and back"? Not saying it was fun, but I can think of a multitude of situations right off the top of my head that might be worse. I'm sure a lot of people would gladly switch with you.

["nursy", RN]

In Nursing the culture has gone from not just lack of appreciation, but downright active lack of support. Patient family has a complaint? They are right, you are wrong. You need a break for lunch? Nope.... eat on the run, but DO NOT under ANY circumstances even keep a bottle of water at the nursing station. You are not allowed to work overtime, but you are not allowed to punch out and continue documentation, but the documentation MUST be completed. Huh? Empty your own garbage cans because HOUSEKEEPING IS TOO BUSY!!!!! I gotta degree for this? We are having nursing appreciation week, but we expect the nurses to donate money/goods for the prizes. This list goes on and on. Human interaction needs kindness and appreciation to thrive. Try raising a kid without ever showing them kindness or appreciation. Try remaining in a relationship without ever receiving kindness or appreciation. And yes, I know, our job is not our child, or our partner. But we spend a huge portion of our lives at work, oftentimes way more time at work then we spend with our families. I don't think it is asking too much to desire a molecule of appreciation once in a while. It is the difference between doing your job for the paycheck vs having a fulfilling calling/career.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I agree with nursy. (Quote button not working.) What passes for appreciation isn't very appreciative. And maybe we wouldn't be feeling the lack of appreciation so much if we actually got our legal rest periods, the ability to stay hydrated and constantly being thrown under the bus.

I think it's not "appreciation" we need so much but a little respect now and then.

[DeeAngel]

I don’t care about being ”appreciated”, I wanted to be paid well and treated with respect. Appreciation is demonstrated through the paycheck.

[Lurkndmurk, ADN, RN]

Idk, I feel like EVERYONE should hear that they do a good job every now and then. It definitely makes me want to continue working my butt off when I know that I'm being noticed and appreciated for doing the best that I can.

I actually found myself building up resentment until my boss handed out appreciative compliments. I felt like I was in the dark, not being utilized to my fullest potential and being overlooked until she finally said otherwise. I actually almost had a one on one with her because it was getting kinda bad.

I think, especially when you're a brand new nurse, you need to get feedback & know that you're doing a good job. it really helped reinforced the fact that not only do i love what i do.. but i'm actually good at it.

I've had patients, doctors, other nurses AND my supervisors ALL been appreciative towards me- and its definitely inspired me to keep on keepin on ?

[SASARN53]

I think Nursing has become an interesting arena of concerns. What happened to working together as a team and being appreciated by your co-workers and families? There has been a big attitude shift in Nurses. They are so stressed out from being short staffed and trying to do a good job. I have been a nurse since 1971, I retired and just work part time as a Private Duty Caregiver now, I really love it. I work for myself and really enjoy taking care of a few patients at a time. I want to work on a program to go to the Nursing schools and talk about communication and teamwork in the workplace, to try to help Nurses get on track with each other again. I am excited about this project and may take it to the workplace when I am done. Talk to each other, just giving someone a hug if they are having a bad day can make a world of difference! Let’s make Nursing a Positive experience again by working together.

[Lurkndmurk, ADN, RN]

4 minutes ago, SASARN53 said:

I think Nursing has become an interesting arena of concerns. What happened to working together as a team and being appreciated by your co-workers and families? There has been a big attitude shift in Nurses. They are so stressed out from being short staffed and trying to do a good job. I have been a nurse since 1971, I retired and just work part time as a Private Duty Caregiver now, I really love it. I work for myself and really enjoy taking care of a few patients at a time. I want to work on a program to go to the Nursing schools and talk about communication and teamwork in the workplace, to try to help Nurses get on track with each other again. I am excited about this project and may take it to the workplace when I am done. Talk to each other, just giving someone a hug if they are having a bad day can make a world of difference! Let’s make Nursing a Positive experience again by working together.

I LOVE your program idea!!! My nursing program wanted to implement something similar but failed. I really hope you manage to create a positive and beneficial program- i would even venture to bring it to workplaces as well once you've got a good one running ?