What Is the Problem With These Nurses?

[Sheri257]

I've always thought the "nurses eating their young" phenomenon was somewhat of a misnomer, since we're not their children and I know students can impose a lot of burdens on nurses. But, when you're pretty functional and helping out with most of the work, and some nurses still beat you down to a pulp, I just don't get it.

What's the point of being so mean? I'm running my butt off all day, I'm giving all of the meds, doing all of the charting, aide work, etc. for most of the patients. Yet, no matter how hard I work, there's still a constant barrage of criticism ...

Of course, I make mistakes and I definitely need to improve in a lot of areas. No question about it. Nevertheless, I am not a total novice and, despite my shortcomings, I do know I'm making their day a hellava lot easier.

But ... I'm only human, and I do tend to make even more mistakes when I know I'm going to get slammed no matter what I do. After awhile, no matter how tough you are, it's difficult to concentrate and do everything the nurse wants when you know she's hostile and looking for any opportunity to jump on your case ... even when you do things right.

I actually don't need nor do I expect praise or reassurance but, like a lot of people, I don't tend do well when I getting slammed all the time either.

I can't wait to get out of there and let them get back to doing all the work. Thankfully, my days of slave labor will soon be over. I hope they got their jollies because if this is how they make themselves feel better or whatever it is ... good riddance.

:typing

[NurseMMM]

In the same hospital, I witnessed one MD in the OR, calling the nurse a "fat ass" because she wasn't moving as fast as he would have liked. She also was in tears. I don't believe anything was done about that incident either. They always made excuses for this MD. Stating that he is under a great deal of stress during this type of procedure, etc. Abuse is abuse. And it should not be tolerated. She is someone's wife. Someone's mother. How would you feel if some doctor called you a "f@t a$$" during a procedure and wasn't even counseled about it later. When I approached the nurse about it later, still with tears in her eyes from the incident to show her support. She acted as if it was nothing and that she was used to his coldness. And that administration was aware of his bad behavior and she didn't want to cause trouble and lose her job. Talk about witnessing a "battered woman." I felt like these nurses were battered women! She made an excuse for his behavior and acted later in the day as if nothing had happened! She told me she just lets it roll off her back. And to tell you the truth, I was alarmed at that response. She told me that she has worked for him for over 20 years and is used to his bad behavior. That everyone was used to it and nothing was ever done about it, so why start now? etc.

[TrudyRN]

One time, I worked with a Philopino nurse. She was a sweet soul. Some of the nurses decided she was an easy target. They tormented her sweet soul. Made her feel inept. She came from an LTC into the OR. She ended up quiting because of the abuse and going back into the nursing home. They were horrible to her. When I made an anonymous report to nursing administration about it, and what I had witnessed, nothing was ever done. I don't think the nurses involved were even counseled about it. Because one of them was raised to nursing instructor shortly after this Philopino nurse quit. She was new to the OR. She was trying her best to learn in a hostile environment in my opinion. They all seemed to shut her out. I even witnessed them "yelling" at her for not moving fast enough in one procedure. She couldn't find the right type of thread and needle that was requested by the MD. Because it wasn't there! I was sent in the procedure to help her. And witnessed them yelling at her! All of them, even the MD. I ran out to get her what they requested. When I came back into the OR suite, they were all laughing to themselves and she was in tears. She quit sometime after that incident. I hope she has gotten over that incident, because I still haven't.

I hope those cruel people someday get to be on the receiving end so they will know what it feels like. I saw this happen to a nurse in the OR once. People rode her mercilessly just because she was quiet and didn't quite fit in with their more dominant personalities. It was sort of like that for me, too, in OR, but I stuck it out and actually became their supervisor. You can believe me, the personality of that OR changed under me. I got rid of the meanies slowly but surely, 1 by 1. There were 6 out of 24 nurses who were like that and I vowed to either see change in them or get rid of them. They kept it up and kept it up and gave me so much fodder for their write-ups that I got rid of them over the course of 2 years. Our OR became a much more peaceful place and I don't regret having gotten them out. They are probably being cruel to someone else in another OR down the road.

[NurseMMM]

Well, thank god for Supervisors like you, Trudy. I believe that what goes around comes around eventually. And it is my hope that these terrible people get what they deserve someday. And if someone is reading this and is one of these terrible nurses who redicule and belittle people. Watch out. Cause someone is watching and will report you. One day, hospitals will recognize and punish you not the people who report you.

[twotrees2]

Where I Work, In Snf, The Situation Is Probably The Same. The Grads They Are Turning Out Now Leave Alot To Be Desired. To Work In This Snf You Have To Multi-task Your Whole Shift. These New Grads Can Barely Pass Meds, Forget About Doing A Pt. Assesment. Don't Know How Many Times I've Found Trachs Plugged, G-tubes Draining On The Bed Etc. You Can Talk Til You're Blue In The Face, They Just Don't Get It!!!!

i think thta thier lot to be desired and that they just dont get it is managements fault anywhere you go cause they just dont get the orientation they need to learn these things - its unfortuante too cause even thogh they have a lot to learn and know little most have good bedside manners and wonderful caring attitudes - if management would give them the chanvcce i think they would excell.

[mim-o]

Isn't it ironic that as professionals we care for people, but sometimes-some of our peers don't care for each other. It is sad , but in small instances IT DOES HAPPEN. :angryfire Do people realize the students, younger nurses etc.. are the very people who will be their future nurses-obviously not. There are (thankfully) really good nurses out there who do make up the majority and not the minority of this profession-hang in there. I am kinda going thru this type of thing in a new job-but I have finally come to the realization that some people are just different and I am going to forge ahead with a smile-my patients are the reason I am in this career and they deserve that from me. Think of it from their side of the bed and it will help put things in perspective for you. Take care.

[RN Zeke]

Hey, Why are you staying at this dead end job that might cost you your liscense? Find another job ASAP, permanent or as a travel nurse! You were looking for a job when you got that one, so start looking while you have this one. Get yourself out of that rut so you may grow and be all you can be for yourself and your patients!