What's with the attitude?

purplemania, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2006

There is considerable research on the topic but I will add from my own experience that whiners take up way too much air space. They are vocal when satisfied people are not. Just keep in mind that a few bad apples can ruin the whole barrel. As for workplace complaints, sure they exist. Name a job with 100% satisfaction among all employees. If the job is not to your liking then go elsewhere (PLEASE). Not meaning this to be personal, but I do get tired of complainers who never contribute any energy towards making their environment a better place. They don't join committees, don't join professional organizations, don't volunteer - nothing. GRRRRRRRRRRRR

PedsER-RN, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2006

hey all,
i'm a nursing student who has done 2 clinical rotations, both on med floors, with stints on surg, icu, and er. morale, especially on the med floors, has been terrible. i've done some research concerning job dissatisfaction including issues with staffing, pay, downsizing, turnover, stress, etc. i would be curious what professionals already in the field consider to be the main causes of low morale. i would hate to find myself in a position where i could not stand going to work, especially after the struggle of getting through school.
thanks,
marmar1233

contributors to low morale in my department (and many others, i'm sure) include low pay, stress from dealing with abusive families, having a manger that's all talk and no action, and being employed in a department where laziness (from several, not all) has been tolerated for way too long.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Mar 20, 2006

When I first started working in health care, my only problem was that I didn't have enough to complain about, but now I'm a nurse and everything's perfect.

Morale is a hard thing to evaluate. Inevitably, there are some who are truly unhappy, but everybody likes to gripe. Up to a point, p*ssing and moaning are part of the bonding ritual, and as a first-year nurse, I've learned the hard way that you can only say, "I love this job!" so many times before you become annoying to your co-workers. Then, too, even under really good conditions, it's hard work, and stressful. Six months after we graduated, several of my classmates and I were laughing about how innocent we were, back in the old days (last year) when we actually thought nursing school was hard. I don't mean to scare you (too much), but in many respects, nursing school is a piece of cake. What a luxury, having an instructor who knows what he or she is doing, breathing down your neck every time you move, making sure you don't kill anybody.

That said, I know 30yr nurses who still say it's worth it. I kind of think you have to take some responsibility for your own morale. By that, I mean making a conscious effort to remember that you're generally happy, even when you occassionally aren't. I've had nights getting ready for work when the thought that I'd probably get the same assignment I had the night before didn't seem like a great incentive, but I've told myself I'd be in better control because my patients had foolishly lost the element of surprise. Sometimes it even works out that way.

Finally, you don't have to look far on these boards to see that some environments really are toxic. It pays to look carefully before you take a position. Even in my facility, some shifts on some units have a bit of a bad rep. For example, it's one thing to hear people complain about management, but when you hear a lot of complaining about each other, that's not a good sign. Conversely, I think it's a pretty good sign to see people laughing about the things that drive them nuts. One of our charge nurses is rather new and occassionally a little too enthusiatic, but I don't think any of us actually dislike her, even when we are pondering whether to page a resident to see if we can put her on an Ativan drip.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2006

Your statement "what's with the attitude" and your pointed finger smilee reeks of judgement. There's more to nursing than what you see on the surface of your two clinical rotations. That aside I guess it's good your investigating the root cause.

For me my bigest moral buster is nurse-patient ratio. It's gotten better but is impacted by call-ins and no options for coverage.

For the most part morale is fairly good on my unit, despite the high stress and staffing issues. When a survey was conducted of the long-term employees as to why we work there, the number one answer was "I like the people I work with".

Good luck in finding a job where morale is good. There are such environments. But when the stress is high, expect a little negativity.

lannisz · Mar 20, 2006

contributors to low morale in my department (and many others, i'm sure) include low pay, stress from dealing with abusive families, having a manger that's all talk and no action, and being employed in a department where laziness (from several, not all) has been tolerated for way too long.

amen!

marmar1233 · Mar 21, 2006

contributors to low morale in my department (and many others, i'm sure) include low pay, stress from dealing with abusive families, having a manger that's all talk and no action, and being employed in a department where laziness (from several, not all) has been tolerated for way too long.

great point on laziness being tolerated way too long, i have not run across that point in my research yet, nor have i seen it in practice, although it is probably happening more than i would know as a student.

marmar1233

marmar1233 · Mar 21, 2006

I kind of think you have to take some responsibility for your own morale. By that, I mean making a conscious effort to remember that you're generally happy, even when you occassionally aren't.
Excellent, your whole response was excellent but I enjoyed this section the most. Do not be surprised when students seek you out during their learning experience. We need gems like these to help us understand what it is going to take for us to make it as a nurse.
marmar1233

marmar1233 · Mar 21, 2006

For me my bigest moral buster is nurse-patient ratio. It's gotten better but is impacted by call-ins and no options for coverage.
For the most part morale is fairly good on my unit, despite the high stress and staffing issues. When a survey was conducted of the long-term employees as to why we work there, the number one answer was "I like the people I work with".
Advice taken, and thank you. I have seen floors where 3 nurses take 8 patients each with 2 CNA's to assist because of the staffing issues you mentioned. You have probably seen worse. You can cut the tension with a knife on those days. Does not do much for morale.
marmar1233

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 21, 2006

I have found in some situations the phrase, "if it is to be, it starts with me" really DOES apply. You can help raise morale around you, byhaving a good attitude and helping others on their way. You don't have to be "Pollyanna" to make your workplace better. Your attitude is everything, for you and for others........

Other workplaces, however, are heavily toxic and nothing you can do will change that. These, you need to leave and never look back.

Knowing the difference between these types of workplaces is the key to your personal growth and happiness.