What's wrong with me?

[ixchel]

I keep staring over my shoulder looking for a crusty old bat to swoop in and eat me, but alas, none have arrived yet. Ten months in on this gig. I was sure that whole NETY thing had to be true???? I guess the even more alarming thing is realizing I not only graduated school without being bullied by anyone, but I have yet to actually feel abused in the nursing profession. Am I doing something wrong? Is it because I'm really quite average in looks and I am pretty sure I don't know everything?

Please, no bashing! I'm really quite fragile right now and I'm not sure my ego could handle it.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Farawyn,

You mentioned just above a CNA who was bilingual and you put this quality as being "huge" plus.

I was pretty much eaten alive and some worse - exactly for that. Being TRIlingual, in fact.

[ixchel]

This is kind of sappy, but I would love to work with a lot of you.

(Not the really FIT ones, or the anti vaxxers, but yea...)

But what if you're prettier than me? I'm not sure I'll be okay with that.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Dear OP,

. In addition, if i am not mistaken, you are male... it can make huge difference.

You WOULD be mistaken

Sweet Transvestite does seem to confuse some....!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Dear OP,

you may be just d*** lucky, plain and simple. In addition, if i am not mistaken, you are male... it can make huge difference.

I went through hell, pure and unadulterated, during my first year, and still not believe I got out of there and off those people.

And then there are those males who come on here complaining bitterly about how unfairly they were treated because they are males......NOT because they are unpleasant to work with.

[ixchel]

About the lack of warm welcoming, I finally found myself having gone through enough new hires with varying outcomes that I've become more reserved in my getting *friendly* or whatever is the fitting term. Until I know how someone is going to perform I'm more likely to to hang back and stay neutral. Does that make sense?

Oh, yes, I do know that many of my coworkers were this way with me. They weren't mean, by any means, but I didn't feel like "one of them" until I survived orientation and got through a couple of months without quitting or transferring floors. We have a high turnover, so I think people are slow to trust the new hires.

[ixchel]

You WOULD be mistaken

Sweet Transvestite does seem to confuse some....!

Okay, so I think from my phone I can't add "female" to my profile, but I can add a signature. Perhaps that'll work?

And I do like me some sweet transvestites, although, yes, it does lead to ambiguity. I've had this avatar for quite awhile now, but this is the second time this week the gender ambiguity has come up. Maybe a new avatar is needed.

I am not a boy.

[ixchel]

Okay, so the signature looks like it's part of the post on the app. Hmmmm....

I am not a boy.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I think people are going to be mentally adding "....I'm a man." to the end of that signature.

Still ambiguous.

[ixchel]

I think people are going to be mentally adding "....I'm a man." to the end of that signature.

Still ambiguous.

Okay, I'll go on a hunt for a less ambiguous avatar.

[Red Kryptonite]

Just wait til that Bible Belt nurse finds out you're an ATHEIST, then you'll take some flak!

Last weekend at clinicals, I had both a patient and an aide who works at the facility tell me I will be a great nurse. The nurse who was supervising me had some things she had to take care of and apologized that she wouldn't be able to interact with me much for the rest of the day, then said, "but stay on the floor, because you clearly have experience and seem to know what you're doing."

I too am left wondering where all the mean is. As students we've certainly encountered staff who were less than thrilled at our presence, but usually they had a good reason like being PRN or newly off orientation and not feeling up to speed enough on their hall to take on a student too. But we disrupt their routines and I get that, so we've tried to either be helpful with aide stuff when learning opportunities dry up, or stay out of the way working on our concept maps.

This facility has changed my perspective on LTC. I don't doubt the horrible ones are out there, but this one, while not fancy, is well-staffed, attentive, and friendly. Residents who come in with decubs heal, I've seen that in multiple charts. The staff know the residents and take the time to just talk with them. I've started to like it enough that I'm seriously considering applying for a PRN side job over the summer when I won't have class and the flight of the snowbirds tanks our census at my full time job.

PS I think "great" is a stretch at this point, but I hope to be a good nurse after I graduate.

[Red Kryptonite]

Okay, I'll go on a hunt for a less ambiguous avatar.

Nooooooo!!!! I love Frank N. Furter!

[ixchel]

Just wait til that Bible Belt nurse finds out you're an ATHEIST, then you'll take some flak!

Last weekend at clinicals, I had both a patient and an aide who works at the facility tell me I will be a great nurse. The nurse who was supervising me had some things she had to take care of and apologized that she wouldn't be able to interact with me much for the rest of the day, then said, "but stay on the floor, because you clearly have experience and seem to know what you're doing."

I too am left wondering where all the mean is. As students we've certainly encountered staff who were less than thrilled at our presence, but usually they had a good reason like being PRN or newly off orientation and not feeling up to speed enough on their hall to take on a student too. But we disrupt their routines and I get that, so we've tried to either be helpful with aide stuff when learning opportunities dry up, or stay out of the way working on our concept maps.

This facility has changed my perspective on LTC. I don't doubt the horrible ones are out there, but this one, while not fancy, is well-staffed, attentive, and friendly. Residents who come in with decubs heal, I've seen that in multiple charts. The staff know the residents and take the time to just talk with them. I've started to like it enough that I'm seriously considering applying for a PRN side job over the summer when I won't have class and the flight of the snowbirds tanks our census at my full time job.

PS I think "great" is a stretch at this point, but I hope to be a good nurse after I graduate.

Love, you clearly have poise and maturity on your side, which I think are so crucial to this career. I have no doubt you'll be great. ❤️