Why all the drama with nursing?

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Specializes in Gerontology.

Argh, my friends, just argh! I'm getting home after my week of night shifts and I'm tired and frustrated. Oh, I love my job and that's not being sarcastic but why does nursing seem to attract all the drama queens? I'm just blowing off steam here and maybe I'll give you all a grin early to start your weekend: So, at the end of my shift my boss calls me and is angry. Seems the newest nurse hired to work a certain shift has decided she wants my shift instead. Due to the fact I went back to school this semester, that night shift works best for me - and is truly the shift I love! - my dad is terminally ill, etc...I told her I want to keep my shift. She blew over the phone telling me several not very nice things about my attitude and that she can't guarantee I would keep my shift. I asked why the new hire got to decide I would be the one getting the shift boot in the butt and how come she wasn't expected to work what she got hired to work. I had to work swing until 'my' night shift opened up. Guess that was the wrong thing to say. More choice comments followed. Now I'm tired as heck, typing this to blow off steam, and wondering why I seem to be the object of my boss's ire here. Hubby thinks the boss wants me to quit. Dog-gone it, though, I love this job. Guess I have to see what happens when I see the boss again. It's all clear as mud to me. I don't want to look for another job right now with school and stuff but I suppose I could if I have to. What happened to management appreciating an RN with a strong work ethic who wants to do the job she was assigned? Argh, again! Have a great weekend everyone!

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If it wasn't clear before, now you know what your boss thinks of you. Time to find another job and resign. When a new hire's preferences take place over an established employee, it is high time the established employee stops allowing themselves to be used as a doormat.

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Sounds like you might just want to ride this one out unless this kind of thing is a frequent problem there. What you told the manager makes sense, and the manager's motivation here doesn't add up. IMHO, complaints about "attitude" aren't very substantial.

When things don't add up, I usually conclude that things aren't the way they seem. The manager is putting pressure on you because the manager really doesn't have to power to change your shift against your will. I think most jobs are like that, it's a basic HR thing.

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Specializes in Gerontology.

Oh, caliotter3, but I make such a great doormat! Sorry, I'm not making fun of your comment but that has been mentioned with me before and I don't take offense. I prefer to use the descriptor that I'm more of a kumbayah kind of person. I have actually been standing up for myself recently - and I document these things so I do have my facts straight - but that doesn't get me anywhere and it really gets my boss angry. I get frustrated because this past year at the job has been a rough one and I have worked hard to fit in with the team, have worked through some issues and now that things have started to click this happens. I guess underneath my bravado are a few tears because I'm feeling like I give my all and that is nowhere near enough. That hurts. Thank you!

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Specializes in Gerontology.

Thanks, parolang. The word attitude was used after telling me I am not a team player. That I have to deny as I work any shift when my co-workers need help and the boss knows it. I actually worked all 3 to start as they were short-staffed and I was really flexible for 9 months before I went back to school.

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Whenever anyone on this board relates a problem that happened at work, the first and most common response is "Quit!" Pretty much every time.

If you love your job, stay. Make sure your clinical practice is above reproach, though. Don't give anyone any ammo whatsoever. Sure, dust off your resume in the event you do need to make a change, but if you love your job, there is no reason why you have to give it up for some newbie.

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Specializes in Gerontology.

Thanks, Horseshoe. More good advice and it is appreciated! I guess it depends on what happens next week as if my boss is going to ride me constantly or stay angry then the stress would outweigh love of job. No job is worth an ulcer and I am in school to heighten my skills and eventually move on into a more specific field anyway-still nursing.

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You have identified that no job is worth an ulcer. If you were ok with this situation, you would not have been moved to post a thread about it.

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Specializes in Gerontology.

True, very true. Underneath my words is a world of hurt. When I try so hard to be the best nurse I can be and then get yelled at and, is threatened too harsh a word?, I am definitely hurt.

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When I first read your post I assumed that your husband was right and for what ever reason the writing was on the wall for you at this job and it was time to quit before you were fired. Your additional comments totally change my response. Having been Little Miss kumbayah at several different jobs over the years I can tell you that more you agree the more they will take attempt to advantage of you. I spent years with the shifts the others refused to take, the assignments that "were too hard" and being the one floated because the others would cry (seriously).

It seems that your manager thinks that you are an easy target. I really do know how hard it is to change this about yourself but for your own sake you need to continue to say "no" firmly to any and all unreasonable requests, it's the only way to make it stop. I'm thinking there are a number of other nurses on the same shift pattern as you that your manager wouldn't have dreamed of trying this with.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

If you like your shift, stand your ground and tell her to suck rocks.

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Whenever anyone on this board relates a problem that happened at work, the first and most common response is "Quit!" Pretty much every time.

If you love your job, stay. Make sure your clinical practice is above reproach, though. Don't give anyone any ammo whatsoever. Sure, dust off your resume in the event you do need to make a change, but if you love your job, there is no reason why you have to give it up for some newbie.

Managers don't need ammo. If they want somebody out, they will find a way to make it happen.

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