I am a new grad that started off in a post partum unit at a small community hospital (not a teaching hospital). I live in a state where it is very hard to get a job right now if you are a new nurse. I never in a million years thought I would get the opportunity to start out in a specialty area, let alone at this hospital.
But I have felt a decent amount of resentment and disrespect from some of the nurses, and I don't understand why. I think I am doing pretty good, but for some reason I feel that I have been labeled as a "new grad". As if these nurses came out of the womb experienced nurses.
I have been corrected for doing things the PROPER way, and they have made fun of me for doing things like re priming IV tubing instead of doing their little shortcut things like dripping IV solution all over the floor when priming or not using a syringe to suck air out of a line (a air bubble that was at least 3 feet long). I just don't understand why they are so nasty and treating me as if I am an outsider. I am not by any means at all coming across as a "know it all". I know these nurses are all really good nurses and I can really learn a lot from them, but their attitudes toward me are really making it hard for me to look up to them as role models!!
Although it's easy to think this is the problem I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with feeling "threatened" and more likely feeling "powerless". It unfortunately seems to be human nature for those that feel powerless to abuse those they perceive to be even less powerful thereby making them feel well...more powerful. Our profession tends to foster this behavior because in many ways we, as nurses, have to subjugate ourselves to "the powers that be". We feel we have no control or say over our environment. An assignment that would normally be a 1:4 becomes a 1:6 because management decided not to fill the hole left by a retiring nurse. We know it isn't safe but are told to "be a team player" which is management-speak for "suck it up or we'll fire you". It's a horrible feeling and as a result some nurses take it out on new people (old or young). I've been a victim of this myself so I'm not making excuses for this behavior.
Perhaps it would be easier if those who are feeling picked on could think of it as a result of the environment many of these nurses have struggled in for years. It might become less personal (albeit not less painful). If you view this behavior as them being threatened then there has to be a reason and our minds start telling us it's because we're younger, smarter,prettier, more "up to date", etc. which isn't likely true. What's worse this attitude can and will be communicated to the cranky old battle axes which will only make matters worse.
So the only advice I can give the OP is keep doing things the correct way (which may not be the way you were taught in nursing school) but do it quietly and consistently. Ignore your detractors, don't become one of them and if you start throwing up before going into work because of the stress start looking for another job. Take it from me as I've been in your shoes a time or two.
Hahahaha, I just got corrected for making my initials to big in the MAR. Can you believe that??? It's comical! "STAY WITHIN THE LINES!?" Seriously, I wanted to fall on the ground laughing at that one. Yes, we are the door
matts of the institution. Until the newer one comes along.
I sense a conflict in your post. You say you're getting resentment and disrespect from the experienced nurses on your unit. But your own words indicate that you may be the one showing resentment and disrespect toward the very coworkers with whom you seek to bond.
I think I am doing pretty good, but for some reason I feel that I have been labeled as a "new grad"
You are a new grad. Why would they see you as anything else?
I just don't understand why they are so nasty and treating me as if I am an outsider.
Not sure how you're defining "nasty." As for treating you as if you are an outsider, you're new to the unit, so you will be kind of an outsider until you have been there a while.
Besides that, you have recently left the closeness and camaraderie of a nursing class where there is often a the feeling of sharing a foxhole in a war zone. The working world can be very much an "every man for himself" kind of environment. Some units/shifts have warm fuzzy nurses who greet newcomers with open arms. Others have a cooler atmosphere where people function independently and are colleagues but not necessarily friends. Still others have cliques that make non-members feel left out, even if they've worked side by side for years. It's a good idea not to take any of this personally.
I have felt a decent amount of resentment and disrespect from some of the nurses, and I don't understand why.
I don't doubt that you are perceiving resentment and disrespect, but that may or may not be what they are feeling. You could be dead-on accurate, or you could be filtering their words and actions through a lens of your own insecurity. They might be surprised to find out how things look to you.
I have been corrected for doing things the PROPER way.
This might be a clue. Instead of just saying that you're doing things the way you were taught, you call it, " . . . the PROPER way." There is judgment in those capital letters, whether you intend for it to show or not. That same condescension comes across when you refer to their "little shortcuts." Some experienced nurses cut corners where they shouldn't, but there are many, many others who have learned helpful tricks that do not compromise patient safety. As a new nurse, straight out of school, you may not always be able to tell the difference.
If you have to comment on someone else's practice, it might be better to say something like, "You know, I learned this a different way in school, and I'd just like to stick with that until I'm a little more proficient. But thanks for showing me a different option." You do what you were taught. But you exercise a little tact along the way.
their attitudes toward me are really making it hard for me to look up to them as role models.
I don't mean this unkindly, but the experienced nurses aren't there to impress you as role models. They show up to get the job done. Certainly, some will be more approachable and offer better examples than others, but they don't owe you any more than that. If you frequently find yourself thinking that they don't measure up to your standards, don't be surprised if that's the message (real or imagined) you get back from them.
I encourage you to count your blessings in finding such a good job. Keep a low profile. Practice humility. Don't spend so much time worrying about what others are doing wrong or what they think of you. Be grateful for the good things they have to teach you and step away from the rest.
One of the toughest parts of transitioning from a student to a practicing nurse is letting go of "pleasing" an authority figure and taking responsibility for yourself. Forgive your coworkers for not being all you'd hoped for, and make the most of your wonderful learning opportunity.
Specializes in L&D/Postpartum/Newborn, Home Health.
Mindy~
I am so sorry to hear that you are having a hard time in your new job. I must say that I wholeheartedly agree with rn/writer. It is very upsetting to experienced nurses when a new nurse comes into the unit with an attitude that they know it all and they are there to save the experienced nurses from themselves. I'm not saying that's what you have done but based on some of the things you've said-I can see how it may have been perceived that way.
You can and will learn alot from these nurses that do things differently than you do. One really good way to learn and also build a rapport with them is to pick their brains about things-ask them questions, if there is something they do differently than you do, ask them about it-if there's something you are dealing with for the first time, ask for their help. They will respect you for it and they will see your desire to learn instead of your desire to prove you are right. Now having said that-some experienced nurses also have some bad habits-you need to distinguish between the two and practice safely.
You are a brand new nurse-you have a lot to learn~Enjoy the journey.
FlyingScot, RN
2,016 Posts
Although it's easy to think this is the problem I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with feeling "threatened" and more likely feeling "powerless". It unfortunately seems to be human nature for those that feel powerless to abuse those they perceive to be even less powerful thereby making them feel well...more powerful. Our profession tends to foster this behavior because in many ways we, as nurses, have to subjugate ourselves to "the powers that be". We feel we have no control or say over our environment. An assignment that would normally be a 1:4 becomes a 1:6 because management decided not to fill the hole left by a retiring nurse. We know it isn't safe but are told to "be a team player" which is management-speak for "suck it up or we'll fire you". It's a horrible feeling and as a result some nurses take it out on new people (old or young). I've been a victim of this myself so I'm not making excuses for this behavior.
Perhaps it would be easier if those who are feeling picked on could think of it as a result of the environment many of these nurses have struggled in for years. It might become less personal (albeit not less painful). If you view this behavior as them being threatened then there has to be a reason and our minds start telling us it's because we're younger, smarter,prettier, more "up to date", etc. which isn't likely true. What's worse this attitude can and will be communicated to the cranky old battle axes which will only make matters worse.
So the only advice I can give the OP is keep doing things the correct way (which may not be the way you were taught in nursing school) but do it quietly and consistently. Ignore your detractors, don't become one of them and if you start throwing up before going into work because of the stress start looking for another job. Take it from me as I've been in your shoes a time or two.