Wishing experienced nurses would have mercy on me!!

Jules A, MSN · Nov 23, 2008

I would try very hard not to let my self esteem be damaged by negative people especially if you are honest in your evaluation of your behavior and feel you have done the right thing. Only you know if you have gotten the things done that you should have before the next shift starts and if you are getting your work done you have no reason to feel bad, imo. If you are running behind, which isn't unusual for someone new, you will need to evaluate the shift and figure out ways to do things more effeciently in the future so there are fewer times when you are leaving them with work to do. Depending on your facilities rules you may need to stay late to finish the things that you are responsible for which would hopefully appease them somewhat. When dealing with them for report I would be humble and say "I'm sorry but I didn't think to check that, would you like me to go get it now?" etc. and make a note to yourself not to miss it again. It never hurts to suck up a bit and let them know that you appreciate their tips, even if not given in the kindest manner, because they are what will help you figure out what you need to do to become an excellent nurse on this unit. Good luck!

jjjoy, LPN · Nov 23, 2008

Only you know if you have gotten the things done that you should have before the next shift starts and if you are getting your work done you have no reason to feel bad, imo.

Thing is that as a newbie you DON'T know if you have gotten the things done that you should have before the next shift starts. You have only the response of your colleagues to gauge if your performance is "good enough" and on track for your level of experience or if it's truly not good enough and you need to make major revisions to your approach and/or assessment of your own performance.

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2008

I don't think you should suck up at all!!

I'd had a nurse that did that to me and I layed into her like cat scratch fever. Just kidding, but I did verbally lay into this woman. I get my job done, but there are going to be certain instances.....and it's not right for them to expect us to stay after our 12 hour shift is over.

If I were you, I'd say to this nurse, "Now you have the next 12 hours to get done what didn't get done on my shift." Okay, "that's why we have round the clock nursing isn't it?"

Jules A, MSN · Nov 24, 2008

I don't think you should suck up at all!!
I'd had a nurse that did that to me and I layed into her like cat scratch fever. Just kidding, but I did verbally lay into this woman. I get my job done, but there are going to be certain instances.....and it's not right for them to expect us to stay after our 12 hour shift is over.
If I were you, I'd say to this nurse, "Now you have the next 12 hours to get done what didn't get done on my shift." Okay, "that's why we have round the clock nursing isn't it?"

Wow are you serious?

highlandlass1592, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2008

I work the 7p to 7a shift in an IMCU. Everything seems to go well during my shift, but when the day shift arrives, it all falls apart! The day shift is all experienced nurses while my shift consists of one or two experienced nurses and several newbies. When report starts, the experienced nurses chew us up; in their eyes we have done nothing right. If any IVs are left to be started (even if I've just received the order from the doctor), or if a question they ask is not immediately answered to their satisfaction, I am made to feel totally incompetent by their disapproval. :argue:
I would appreciate some input about surviving daily report and also how much needs to be done by the end of shift so that all involved are happy.

Gosh, I remember that feeling. I had a lot of nurses like that when I was new. And when I was a travel nurse, I had to deal with that every contract=every 13 weeks. You have to remember: you will always work with people who think they are better than you. Learn what you can from these experienced people but don't let their negativity drag you down. I'm sure they will have important tidbits to share if you can only get past their criticisms. You are new, it's going to take time for you to get your feet off the ground. Don't beat yourself up. My personal favorite is the day shift nurse not caring about the cruddy night I just had keeping this patient alive but wanting to know if the bath was done! (Nothing sets my button off like that statement!) You will need to learn to be assertive and confident regarding the care you provide. Don't let staff like that initmidate you. If you get questioned as to why you didn't do so and so..you can always say like someone else posted: the care here is 24/7..you're gonna have to finish what I didn't get to. Say it with a smile and be firm.

All that being said, you do need to make sure it's not a practice issue on your end. If you seem to be having a problem consistently, then you need to examine your practice to see where you can improve. If you are sure it's not a practice issue, learn to stand firm and speak up for yourself. Hugs to you, hang in there..it will get better.

PS: Just remember how you feel now when you become senior staff. That way you won't treat someone the way you've been treated. :heartbeat

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2008

Wow are you serious?

What do you mean, am I serious? Of course I'm serious....I do what I say & write. And with all due respect, I'm not going to suck up to you experienced nurses, no way.

BTW, I'm the one getting hand written compliments by my pts, I don't think the bully nurses are getting those.

Jules A, MSN · Nov 25, 2008

What do you mean, am I serious? Of course I'm serious....I do what I say & write. And with all due respect, I'm not going to suck up to you experienced nurses, no way.
BTW, I'm the one getting hand written compliments by my pts, I don't think the bully nurses are getting those.

I see. I'm guessing you are very young. There will always be times when all the tasks won't be completed from a previous shift and thats not the issue. Expecting your team mates to complete their tasks most shifts does not make a "bully nurse" so if it happens a majority of the time and is followed by one of your flip comments thats just uncool, imo, of course. Diplomacy is underrated now a days.

surferbettycrocker · Nov 26, 2008

nursing, hospital-floor nursing-especially is a 24/7 job. get done as much as you can. if something is STAT then you know it's STAT. the rest are all tasks that need to get done in a day.

day AND night shifts need to remember this. all too often people get their knickers in a twist if a u/a isnt done, yet you had someone circling the drain. that is not reasonable. and if other nurses on your shift are too busy to help you out, then some things will carry over to the next shift.

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

I see. I'm guessing you are very young. There will always be times when all the tasks won't be completed from a previous shift and thats not the issue. Expecting your team mates to complete their tasks most shifts does not make a "bully nurse" so if it happens a majority of the time and is followed by one of your flip comments thats just uncool, imo, of course. Diplomacy is underrated now a days.

My comments aren't "flip" whatever the heck you mean by that, and NO I'm not young; I'm in my 40s. And with all due respect, I'm just smart enough not to let negative people, like you, walk over me or get me down. I also complete my task!

Jules A, MSN · Nov 26, 2008

My comments aren't "flip" whatever the heck that means, and NO I'm not young; I'm in my 40s. And with all due respect, I'm just smart enough not to let negative people, like you, walk over me or get me down. I also complete my task!

Gottcha!

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

Gottcha!

Appears as if you need to grow up a little. Huh?