Nocturnal
New Member
Posts:2
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| 07/24/2009 6:02 PM |
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I have been a nurse for a little over a year now, and I tell you the hardest thing for me is the other nurses. Most are nice, but there is a select few that seem to hate my guts for no reason! They make me feel as if I hadn't gone to college like they have and hold the same license they do. I know they have more experience, but shouldn't that make them want to show off their skills, instead of nit picking everything I do! All of my stress comes from having to deal with these women on a daily basis, if it was just patient care I would be doing fine. Any advice out there???? |
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proud2bnursing
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 07/28/2009 4:29 PM |
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It is awful that you experienced this as well. I think everyone needs to remind each other that we are suppose to take care of each other as well. Please do not be discouraged-- NOT everyone is like this. I think sometimes we get so busy with our patients, the charting, the stress we face that lose patience with the people who are there to help us.
A friend of mine who is in the US Army was telling me how hard basic training was and I wonder if it can be liken to the first few years of nursing. You will always have a few people who seem to hate your guts, but in some ways, there is a lesson to be learned with their attitude. It makes you have a tougher skin ---the reality of our profession is that it can be harsh, you will encounter mean spiritness, things will be very challenging and you will deal with difficult people...but all in all, as you said, most are nice and supportive. Take refuge in your abilities and your spirit to be the best nurse you can be. Shame on those who have not been supportive to you...but learn from them too. Glean from the nurses around you who will be your mentors---be more like them. And maybe those who have been less than supportive-- the lesson that they are teaching you is how NOT to be like them. One day when new grads/nurses look to you for support, advise and mentorship, you can be the nurse they too can learn from.
Good luck and always know you have a little community here supporting you!
Lila from the Philippines. |
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Nocturnal
New Member
Posts:2
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| 07/28/2009 6:03 PM |
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| Thanks for your response. I've just been trying to focus on my patients and ignore the ugly attitudes! |
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Rob
New Member
Posts:1
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| 07/29/2009 12:25 AM |
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| The Capital Health in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has reported that the tollerance for bullying within the nursing world is no longer being tolerated. Blue Cross (the benefits provider) has reported an increase from low-700K/per year of antidepressants, to over 900k/year of the same drug class in just their region alone. Much of this is due to 'eating the young', overwork, and undermanning. In short, your dilemma is nationwide |
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Jen at NT
Experienced Member
Posts:197
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| 07/29/2009 11:57 AM |
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| It is a shame that you are experiencing this. It is a common feedback we hear time and time again. We have even addressed it in a few articles. I would invite others to comment on this phenomenon. And since we can comment with relative anonymity, I want to hear from those "select few" who have not been so supportive. I figure that at one time or another if you are a nurse with a few years on your belt, you may have treated new grads/new nurses less than favorable... Why? Was it just lack of patience? What causes someone to be "less than helpful" to a new nurse? I think it would make a great discussion to hear from the opposite point of view. |
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shovelhead
Experienced Member
Posts:141
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| 08/14/2009 1:21 PM |
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I STILL run into RNs in my ER that "don't like students". Experienced yes, empathetic, no. In fact, when I think about it, these are the same nurses that I would not choose to work with given the choice. A little crispy around the edges, but with a wealth of knowledge. I have tried asking why they can't be a little more helpful, but the answer seems to be, " I don't have time", or "I just don't like students". I even have a couple of them referring new staff to me as they won't/can't make the time to answer questions. Sooo, what I have done as my part is to approach some of the old biddies... errrrrmmm, the senior nurses, and told them that if they don't want to deal with it, refer the new nurse or student to me or one of my colleagues that I have spoken with and are amenable to mentoring. Our management even has a mentoring program that is gearing up!
To all the cranky old crispy edged gals... lighten up!! Think of your younger days, or think of your retirement! That ought to brighten things a little. Unfortunately, the aforementioned types won't be here on the forum to read this, to busy to advocate exceptional nursing. |
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Motorcycle racing make heroin look like a vague craving for salt. |
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dmaytex
Junior Member
Posts:30
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| 08/26/2009 1:30 PM |
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Posted By shovelhead on 08/14/2009 1:21 PM
I STILL run into RNs in my ER that "don't like students". Experienced yes, empathetic, no. In fact, when I think about it, these are the same nurses that I would not choose to work with given the choice. A little crispy around the edges, but with a wealth of knowledge. I have tried asking why they can't be a little more helpful, but the answer seems to be, " I don't have time", or "I just don't like students". I even have a couple of them referring new staff to me as they won't/can't make the time to answer questions. Sooo, what I have done as my part is to approach some of the old biddies... errrrrmmm, the senior nurses, and told them that if they don't want to deal with it, refer the new nurse or student to me or one of my colleagues that I have spoken with and are amenable to mentoring. Our management even has a mentoring program that is gearing up!
To all the cranky old crispy edged gals... lighten up!! Think of your younger days, or think of your retirement! That ought to brighten things a little. Unfortunately, the aforementioned types won't be here on the forum to read this, to busy to advocate exceptional nursing.
Shovelhead, we need more of you.
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DIMPLES
New Member
Posts:2
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| 09/03/2009 7:22 PM |
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Hey There, I had a similar situation ... my reply to a BSN..who complained to me about pay schedule, duties,
and titles ought to be different than 2 year RN's. I replied, "you know I had to take the same state exam you did with only two years training ". I never heard her speak of it again.
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Lobo
New Member
Posts:2
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| 09/16/2009 2:22 PM |
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| I don't know why this is still happening but I had an experience with ER RN's who don't like new employees and having to train them. Few were nice when I went through training but others made comments like "I wasn't doing my job", "didn't support teamwork", "needed to help clean rooms after a dsicharge". I even had a horrible review because of this and ended up with no raise. I have been a nurse for 5 years and never in my life have I received comments like those. I finally was able to transfer out of the ER into another area and I hope that I don't have to experience something like that again. On an amusing note, the manager who gave me the crappy review was terminated two weeks later. I guess what goes around does come back around. |
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jb
New Member
Posts:1
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| 12/27/2009 4:29 PM |
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well, i have 20 years experience in nursing, and i cant say i have treated new grads mean. i do have patience but not laziness. what i have seen over the years are a mix of good new nurses who went into nursing for the right reasons, and they r the ones who i value to nurture and show my expertise to. some r only in it for the money and they lack the care and eagerness to learn, i really can tell the difference. i really hate anyone to treat anyone wrongfully when they r new, but i have seen 2 set of standards with new grads, i think the lack of care and only went into nursing for the money r the ones who tick older nurses off. sorry, but u asked and i answered truthfully.
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carol
New Member
Posts:2
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| 12/27/2009 6:49 PM |
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| I have in been in nursing care for over 20 years. I started out as a nursing assistant before they were state tested. I went on to get an associate degree in nursing becaused I loved the work. I must admit when I got my first job I was a pain in neck, but the nurses who were on the job put up with me and helped me grow. I feel there has been a change in the nursing industry and anyone can get a degree. I find myself losing patience with the newer nurses who are in a world where people depend on them to be kind, caring, intellingent, well groomed and there to take care of them, but are only interested in getting paid |
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ROSEMARY
New Member
Posts:1
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| 12/29/2009 5:04 AM |
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to reply to nocturnal's statement;
I was treated in the same manner; a very seasoned RN who I was so looking forward to working with went to the supervisor because she determined I was not good enough. I was shattered by her treatment of me; fortunately I got over it and was rewarded by working with wonderful nurses of all degrees. I am always proud to say I am a nurse. |
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StacyRN
New Member
Posts:1
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| 01/08/2010 10:14 AM |
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| I was a respiratory therapist in PICU and NICU for 15 years before becoming an RN. Nursing school was the most pathetic and cruel experience I have ever been through. I'm 49 years old, so didn't care so much what they thought of me, but I was sickened by the way nursing instructors treated my fellow students, most in their 20s and not as secure as I was. "Nurses eat their young" is a disgusting commentary on a profession that is supposed to be caring and compassionate. Nursing instructors seem to carry on this "tradition," and nursing school is more like boot camp than anything else, with drill instructors yelling in your face and putting you down in front of everyone else. The Respiratory Therapy program was nothing like this, it was very professional and I loved it, but nursing school was hell, and in my opinion there is NO EXCUSE for this! I don't care what anyone says, there is NO reason to treat anyone else like crap, whether you're seasoned or new or inbetween. |
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Robin
New Member
Posts:1
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| 01/10/2010 5:41 PM |
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| I've heard about and experienced this, not just in the ER. It's expensive and time-consuming to train new grads; that does NOT excuse bullying behavior. As a society we need to set up and fund internships and externships so there will be a safe place for new nurses to learn. Without proper training for new nurses, healthcare in the USA is headed for disaster. |
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Jennifer
New Member
Posts:2
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| 01/29/2010 11:18 PM |
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| You are not alone, which I know, doesn't help the problem immediately. There is no real answer to this because I have now been a nurse (travel nursing) for 5 years. I've come a long way with gaining experience, so they can't use that a reason to have attitude, but it still does exist. I have learned to stay focused on my responsibilities at work...my patients. If I work with substantial nurses...great! If not, then it is their loss and they obviously have a character flaw. It is not you! Healthcare is ran by humans and humans have bad days, often bringing their personal lives into the working atmosphere, which is something you are just going to have to accept and avoid this negative energy! It will get better, but do know that it is everywhere, no matter if you are a new nurese or not. Best wishes, Jen. |
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Lifeform66
New Member
Posts:7
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| 01/31/2010 4:33 AM |
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| Hi. i'm a nursing student and have been thinking about this for awhile. I've come across RNswho don't seem to like nursing students and some were not willing to help when I needed help when my instructor was not available on the floor. I know I look young to be in nursing school but c'mon give me break, what's so hard of answering questions. Nursing students want the best out of their clinical experience but no need to bring down anyone who's not even at your level.I was kind of worried when I thought about the attitudes but anymore because you're right, you deal with negative energy in hospitals which help you become stronger in your surroundings and hopefully makes you a better nurse. |
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Shannon
New Member
Posts:1
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| 01/31/2010 6:49 AM |
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It's sad but true. I've seen it happen. I never understand why every nurse out there would not want to take advantage of sharing information and to teach the students, after all one day you may be my co-worker! I say celebrate the student nurses, they are our future!!
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Spitfire11
New Member
Posts:1
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| 01/31/2010 8:06 AM |
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| Hey Dimples....LOVED your response to this complaint. Ive been in nursing for 26 years and have heard this so many times. My understanding was that AAS nurses received more clinical training. You can always find stats on how AAS nurses have scored as high or higher on the boards. Its sad that we have to resort to this. I have always been a team approach nurse and hate that those that do the SAME work feel entitled. |
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Cori
New Member
Posts:1
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| 01/31/2010 10:11 AM |
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| I'm a big fan of students (of course I've been there). I think the reason other nurses get frustrated with students sometimes is the same reason nurses get frustrated with doctors, with therapists etc...lack of communication. Nursing instructors bring their students on the units for only a few hours at a time, and I have seen time and time again nurses relying on there students for things that don't get done and then it's the license holders responsibility. It can be frustrating and time consuming getting back into the grove for the day. Not to mention every group of students has a different level of schooling behind them and have different things they can do on their own. Not that it excuses them being mean to students. I think if nursing schools had a better method for clinical experiences for their students, you would see alot of the "nurses who eat their young" start to fade away:) Students need the whole experience, from being of shift to the end of shift to truly understand what other nurses go through and what is in store for them when they graduate! |
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gin23603
New Member
Posts:1
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| 01/31/2010 11:20 AM |
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| I recently graduated nursing school and I agree that some nurses can be mean because they are frustrated with us, but it's not just other nurses. I've been in facilities where the assistants treat students like trash and cause all kinds of issues. I have also been around really great nurses who try their best to answer any questions we might have. I agree that we should communicate better and let the staff know up front what the students will be responsible for while they are there. |
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