Fitting In

Monday, June 1, 2009 by Nurses in Action
As a new nurse tech in a local hospital I found the first few weeks to be hard. Not because of patients but because my new co-workers were so stand offish! It's like a high school. The RN's are the "cool kids" and the nurse techs are the "nerdy kids". I found myself saying hello to people and not getting ANY response! What's up with that? I didn't put up with that for very long. I made it a point to learn names and use them often. I started asking questions and expecting people to answer me. It wasn't long before my new co-workers started to realize that I am a hard worker and eager to learn. I work with a dynamic group of RNs and Techs and I feel like I'm becoming part of the team. That makes it easier to come to work every day. There are still a couple of nurses that I haven't won over-but I will!

Name: Ms. Conner
City: Tulsa
State: OK

Comments for Fitting In

Monday, June 15, 2009 by Vicki Nesom:
Unfortunately, this is one of the reasons behind early burnout, both for nurses and techs. When I became a nurse (1980!)it was like joining the biggest and best sorority, all-for-one-and-one-for-all. Now, it is survival of the fittest for the newbies, unless they manage to work with someone like me, an "old dog" watching out for the "youngsters" and trying to help them grow instead of trying to sabotage them (which I have seen with my own eyes...and even experienced from a new graduate!). The new attitude is mean-spirited and it needs to change to a true team-mentality, instead of people trying to make themselves look better when they "tattle" or sabotage another nurse instead of trying to help them learn.

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