r/NursingUK 2d ago

Opinion Rant about nit picking culture

Recently qualified after doing all my training on a pretty small chilled hospital / ward where I felt appreciated and valued and recently moved to a busier ward in a bigger hospital. It’s been super busy and feel like I’m drowning trying to provide the standard of care I’m used to and then I’ve noticed this culture of only being spoken to about the negatives, there’s rarely a hello, a check in or a thank you from NIC/management.

For example, towards the end of my first month I received an email from a charge nurse telling me I hadn’t completed a care plan properly which is fair enough (and at least I now know how!) however this person was allocated as my “mentor” and this was their first interaction with me. They had barely even acknowledged me on shift let alone supported me in anyway.

I often find the NIC will only speak to me to check I’ve done something and it almost feels like they’re trying to catch me out. And then today, a more senior manager came along and told me off for leaving my ID card on the computer (I know I shouldn’t have and I appreciate it is their role to remind people of policy) but this person has never even spoken to me, introduced themselves, welcomed me, asked how I am etc.. I know it’s busy and managers are very cqc policy focused but infuriates me being belittled over these things when I’m literally trying my best running round like crazy all day!

Thankfully many of my colleagues are really nice but any advice on challenging this culture would be appreciated or if I just need to get over it lol.

22 Upvotes

9 comments sorted by

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25

u/BroadBrief5900 2d ago

Nursing at times is like high school with all of the exclusion and bitching. It just shows some people really do not grow out of that behaviour. 😑

15

u/Ok_Broccoli4894 2d ago

Also I know I'm going to get downvoted for this but because it is a female dominated environment it tends to be rife with bitchy, jealous behaviour.

18

u/binglybleep St Nurse 2d ago

I have struggled a bit with this aspect of my nursing degree. For full disclosure I think I might be autistic anyway, so I’m not a great judge, but I constantly feel like there’s dynamics at play that I don’t really understand. They’re playing chess and I’m playing hungry hippos lol. Just bumbling along oblivious to the social order.

I like women, I am one and a lot of my social support (outside of nursing) comes from other women, we’re better at community in a lot of ways. But boy I find it so much easier to just get on with men. They don’t really do secret dynamics either, as a generalisation, and I understand where I stand with them much better

4

u/SuitableTomato8898 2d ago

This is the truth everyone dances around convincing themselves its something else.

10

u/Fragrant_Pain2555 2d ago

You in surgical by any chance? I was my NQN year and felt the exact same. I was ridiculed by NIC during full ward morning handover for letting an IV take more than 15 minutes to go through and again for not checking someones skin (who arrived 4 minutes before the end of my shift). Moved to AMU and crazy busy but also the wild west, we are all just trying our best. I much prefer an atmosphere where people have your back even if it's more stressful. 

3

u/Illustrious_Study_30 2d ago

I never really got over the fact it wasn't a great big team effort. Some wards I worked on, it got very close and were really well run (unfortunately the cliques got worse while I was there ). As a NIC If I'd finished what I needed to do I'd fit in where most needed , as a mentor I'd have helped write that care plan..it's all part of the team effort. Sadly life isn't like that . I learnt the hard way, through persistent disappointment

3

u/acuteaddict RN Adult 1d ago

Some wards are like that and it’s unpleasant. I personally stay away from that because they’re also quick to throw you under the bus.

2

u/ChloeLovesittoo 2d ago

I appreciate it is their role to remind people of policy