I work in an extremely toxic nursing environment as a nursing manager. There is always negative feedback.

13 Comments

1. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netSeptember 3,2024 at 12:19PM UTC

   Nurses are in high demand and you should be able to find a new job.

2. JenniferSeptember 4,2024 at 5:02PM UTC

   It's a matter of a job that pays what I make now as well as the flexibility I have. I have definitely been looking.

3. AnonymousSeptember 3,2024 at 3:03PM UTC

   I think balance is key. Focus on your day as chunks of time and effort and joy. Work to make your mornings at home productive, happy and loving. Get up earlier to spend time with selfcare, loving your family with breakfast and positive interaction. Set the tone in your house. Ask your partner for help (regardless of their answer) ask. Don't connect with the result so much as your effort if that makes sense.

   Set up your intention for the day with your prayer or meditation. Envision your life being full and content. Make breakfast, pack lunches and focus on calm breathing and love for your family. Do what you can to stay in the present moment. Again, don't focus on future overwhelm or how unsupported you feel. Do what YOU can in the moment.

   On the way to work focus on you, not the toxic expectation. Think of the things you are grateful for. Don't project and expect horror.

   Do only what you can and stay present. Most anxiety is projection of anticipated drama and horror based on what's in your mind. Practice staying only in the present moment and let negativity stay in the past. Do only what you can do presently. Do not add to the drama.

   Use uplifting podcasts and music in the car ride to work. If you take public transit wear headphones to provide that peace. Again, stay present.

   Eat healthy, take walks outside on breaks. Make sure to take them. Listen to uplifting music and peaceful meditations if that works for you. Figure out what YOU can do to add peace in your life to balance any negative feedback.

   Same on the way home. Create a positive transition. Don't expect the need to lean on your partner. Be grateful for their embrace but leave regrets in the past and set your expectations aside. Instead create a positive energy and create a great evening enjoying your family. Get rest, not just from sleep. Take a family walk following dinner. Praise your children for doing their homework. Set up chores. Again, YOU can change your feelings of negativity from your job and your lack of support. Don't drag that home. Focus on your present. Enjoy the love you feel for your family.

   Create a wind-down transition as your home quiets down. YOU can create a peaceful transition. Stay present. Read blogs and watch videos and tedtalks. Educate yourself and get proactive. Stay present and understand you have the power to create your world. Visit your church. Meditation. Counseling. Read. Educate yourself so you learn ways to fortify yourself and stay present.

   There are so many things YOU can do to design a supportive life that is full of joy abd peace but YOU need to do the work. When you are at peace and full of love, so is your home. It's hard work but so rewarding and satisfying. You can do this.

4. JenniferSeptember 4,2024 at 5:03PM UTC

   Thank you for all of this advice. Alot of I already do I just need some grounding from time to time. ?

5. AnonymousSeptember 4,2024 at 6:42PM UTC

   Great. Sometimes you just need to take a nice long walk and breathe and remind yourself of your blessings and that can put things in perspective.

6. AnonymousSeptember 4,2024 at 6:00AM UTC

   Hard to offer much advice, where is the negative feedback coming from? Is the toxic environment your team specifically? What can you actually control in these situations? I fully embrace the “there’s always something I can do” approach but how much do you have left in the tank to fight for change? You’re in a management position so you do have some authority. You can’t change the entire hospital (or wherever you are) but you can work to improve things for your team at least. If you don’t have the energy or willpower to do it, find another job. Your loved ones deserve the best of you, not what’s left of you after a hard day.

7. JenniferSeptember 4,2024 at 5:00PM UTC

   Management in my workplace is just a title. The negativity is from all areas including my boss and higher ups. I have tried to get feedback to do my part but it's like mopping up the ocean. The pay is really good and I love certain aspects of my job such as caring for people

8. AnonymousSeptember 5,2024 at 2:17PM UTC

   It’s hard to make significant change when you have limited power and minimal/no support from your manager. Instead of mopping up the ocean, can you refocus on smaller goals? What small but impactful changes could you make to improve your workday? (Take more frequent breaks, go for a walk around the building when you’re overwhelmed, if you have an office or locker stash some favorite snacks there, take vacation or personal days to break up a bad week?)

   If there really isn’t anything you can do, maybe step back and scale down your hours? (could seek out a short contract position to offset missing income if needed?) Rather then try to fix anything just change your mindset to it’s just a paycheck and don’t invest further.

9. Cindy GloverSeptember 4,2024 at 6:41PM UTC

   What a shame to hear - especially in your line of work

10. Janice MasonSeptember 5,2024 at 1:00PM UTC

    I admire you for the job you do bc it is such an important job (I work in a hospital-support staff, non patient but I have the highest admiration for all nursing staff). You gave a really tough position!!! At least in your day to day work, could saying something like “how can I help?” turn the difficult conversations around or help them to take a step back and think about what they are asking or saying, maybe feel like they are being listened to? At home, tell your family and fiancé that you NEED help and maybe if you get help from them, you would be more able/willing to help them. If it is so toxic and change cannot happen at work, there are other hospitals that would love to have you!!!

11. Janice MasonSeptember 5,2024 at 1:01PM UTC

    I meant you have a tough position.

12. AnonymousSeptember 5,2024 at 3:14PM UTC

    don’t choose career you don’t want to be in, stay away from toxic, where bad people who assault volunerable women.

13. AnonymousSeptember 5,2024 at 6:41PM UTC

    Find something that is just for you that soothes you in the middle of the day and or after work. If that is impossible it's time to seek help or find a new role in a place where the toxicity is non existent. Or be the change, stop accepting that behavior and let others know it cannot continue and that you will no longer be a part of working in that type of place.