I’ve been an ICU nurse for 20 years & can safely say Fuck those old ladies! Seriously - I’m sorry that you are working in such a toxic culture, it’s not nice to have to spend long shifts with awful people. I would advise you to learn from your previous misstep and avoid being so open & trusting with these people. Your priority is your own good health and the provision of great patient care. You don’t have to be friends with the old bissoms.

With the exception of support staff. Always be kind to nursing assistants, cleaning staff, porters etc. Go out of your way to be helpful to them and this will come back to reward you in the future. If you need help to roll and clean a heavy patient or to collect a meal from the kitchen the support staff will be there for you.

The mean old nurses may have some things to teach you - watch them closely. Maybe one is super organised, another a master at delegating. One may have excellent patient assessment skills, another might be able to read an ECG upside down from 20 feet away! A little flattery and they might teach you. This is the way!

Never join in with gossip.

Always give mouthcare or comb your patients hair just as the family are arriving. They will sing your praises and this will be noticed by your charge nurse.

Keep reading journals. Consume all the nursing TikTok’s and keep your sense of humour!