Coworker issues - so disheartening

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey guys..long story short: I'm an RN now approaching to complete my first year working at a small facility. The MA (let's call her Ann) who has been there for 3 years has been so good to me, helping with orienting me to the software, some machines and the general routine at this place is now becoming a little harsh. At first I thought maybe it's because I've been doing something wrong, but I spoke with our manager who told me I have learned very fast and he is so impressed by my progress that he now entrusted me with more responsibilities (within my first 2-3 months).

Lately, Ann has been really cold to me and always complaining about the most inane things, like the trash can was not placed exactly under the hole of the counter or that the windows were not wiped or supplies were not arranged the way she wanted them. Now I've been doing my best to make sure everything in the place is clean and clear and every room stocked almost perfectly. (Yes, we need to do all of those aside from nursing work, which I don't mind.)

Another coworker who snooped around and found out everyone's salary (I know, I know, she shouldn't have done that) said she thinks maybe Ann is not happy with the salary difference. At my first year, I earn $4 more than she does being an MA for 3 years. For me, maybe it's just office politics and she is in a power struggle all by herself, thinking that because I don't follow her around like a puppy dog in orientation, she's not "higher" than me anymore (experience-wise.) I don't know..it's just so disheartening to work with a person like this. I always think that if someone is not happy with their life, they will find ways to make other people's lives miserable. Am I overreacting or are there really people like this in nursing?

There is a very good reason why a professional does not discuss their salary; just plain old human greed. I'm not saying that all people are greedy but way down deep inside that green monster lurks and comes out when least expected.

"Let's all work as a team" theory is great until you factor in the salaries. I have worked an a few places and there is one constant; the CNAs, MAs, and LPNs in many instances resent that the RN makes x amount of bucks.

I have done everything from offering counsel about how to go back to school; to lying about my salary, but to no avail. So I end up telling them if they want to have an increase in salary then go to school and get the degree.

Frankly I'm tired of having to defend my wage and the reason I sit at the computer and the charts and phone for hours looking like I'm "doing nothing the big nothing" while everyone else does the so called grunt work. I would love to take one of these non-believers and put them in my position for just one day......Haaaa; they would flee hysterically screaming from the building............. never to be heard from again; I guarantee it.

To answer your question; from the perspective of my experience I would say that they're are many that resent the salary difference but only a few who will openly display hostility toward the issue.

I agree! Although if the snooper hadn't told me what our salary difference was, I wouldn't have factored that in and would probably still keep thinking that I was doing something wrong. I'm from a different country so I'm not that aware of exactly what MAs make vs. RNs. It wasn't even something that I was worried about. For me, as long as I'm being compensated fairly (starting RN wage competitive with other RN) then I'm fine with it.

Anyway, Ann the type of person who knows everything about the facility having worked there a few months after they opened and sort of helped making it grow. So I have no doubt that she knows everyone's salary because she can go through all the paperwork in our manager's office whereas I, being newer albeit full-timer too, wouldn't think of sorting out my manager's desk. His office is open to everyone but everyone else works part-time so they don't care about sorting and cleaning his office.

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Specializes in LTC, geriatric, renal.

There are of course people like this in nursing. My opinion is, if she feels that way about your salary, then so be it. You worked hard for your degree and if she wants better pay she should go back to school for it. Be proud of what you have and that you have worked hard for it. You sound like a great nurse, if they trust you that much immediately. Good luck.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Op, don't take it personally. There wll always be people who are unhappy with their lot in life and will take it out on you.

And that coworker who snooped and found out what people earn? Big no no. :down:

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
hey guys..long story short: i'm an rn now approaching to complete my first year working at a small facility. the ma (let's call her ann) who has been there for 3 years has been so good to me, helping with orienting me to the software, some machines and the general routine at this place is now becoming a little harsh. at first i thought maybe it's because i've been doing something wrong, but i spoke with our manager who told me i have learned very fast and he is so impressed by my progress that he now entrusted me with more responsibilities (within my first 2-3 months).

lately, ann has been really cold to me and always complaining about the most inane things, like the trash can was not placed exactly under the hole of the counter or that the windows were not wiped or supplies were not arranged the way she wanted them. now i've been doing my best to make sure everything in the place is clean and clear and every room stocked almost perfectly. (yes, we need to do all of those aside from nursing work, which i don't mind.)

another coworker who snooped around and found out everyone's salary (i know, i know, she shouldn't have done that) said she thinks maybe ann is not happy with the salary difference. at my first year, i earn $4 more than she does being an ma for 3 years. for me, maybe it's just office politics and she is in a power struggle all by herself, thinking that because i don't follow her around like a puppy dog in orientation, she's not "higher" than me anymore (experience-wise.) i don't know..it's just so disheartening to work with a person like this. i always think that if someone is not happy with their life, they will find ways to make other people's lives miserable. am i overreacting or are there really people like this in nursing?

you really don't know why she's giving you the cold shoulder now -- it could have absolutely nothing to do with the salary difference. the only way you're going to know is to talk with her about it.

don't let the behavior of a coworker make your life miserable. it might make your workday a little uncomfortable -- or a lot. but it's not your life. i'm presuming you have a life outside of work. we're all going to have to work with people we don't enjoy, don't like, don't respect, don't trust . . . it's just part of the real world. there are people who won't like you or whom you won't like everywhere. nursing is no exception.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.
I have a slightly different perspective on working relationships because I grew up in a family business and was taught from a very early age that you do not become "friends" with the employees. You are always "friendly" but not friends. You are always polite, but do not engage in "buddy-type" behavior. This is how I learned to be an employee and as such after 20 years in the working world (now a pre-nursing student) I don't look at my place of employment as a source of friendship or interpersonal validation. I personally believe that having the expectation of making "friends" in the workplace is part of why so many people get their feelings hurt in working situations. You're not there to be friends.

On one hand, I agree. I don't go to work to make friends. That doesn't mean I treat my co-workers like garbage. However, I've learned over the years that there are benefits to having friends at work, especially if your boss is one of them.

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MA can never be RN so she should not feel bad at al. It is worrsome to note that you stil have to do the cleaning job. But i still think nursing is the only profession that eats up it's young. The discremination is too much.....

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MA can never be RN so she should not feel bad at al. It is worrsome to note that you stil have to do the cleaning job. But i still think nursing is the only profession that eats up it's young. The discremination is too much.....

Its just a small facility so everbody helps out with everything. The only other thing that annoys me a lot is she thinks of herself as a nurse. She says she's already a nurse, doing nursing care but just without the degree and that she doesn't get paid like a nurse too. But I doubt that if she starts working at a hospital with the experience she has now, she's not gonna last. Even me, with a BSN degree I don't think I can handle a hospital job without any preceptors, how much more can an MA who never got any sort of nursing education? (Please not: I'm not bashing MAs in general and sorry if anyone is offended by what I said, just venting:))

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

The Nosey Parker who looked into your salaries needs to be disciplined. That's confidential information.

Second, as an RN, you should be making a lot more than $4/hr more than an MA. They're getting your education and skills on the cheap, IMO.

You don't go to work to make friends. It's nice to have a pleasant atmosphere, but the bottom line is, you're there to work. It's time to step up and stop acting like a whipped dog around this MA, or she is always going to be stepping on you. Be confident in your skills and your abilities. You are the one with the license. I'm not trying to say you are better than her, but it sounds like you are letting her lead you around by the nose. That has to stop...now. If you don't set some boundaries, this situation will just escalate.

And if she is introducing herself to patients as a nurse, someone needs to put the kibosh on that immediately. She is not a nurse. She is misrepresenting herself to patients, and that is wrong.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

Hi- yes, it's not just in nursing! I'm middle-aged, and am only a nursing student (and am about to post a rant about that :^) ... but in my previous career I occasionally (certainly not all, let's be fair :^) saw people who were one or more of these: immature, temper-tantrum-throwing, power-mad, wanting-to-take-all-the-credit, unbelievably self-centered, mean, crazy, etc. I know it's hard, but as they say, don't let her get to you. If you can.

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The Nosey Parker who looked into your salaries needs to be disciplined. That's confidential information.

Second, as an RN, you should be making a lot more than $4/hr more than an MA. They're getting your education and skills on the cheap, IMO.

You don't go to work to make friends. It's nice to have a pleasant atmosphere, but the bottom line is, you're there to work. It's time to step up and stop acting like a whipped dog around this MA, or she is always going to be stepping on you. Be confident in your skills and your abilities. You are the one with the license. I'm not trying to say you are better than her, but it sounds like you are letting her lead you around by the nose. That has to stop...now. If you don't set some boundaries, this situation will just escalate.

And if she is introducing herself to patients as a nurse, someone needs to put the kibosh on that immediately. She is not a nurse. She is misrepresenting herself to patients, and that is wrong.

thank you for your advice!:) This is my first nursing job and I think the starting salary I got is the average one in our state. She has been here for 3 years and it is a private facility so they don't follow the regulary percent raise I guess like only 1%raise or something like in other places. I did get a $2 raise after a few months so I'm $6 ahead of her now (unless they gave her a raise when I got one too).

And you are right, I was a newbie and had low confidence at first so I guess I had let her step all over me. But now that I'm a little bit better at what I'm doing I am fighting back slowly now. I don't go whining to management though but I defend myself more. Plus because of all the complaining she's been doing, it is turning out to be something positive because I am now extra careful and thorough with my work and that made everyone else trust me even more. Now, if two part-timers work together for one whole shift, they call me now with their questions and not her (which probably annoys her even more though because she was used to be the so-called leader/superior of everyone. lol)

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
thank you for your advice!:) This is my first nursing job and I think the starting salary I got is the average one in our state. She has been here for 3 years and it is a private facility so they don't follow the regulary percent raise I guess like only 1%raise or something like in other places. I did get a $2 raise after a few months so I'm $6 ahead of her now (unless they gave her a raise when I got one too).

And you are right, I was a newbie and had low confidence at first so I guess I had let her step all over me. But now that I'm a little bit better at what I'm doing I am fighting back slowly now. I don't go whining to management though but I defend myself more. Plus because of all the complaining she's been doing, it is turning out to be something positive because I am now extra careful and thorough with my work and that made everyone else trust me even more. Now, if two part-timers work together for one whole shift, they call me now with their questions and not her (which probably annoys her even more though because she was used to be the so-called leader/superior of everyone. lol)

Good for you. Just keep doing what you're doing and your credibility and professionalism will speak for themselves.

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