Other Nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

There should be a discussion category entitled "Cathartic Rants".

The biggest problem with nursing is ... other nurses. This is how I feel this morning. Other nurses, awful nurses who are awful people. Nurses whose priorities are as*-backwards; who work harder to get out of work than if they just did it; whose day is given meaning if someone else overlooks something, however inconsequential, and they are given the opportunity to make a big production out of it; who confuse their nurse manager with their mommies and go running to tattle about tiny little things that have zero clinical significance; who will hopefully never have a moment of personal insight or clarity because I would wholeheartedly prefer them to be oblivious than actually face the truth about themselves.

No, I don't feel better. Yes, I try to take a step back and understand what motivates people. But recognizing why someone may be as miserable as they are and is compelled to spread their contagion is not enough to excuse their behavior sometimes. I used to be unflappable. (Then I got married). I used to love my job, but then these people, over time, have gotten to me, and the high road has become impassable. I let things go, but then they fester within me. I confront someone like an adult after my name has been in their mouth or the backstabbing or passive-aggressive nonsense has gotten out of control, but their responses end up being more inappropriate and infuriating than the original offense. Am I perfect? Of course not. Do I care about my job and my patients? Very, very much. I feel like being both of these things, admittedly imperfect and professionally conscientious, makes me the exception, or maybe even a target. If these nurses were good at their job or halfway decent people, I might be able to swallow this cr*p. But they are terrible. The bizarre thing about all of this is that I work nights on a gd psych unit, and I'm the only nurse on my shift. People are gonna wonder when I go postal. Like, "What was that all about?"

I guess this helps a little, whining and crying. Knowing that my nurse manager and in-house psychiatrist don't feel or think this way helps, also. There are a few good new nurses with whom I can commiserate. Convincing myself that I am genuinely committed to my patients, and hearing sometimes that they sense this and appreciate it is pretty much all that I can ask for, all that matters. I guess I just want people to know why I ended up on the news is all.

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Specializes in LTC, Pediatrics, Renal Med/Surg.

I'm sorry.:kiss

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

:loveya: *big hugs*

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Yikes. Please don't end up on the news. I am so sorry for your pain. I hope you find a better outlet than this and I strongly encourage you to seek help for this festering internal wound. You don't deserve to feel this way and I fear from what you have said that something horrible might happen.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I hear you and I feel your pain:hug:. I think those people have very little confidence and are insecure. There are a few that are just plain petty and mean...but a majority are very insecure and feel obligated to point their own inadequacies by placing them upon others to make themselves better. When I was a manager I had a "No whining" policy and I made it very clear to the staff. Even in my interview process I made it clear that it is mandatory to play nice in the sandbox.

I am a strong advocate for an open door policy and would go out to help whenever but especially when asked. I had a "Whine Box" if it wasn't a practice, safety, competency issue it went in the whine box. There you could rant and rave to your hearts content. I did not allow bickering but I would mediate, like I did with my kids "He's looking at me....She's breathing my air" arguments so both parties could get it out of their systems.

Just consider the source....don't engage them and their activity, and be the better nurse..:redpinkhe

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Esme, you have no idea how badly I want to come work for you.:redpinkhe I'm a big fan.

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Set boundaries and limits. Concentrate on your professional/educational

goals and pursue them. Then take your educated and experienced self

to another job that you will enjoy.

In the meantime, your patients do value all you do for them.

Focus on the care of your patients and your personal professional plans.

PS To end up on the news would delight them.

So stay calm and be a top professional which will

annoy them as they will never be able to catch up with you....

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

is this a warning? Are you seriously considering taking some action? If so, PLEASE take a vacation first and then talk to a professional. Your skills are too valuable to be wasted in jail.

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The hard part is when your manager is involved with the gossiping/ whining.

Esme I am so glad to know there are nurse managers that rise above it!!

Hope your staff knows how lucky they are to have you!

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/SNF-LTC/Supervisory.

Kudos Kudos KUDOS! I feel the exact same way!!! It's horrible how many of these types of people are in nursing... disgusting!!!

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