Nasty coworker advice needed

Specialties LTC Directors

Published

One of my coworkers is a very nasty person. I am thinking about talking to my DON regarding this person and possibly putting in a written complaint about her. She is constantly saying things about me to other staff in many different departments where we work. I am getting tired of hearing people telling me that she was saying this or that.

Yesterday she was telling one of the nurses that she hates my guts in front of other staff members and patients. It is an awkward situation as I am in a supervisory position and have to work closely with all of these people. I am not sure what to say to my DON to get her to take this problem seriously. Might this qualify as harassment? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

You could calmly let her know that you overheard her dissing you. Deal with it yourself. If you get your DON involved, you lose authority.

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What sort of supervisory position are you in? Document her disrespectiful behavior and take her aside. Let her know her behavior is disrespectful and you expect no further discussion about you to other staff or statements of hatred to other staff members or patients. You will expect professional behavior.

Nurses are nortorious about being non-confrontational. This Will not work if you are a supervisor. Document the conversation. If you are in a position to give oral or written repramands - do it. Start with an oral - but document it in her folder. This behavior will only esculate. Obviously other staff members recognize it as unprofessional as they are telling you about it.

If this is not your roll as a supervisor - who is her direct supervisor? - discuss it with her. Get collaborating documentation from your co-workers.

She will either straighten up, or give you enough fodder for a formal action.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

She is testing you. This kind of behavior is not unusual. I would either call her into my office and calmly tell her that her behavior is unprofessional and demeans the facilities mission statement as well as reputation. If you can hear her talking this way, the patients and families can. Remind her that while in the building the nursing staff work collaboratively and as a team. She does not need to like you on a personal level, she need not invite you to her wedding or birthday party but here at work, nurses get along.

I would keep emotions or personal feelings out of it. I wouldnt even ask why she hates you. If she wants to talk, I would listen and not respond. Try not to lower yourself to her level.

I would keep a note about the conversation and if it continues I would approach the DNS insofar as patients and families do not need to hear our catfights. It demeans the nursing profession

Good luck. Who knows you might end up good friends!

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She is testing you. This kind of behavior is not unusual. I would either call her into my office and calmly tell her that her behavior is unprofessional and demeans the facilities mission statement as well as reputation. If you can hear her talking this way, the patients and families can. Remind her that while in the building the nursing staff work collaboratively and as a team. She does not need to like you on a personal level, she need not invite you to her wedding or birthday party but here at work, nurses get along.

I would keep emotions or personal feelings out of it. I wouldnt even ask why she hates you. If she wants to talk, I would listen and not respond. Try not to lower yourself to her level.

I would keep a note about the conversation and if it continues I would approach the DNS insofar as patients and families do not need to hear our catfights. It demeans the nursing profession

Good luck. Who knows you might end up good friends!

Have a witness present, if possible, such as a HR rep.

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