Back stabbing coworkers

[tktjRN]

How do you deal with a back stabbing coworker, when the boss thinks they walk on water!

[Tait, MSN, RN]

Depends on the situation I guess. I have worked with RNs who were just mean, those I mostly ignored and blew off. If someone is gunning for you, that is a different story.

[tewdles, RN]

Be pleasant but otherwise distant.

All interactions are professional and concise.

Do not consider this person a "team" member with you unless she earns your trust.

Ignore drama and gossip and focus on your work.

Always look for reasons to support your coworkers while keeping your work at your highest possible level.

Have fun in spite of her.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Don't give potential backstabbers any ammunition to use against you.

Put on a show of confidence and do not announce your mistakes, insecurities or anxieties at work.

Keep gossip to a minimum by not confiding sensitive personal information about yourself.

[MatrixRn]

As long as she is not targeting you, just remain distant. Be pleasant in your interactions but professional.

Sadly, playing favorites is one of the biggest failings of nursing. Sometimes there is a favorite because they really are friends with the boss, other times it is just because the manage is too afraid to confront the bully. As a result morale suffers, folks start to back bite and nurses quit.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

How do you deal with a back stabbing coworker, when the boss thinks they walk on water!

I have a few back-stabbing coworkers who are highly regarded by upper management. Instead of dealing with these nurses, I try to fly under their radars and avoid ending up on their bad side.

In a nutshell, these back-stabbing coworkers target people whom they feel are threats to them.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Be pleasant but otherwise distant.

All interactions are professional and concise.

Do not consider this person a "team" member with you unless she earns your trust.

Ignore drama and gossip and focus on your work.

Always look for reasons to support your coworkers while keeping your work at your highest possible level.

Have fun in spite of her.

This. And don't get caught up in any drama or fray. Standard answer when someone shares gossip with me? Wow. That's too bad. Don't know anything about it, and glad I don't......

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I prefer to remain neutral. Aside from being professional and friendly at work, I keep work at work and avoid the gossip as much as possible.

I've never been one to socialize with co-workers outside of work, with the exception of the odd person, and that's after feeling them out. You never really know who might turn against you, or when. The less people know about you, the better off you'll be, with the exception of a select few.

I also rarely report someone. Usually the offenses are minor and these can be resolved. Plus, someone else will do the reporting in many instances. I'd rather not be known as the snitch either. People tend to get found out sooner or later.

[Morainey, BSN, RN]

All good advice from previous posters, but I'd just add, try to focus on patients and doing your job well. Unfortunately it does seem like there are always staff favorites of management who we're all just like... REALLY?!?! about. Part of nursing or any job really I guess!