How do you cope with work and co-workers:(

SoundofMusic · Oct 1, 2011

I've worked as a nurse for a while now. I've found that I have no control over who likes me and who doesn't. I can't stop either one. I have fantastic wonderful friends in nursing, and I have those who make my skin crawl and I just DREAD seeing on my shift. I just try at work to immerse myself in my work, in the care of the patients, and I try not to chit chat too much w/ everyone. I'm friendly, but don't join in on the mean gossip if I can help it. I really do just go in to do the job and go home, because I only work part time and happen to have a large life outside of nursing. It's a career, but it's also a paycheck to me.

That said, I come off as a nice nurse and there are plenty who have tried to take advantage of that and have pushed me around, bullied me, etc. I guess at times they've succeeded and I've felt like a total bully magnet, but overall, I have a great many friends in nursing and have always left jobs on good terms and have no problem obtaining new jobs. I've even had good friend follow me on to other jobs. I've also always had VERY good eval reports and have never been written up. I'm also in grad school now, doing well, and really look forward to being OUT of nursing in about 2 years for good.

Most of all, I like me, my husband and family like me ...and dog gone it, MOST of my patients like me ...and that's really all that matters. (does also matter if the boss somewhat at least thinks I'm a good worker and a pleasant person to work around).

I say don't change yourself. The evil little nasties usually get it in the end and are usually just miserable people to begin with. We have a tech like this on our unit .. .and she keeps threatening to leave ... I notice that no one is really trying to stop her. LOL.

morecoffeepls, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2011

Oops. Just posted an identical thread. Guess this is how you deal with it. Thx, an.

sofla98 · Oct 13, 2011

Hello :) How are you? How do you keep your calm and cool when you working with people you can't stand. How do you work with them. How do you stay at a job for years and still have a good attitude. How do people stay at one place for 2 to 5 years or more. How do you deal with annoying and back stabbing co-workers. Thank you.

I keep busy. Honestly, I can work my entire shift and not sit down in the nurses station if I want to. The fact of the matter is, we have to be professional. I work with quite a few people that drive me nuts, but I realize that I might drive them nuts as well. I am also very good at tuning people (sounds, smells, etc.) out. This skill has been very beneficial during lunch. Some co-workers just gab gab gab about nonsense their entire break. It drives lots of people crazy, but I just tune 'em out, enjoy my time, and eat my lunch.

In the last few years I try really hard to think in a positive way, especially when I am feeling edgy and anxious. When I am tired and my feet and back are killing me, I remind myself how lucky I am to have a full time, day shift nursing job in a market that is over saturated with nurses, etc. It is not easy when the majority of people you work with are women (I get along much better w/men). Women can be very nasty to each other and some have not matured a day since 7th grade. But, again, at work we must be professional.

Maybe get an iPod or something to listen to during your breaks, when you are working with ppl that grate your nerves, try to spend your time taking care of your patients, helping out the CNA's with stocking or baths, etc. I love to listen to the stories that some of my patients and their family members share. Just sitting down and talking with a lonesome patient can do wonders for them, and you. :)

There are so many opportunities for nurses that (unless you are contracted for a certain period of time) you can change jobs until you find the right one for you. I found mine after ten years of being a nurse. You'll know it when you get there. Even after three years, I still cannot wait to go to work sometimes and I never dread going in. Good Luck!