New breed of bullies!

Nurses Relations

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Hi everyone!

I am looking for advice on how to handle a few co-workers I have the unfortunate honor of dealing with frequently. In the ER I work in, there is a "click" that consists of some nurses that are actually quite intelligent and perform their nursing duties in a manner that would make any instructor beam with pride. The problem is that they enjoy keeping some type of chaos going on with other staff members. They criticize others, spread idle gossip and keep interpersonal relations in the department torn apart.

I have been in the department for over 2 years now. When I was the "new kid on the block", I was the target of their schemes and I considered transferring departments numerous times but because I enjoy ER nursing, I was determined not to let them make me leave. Eventually they became bored with me because I stayed to myself, did my work and wouldn't "fuel the fire" so to speak - so they moved on to others. I was labeled as "weird".

The next logical step ofcourse would be to approach management, but unfortunately this group is smart enough to change their attitudes in the presence of the powers that be. The nurse manager as well as the Docs think they walk on water.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to handle co-workers such as these? Has anyone had similar experiences or am I the only one stuck dealing with other nurses that maintain a junior high school mentality? :confused:

You must work with ME!!!!! Have the same scene, just a few who make it uncomfortable, only difference is that the ones I work with are NOT GOOD NURSES, and leave most of the work to the few of us that ARE//// Documentation is key// YES speak to management, YES get some collaboration from others or MOVE ON..life is too short to put up with those wenches...............

Nurses notoriously "eat their young" especially in the ICU and ER settings... what is that about? We all should be mentoring each other better... get off the "high horse of estrogen" and be supportive... that's why, (in my opinion mind you) a unit with a nice blend of male and female nurses works much better... additionally, I think if all day people took a valium in their coffee on the way to work in the am, we would all be much better off.......................................ha!

Specializes in Psych.

I have worked in the ICU, PACU and med/surg. None of what has been described here is unique to the ER.

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

Tink writes: "The next logical step ofcourse would be to approach management"

WRONG. The next logical step is, as was advised above:

"Continue to stay to yourself, smile, and be cordial"

If you plan on doing ANYTHING other than that, what are your goals? What would you be trying to accomplish, and is this YOUR job? To change these people's personalities? To break up the clique and have them not function together as a team? To "get even" with them for making you feel left out when you first worked there? To "rescue" and "save" new ER employees from this kind of treatment? Did the new employees ASK you to do this? Would they stand behind you if you stir the pot now, after 2 years? No way.

Unless you need to feel like it is "Tink to the rescue," simply learn from the treatment you received, don't treat new people like this yourself, and move on.

If you DO, however, need to feel like the rescuer, I'd suggest you update your resume first.

Screw management. I have worked with known trouble makers and nothing gets done because the manager doesn't want to squelch the problem until his or ass is on the line and that means their boss. I wouldn't want any of this in my face when a manager should have dealt with it swiftly to the point.

Specializes in Emergency room, med/surg, UR/CSR.

There is a nurse in the ER where I work who is over 6 ft tall and uses every inch of her height to try and intimidate her coworkers. She is a good nurse when she wants to be, but has also been well known to be a lazy, backstabbing, student nurses are my personal slaves, type of person. She has no qualms about speaking her mind and calling someone down in front of coworkers about some mistake they have made, or she thinks they made. I really can't stand working with her and I am not alone in this.

Understand, if I have made a mistake, I want it called to my attention, however, in the nurses station, in front of secretaries, registrars and other nurses is not the appropriate or professional thing to do. It seems to me that if you see a fellow nurse doing something that you think is wrong, then you should take them aside and tell them privately, (if that is the appropriate to the situation) and go from there. Or at least not loudy announce to people who have no business knowing what is going on with a pt that that pt has had something not done for them that YOU thought should be done.

JMHO, Pam

Thanks guys for all your input! The original post was in July, and much to my surprise some things have actually changed some what. The "clique" spontaniously combusted. Two of the nurses fell out with each other (I guess they ran out of victims worthy of harrassment) so the group had to choose one and was divided into two sides, now they mostly harrass each other! The funny thing is they approached management about each other, now the whole department has to attend a mandatory "Dealing with difficult behavior" seminar. Life is sweet. Ofcourse there continues to be and always will be difficult behaviors to deal with, but at least they can stir up chaos amongst themselves. I am still shocked to observe such behavior from "professional" adults.

For the record, SJoe - last time I checked, I didn't have a "S" on my chest. Obviously you are right, minding my own business was the appropriate action in the long run. I hate it because I have watched alot of good nurses leave our department that confided in me the reason they decided to leave, but didn't inform management simply because they didn't want to be labeled as "difficult" when they transfered departments. Perhaps thing will go smoother for now until those two kiss and make up.

Kudos to you for sticking to yourself and doing your job as a professional! The behaviors of others only shows their own ignorance! Do not allow yourself to get involved with those "types". Yes, they are out there everywhere, probably in every ED across the country. Your managers and administration know who they are- they will eventually destroy themselves.

You're attitude is the ONLY attitude that will work with bullies like this. I've learned this from various other jobs and am lucky enough to say that I haven't witnessed this firsthand yet in nursing. I am about to graduate in December, and all throughout clincials RNs have been supportive and welcoming so far. I work in a cardiac ICU and have been offered a position upon gradutaion on that floor and ALL the RNs are very good people. Based on *my* experience, I would recommend nursing as a profession in a heartbeat. I've never been a Pollyanna, but I have to say most RN's *I* have met are very much like you, Vee. They know their stuff, and can handle any situation that comes along.

IMO, there are MANY more supportive nurses than there are nasty ones. This board is a testament to that.

So if I may offer advice to the original poster, either get tough right back or start looking for another job. You deserve better, and better *is* out there.

My best to you.

Unfortunately, every job has its group of a$$holes working. Sometimes they outnumber us and sometimes we outnumber them. I came to our ER 2 years ago when management had just changed over and the breaking up of the nasty clique had begun. A nurse that I had fought and argued with for a long time (when I was a floor nurse) left about a year after I came on board. Now, my ER is a nice place to work (except for the patients ha ha).

All you have to do is take care of your patients in the best manner you can, act professional, ask questions of WHOEVER you think can help you the best regardless if they're part of the click or not. If they see you're there to do what you were hired for, they will respect you and eventually come to ASK if they can help you. Alot of times....whether it's right or not....some people want to see how far they can get in intimidating, scaring, new nurses. It's almost a test of sorts to see "whatcha got". Alot of people are territorial and newbies go thru crap with them. Believe me, if they see you mean business and can't push your buttons, they'll back off. If not, a talk with your nurse manager is in order. And put it in writing.

Regarding the posted comment, I am reminded of the following quote:

"YOU must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

The "Don't Get Involved" option is an individual choice, but I think it is important to not BLAME and LABEL others who would like to see improvement made that will impact the bottom line for all, including patients. A uniform code of conduct that flows with an organizations's mission statement helps all work to do what we are employed to do - care responsibly for patients. In the midst of abusive and intimidating behaviors, we can no longer assume that patient care is not negatively impacted by workplace mobbing. Lead by example. Provide ongoing education that reinforces commitment to a CARING and RESPECTFUL culture. Enforce ZERO TOLERANCE for workplace mobbing.

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Tink writes: "The next logical step ofcourse would be to approach management"

WRONG. The next logical step is, as was advised:

"Continue to stay to yourself, smile, and be cordial"

If you plan on doing ANYTHING other than that, what are your goals? What would you be trying to accomplish, and is this YOUR job? To change these people's personalities? To break up the clique and have them not function together as a team? To "get even" with them for making you feel left out when you first worked there? To "rescue" and "save" new ER employees from this kind of treatment? Did the new employees ASK you to do this? Would they stand behind you if you stir the pot now, after 2 years? No way.

Unless you need to feel like it is "Tink to the rescue," simply learn from the treatment you received, don't treat new people like this yourself, and move on.

If you DO, however, need to feel like the rescuer, I'd suggest you update your resume first.

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