tech constantly badmouthing nurses to physicians

[bumblebee3d]

I am an RN who works in the operating room. I have been at my job for 5 months, and am new to the OR although I have been a nurse for a long time. I am still learning my new role. There is one scrub tech who is very chatty and "friendly" with the physicians during surgery. I have heard her on numerous occasions criticizing other scrub techs or RNs to surgeons. This is a person who all the staff seems to like and be friends with. I have always just ignored the comments since I am new and everyone seems to like her. However, while I was circulating a case and she was the scrub tech, she proceeded to badmouth ME to the surgeon! I walked up the the field and let her know she needed to stop, but I didn't make a big deal out of it because I didn't want to distract everyone from the task at hand! She talks to the docs like she is their peer.

I want to write her up, but I have to continue to work with her! And I know that if I write her up, it will add fuel to the fire and she will tell EVERYONE and I may be ostracized. My nurse manager in non-confrontational so I don't think she will do anything if I take it to her. I need advise!

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

You just have to stick it up and ignore her. Do not write her up. Go to your manager and let her know what is happening. Even if your manager is non-confrontational, you have to do your part in case things escalate. Keep up your work ethic and continue being friendly to everyone. Do not fall into the trap of badmouthing her back. You've already expressed your concerns openly to her face. I think she feels threatened by you evidenced by her comment "I was only joking." Give it a couple weeks and see what happens.

[CrossCountryRN2008]

Just ignore her and go about your job. Speak with the manager as well

[Psychcns]

Agree with above posters. Don't write her up--yet. Since you are new, wait and see how the others handle her. It sounds like she has a strong personality. It sounds like there will be a time when someone has to go over rules of communication with her. For now speak with your manager, speak up for yourself when she is disrespectful, and do your job.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

If you are noticing this and have just started, I am sure that the other nurses you work with have also noticed it. The reason that this kind of behavior is allowed to continue most times is because people don't speak up. I am glad you did, but now follow up with your manager. Be specific in what you heard, what you did, how you handled it. Before this nurse goes to the manager about you confronting HER.

Be very specific in what was said. I would NOT get into "she is too chummy with the MD's". Nurses can and do have long standing relationships with MD's over time, so as annoying as that may be, still not something to base a complaint on.

What is troubling is the bad mouthing. That behavior has got to end. See if there's a policy in place regarding behavior. If there is, and there should be, do what it says you are to do.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

You did well to talk to her directly. Now let it go for now. I'm sure all of the other nurses realize that she badmouths them to the surgeons, and I'd be surprised if the surgeons haven't noticed her attitude. Just keep being nice to everyone and do your best to fit in. Once you are part of the team, and not the new nurse, you'll be in a better position to cause change.