Advice about Co-Worker

[bellagreeneyz]

Hello Everyone, I'm new here to the site but I have been reading through discussions for quite a while. Well, now the time has come to where I need some advice, so I figure I will reach out on here and see if I get any feedback (positive or negative).

I have not been a nurse for very long, but I have been in the medical field for at least 5 year or so. I recently moved to a new hospital about 6 months ago and I have came across a co-worker that continues to rub me "the wrong way". It DID start off as "petty" I guess you would say, things that I could and was ignoring, for example, this particular nurse has not been with the hospital any longer than I have or in the medical field any longer than I have, in fact she is about 4 years older than I and we both graduated around the same time from getting our Associates in Nursing and we both came to this hospital after completing our internships at other hospitals, BUT this girl has the "I know it all and I am the best at everything" attitude with the "I hate the hours and don't want to work ANY Holiday's" laziness. She always came across to me as the type of girl that just enjoyed having the initials behind her name or the ability to say "I'm a nurse", but doesn't have the heart or the devotion to actually BE anything other than, well I'm not sure what. She just seem's that she wants to have the title and I've even heard her speak of going back to school to become either a NP or a PA. Either way, that kind of stuff, I have been trying to ignore and so far it has worked out ok. The other day though, I overheard her talking to someone in a "joking" manner while on her phone in the break room and something she said and the tone of voice she said it in just made me cringe. She was actually saying she was going to get some kind of hidden camera to wear, like a pen/pin (not sure which one), so that she could record the ridiculous patients we have to deal with on a daily basis!! Now, like I said, it could have been a total joke, but she went as far as to talk about different "spy gear" websites she had visited and how long they record and so on and so on. So as a fellow nurse on break, in the same room that she was in, overhearing her conversation, I thought to myself that it was WRONG to not only joke about if that is indeed what she was doing, but to discuss while AT WORK!

I'm not the type of person that goes around and "gossips" or runs and tells, in fact the only other person that has heard me complain about this one particular girl is my fiance' simply because I try to keep to myself and my opinions to myself especially in the work place. I don't like drama and I sure don't like being in the middle or causing the drama. This just really bothers me!! I have heard this girl joke about "accidentally" taking home medications and not noticing until she took off her scrubs, I have heard her talk horribly to patients, and I have heard her talk horribly about patients. She just seems very nonprofessional to me and not at all dedicated, but she sure does like to hold her head high like her sh*t doesn't stink (in the words of my southern grandmother). It all just makes me want to climb the wall.

What I am asking about though is, what should I do about the conversation I overheard? I mean it could have been just a joke, it was her private conversation and she was not talking to me. I have no idea what any kind of spy gear would look like so I wouldn't know if she had it or not, but I do know that it is an EXTREME VIOLATION to have anything like that. We aren't even allowed to have our phones really b/c of all the regulations these days and the technology that comes along with a phone.

So, should I just keep my mouth shut or should I say something?

[systoly]

I think your concern is influenced by your dislike to this person. Why did you go through the trouble of giving us a complete history when all you had to do is say look guys this is what I overheard - what do you guys think? Let it go. You don't want to be labeled as break room police.

[Orange Tree]

It sounds like she's venting and has a very different sense of humor than you do. I wouldn't go running to anyone with the information about her plans to be a spy. You would come out looking quite foolish, I think! She would have to be totally crazy to be serious about something like that.....and a real spy wouldn't announce her plans to the world.

I think you should try to overhear less of this girl's conversations. Think about fluffy bunnies when you hear her voice, or something.

[lsk40]

Just so you know it was not a private conversation because it was in a public place there is something called expectation of privacy. she had know expectation of privacy if she was talking in the break room. I would do nothing yet just watch and see if she is still talking about spy gear and gets really into detail about it say something to your boss. Does she really seem dumb enough to plan to spy on pt. at work if so she needs to be on that show worlds dumbest criminals.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Just be glad that you aren't like her. If she DOES get spy gear, she will want to share it, and she will be BOOM BOOM busted and will no longer have those initials behind her name. Let her hang herself.

[TylerDurdenRN]

Is this a rhetorical question? It is obvious she was joking, you even stated she was joking, right after you ranted about how much you despise this person. Which to reiterated multiple times. Reading the examples I saw no true disregard of patient safety on her part, lack of professionalism perhaps. You personal opinion that she is no the best worker, and is arrogant, over confident, and rude, are just that personal opinions.

I can tell you right now, you are going to run into tons of people the rub you the wrong way, thats a fact. But you have to sit back and ask yourself; Are they causing blatant patient safety issues, are they causing staff safety issues? Or is it a personal vendetta you feel about this person clouding judgement of a situation.

She was joking about the camera, I think you already know that.

Her comments at work, if they are exactly as you post do come across as pretty unprofessional, but trust me, those type of comments will catch up with her, as more people will get fed up with it over time, and more people you work with will start feeling just like you, and that girl will either have to change, or eventually see the consequences of her actions, either by discipline, or a floor of co-workers having little or no respect for her.

If you absolutely must say something, talk to her first, don't go behind her back to MGMT first, thats very petty and unprofessional if you ask me. But be forewarned, going to talk to someone about their own personality, personal comments, or actions is dangerous territory, know how to handle it first. Especially if its someone with a lot of pride, like you have described. But as a very opinionated person myself, I would much rather have my co worker approach me about my attitude, rather than HR, and I know I would try to change, even if i at first would be upset with the person calling me out. In the long run I think I would respect them for not getting MGMT invovled and letting me work on it myself.

Lastly, I appreciate a good vent on this site, and I understand what its like to work with someone you described. So I can understand where your coming from. But my 2 cents, keep it to yourself. Sometimes you gotta let these type of people burn themselves. If you see a lapse in patient safety, talk to her personally, if she doesn't respond professionally, then take steps to have MGMT evaluate the situation. But until then, just keep on working at your highest level without worrying about her.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

She may be unprofessional, but I see nothing worthy of reporting to your manager. Everyone has different levels of humor, and perhaps that is her way of blowing off steam on her break.

Oh and you complained that she's "accidentally" taken home meds. I don't think there's a nurse out there that hasn't taken home meds by accident at one time or another, even if it's just a Colace or Senna.

Sounds to me more like a personality clash issue that a nursing issue.

[caliotter3]

She may have been speaking in a joking, nonmeaningful manner, or she may have been expressing her true intentions. Either way, you accidentally heard the conversation and may not have been exposed to the entire situation. Best to leave it alone unless you actually observe her doing something illegal or have stronger evidence. Then make an appropriate written report and leave it to the supervisors to deal with. I would make a concerted effort to dismiss the overheard conversations of others. You have more important matters to pay attention to.

[TakeOne]

...I'm not the type of person that goes around and "gossips" or runs and tells...

I disagree. Your post is full of petty and catty remarks about this coworker, and my take is that you are dying to start something. Please, PLEASE don't be one of those nurses.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Focus on your own work and hers less. If she bothers you so much, disassociate yourself from her.

[greenfiremajick]

Are you sure she didn't know you were there? She may have done it to be a smarta$$, or to see if she could make you tattle, or just to get a reaction........

Hello Everyone, I'm new here to the site but I have been reading through discussions for quite a while. Well, now the time has come to where I need some advice, so I figure I will reach out on here and see if I get any feedback (positive or negative).

I have not been a nurse for very long, but I have been in the medical field for at least 5 year or so. I recently moved to a new hospital about 6 months ago and I have came across a co-worker that continues to rub me "the wrong way". It DID start off as "petty" I guess you would say, things that I could and was ignoring, for example, this particular nurse has not been with the hospital any longer than I have or in the medical field any longer than I have, in fact she is about 4 years older than I and we both graduated around the same time from getting our Associates in Nursing and we both came to this hospital after completing our internships at other hospitals, BUT this girl has the "I know it all and I am the best at everything" attitude with the "I hate the hours and don't want to work ANY Holiday's" laziness. She always came across to me as the type of girl that just enjoyed having the initials behind her name or the ability to say "I'm a nurse", but doesn't have the heart or the devotion to actually BE anything other than, well I'm not sure what. She just seem's that she wants to have the title and I've even heard her speak of going back to school to become either a NP or a PA. Either way, that kind of stuff, I have been trying to ignore and so far it has worked out ok. The other day though, I overheard her talking to someone in a "joking" manner while on her phone in the break room and something she said and the tone of voice she said it in just made me cringe. She was actually saying she was going to get some kind of hidden camera to wear, like a pen/pin (not sure which one), so that she could record the ridiculous patients we have to deal with on a daily basis!! Now, like I said, it could have been a total joke, but she went as far as to talk about different "spy gear" websites she had visited and how long they record and so on and so on. So as a fellow nurse on break, in the same room that she was in, overhearing her conversation, I thought to myself that it was WRONG to not only joke about if that is indeed what she was doing, but to discuss while AT WORK!

I'm not the type of person that goes around and "gossips" or runs and tells, in fact the only other person that has heard me complain about this one particular girl is my fiance' simply because I try to keep to myself and my opinions to myself especially in the work place. I don't like drama and I sure don't like being in the middle or causing the drama. This just really bothers me!! I have heard this girl joke about "accidentally" taking home medications and not noticing until she took off her scrubs, I have heard her talk horribly to patients, and I have heard her talk horribly about patients. She just seems very nonprofessional to me and not at all dedicated, but she sure does like to hold her head high like her sh*t doesn't stink (in the words of my southern grandmother). It all just makes me want to climb the wall.

What I am asking about though is, what should I do about the conversation I overheard? I mean it could have been just a joke, it was her private conversation and she was not talking to me. I have no idea what any kind of spy gear would look like so I wouldn't know if she had it or not, but I do know that it is an EXTREME VIOLATION to have anything like that. We aren't even allowed to have our phones really b/c of all the regulations these days and the technology that comes along with a phone.

So, should I just keep my mouth shut or should I say something?

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

If she is going to sink her own ship...let her do it all by herself!