Afraid to work with colleague

That sucks.

A question. Is this "small office" under a large umbrella/corporation?  My mind just wonders about stuff like this, context is almost always important. If this is within a larger organization (gov't or large not-for-profit, for example), they may actually be working on it, in their slow, bureaucratic-red-tape sort of way. Just about anything smaller than that, though, and they've already had enough time to do something.

This really sucks. Because you like the job and you are not the problem, but it is 100% unpleasant and UNFAIR to have to work with someone like this when their superiors don't immediately reign them in/put them on notice.

This is just me: I would make sure I had an out in case there turns out to be no end in sight--not necessarily due to fear that this nurse is actually that dangerous, but because employers who act stupid like this will act stupid when she makes some allegation that they CAN'T ignore, like an allegation of patient abuse or some such. They will continue to act stupid and stupid employers are what is actually dangerous.

[Still just me] I would do a couple of things. 1) Don't spend any time alone with her. If you find yourself in an area alone with her, leave that area. 2) Ignore her as much as humanly possible taking care to avoid making it obvious 3) Your employer is aware of your concern and dissatisfaction with this, and now aware of this latest unfounded accusation she has made against someone else. This is in their court. Stop reporting to them about her  lest they start to see you as just as much of a problem 4) Do your best work, and do it with a good attitude. Make sure it is clear that you are indeed NOT their problem; make them remember that they really don't want to lose you

Give it a little more time. If it continues and they continue to tolerate it, you will have a hard choice to make. Try to be level-headed about it and don't catastrophize.

Good luck ??

JKL33 said:

"A question. Is this "small office" under a large umbrella/corporation? "

It is a small office of a medium sized company.  Big enough to have solid policies/procedures but small teams that serve different clients.

"Give it a little more time. If it continues and they continue to tolerate it, you will have a hard choice to make. Try to be level-headed about it and don't catastrophize."

I am prone to planning for the worst case scenario.  I also have a habit of staying in bad situations (employment and relationships) for far too long hoping things will get better.  This is what advice I'm looking for though:  am I overreacting or is this a legit enough risk to take action? 

 

Well I read your post again and I initially missed the part where you were actually written up based on the allegation. Yeah, I would not stand for that. That's a whole other deal than "just" slow-poking on the disciplinary process with the problematic employee!  I think you have a crappy employer on your hands in addition to a crappy coworker.  Based on this info I would ask to have the write-up removed. If they say they can't do that then I personally would look for work elsewhere. I just don't tolerate stuff like that. If they agree to remove it from your employment record then I go with my first answer, which is to give it a bit longer.
 

I don't think you are overreacting.

I would leave or try to work separate shifts with her. She can make up anything.

It's good that you report these incidents to your employer. It's important to keep a written account of these issues as they arise.