Am I being too sensitive?

Nurses General Nursing

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I've been working nights on a busy Ortho floor for about month now. With a little over a month to go on orientation, I'm still trying to learn all the ropes, names of equipment, names of doctors etc. On our floor we give taped reports. Last night, I had a terrible, stressful night and while taping my report this morning I accidently mispronounced one of the names of the equipment. After day shift finished listening to report, a day shift tech came up to me and very loudly (and rudely IMO) , in front of everyone said "It's pronounced so-so. And by the way last week you said Dr. So and so's name wrong during report. It's pronounced Dr.??? I'm telling you so people can stop laughing at you in report." I felt kind of embarassed 1. because she just randomly confronted me in front everyone and 2. the fact that people were laughing at me because I accidently mispronounced a word/name. I know I'm still very new and by all means if I'm doing something wrong I want someone to tell me, but I guess I'm upset with how it was handled. I would've been ok, if she had pulled me to the side and told me or better yet if one of the day shift nurses would have told me instead of laughing behind my back. Am I being too sensitive about this? Should I say something about it?

BTW: Sorry for any typos....still haven't slept yet. lol

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

I think she may be blowing smoke....up your you know what. I have a hard time believing a bunch of grown adults would repeatedly make fun over a new nurse mispronunciation of a docs name. Maybe a giggle... one time. Don't let her get to you, look her square in the eye, smile sweetly, and say thank you.

OH I just reread your post (I haven't been to bed yet either). A tech told you this? She's just ruffling your feathers. I still mispronounce things especially when tired and if someone corrects me I just laugh at myself;)

I know it's hard being new but don't let the vultures get to you! Smile and shrug it off.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.
...look her square in the eye, smile sweetly, and say thank you.

Exactly. Then walk away!

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Are you a new nurse, or just new to this floor?

If you are a new nurse, then understand that new nurses are going to be a bit over-sensitive for a while. Allow yourself this for the first year or so. It takes a while to build up a shield of confidence.

If you are an experienced nurse working in a new place, then don't say anything about it.

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Specializes in ER.

Look her square in the eyes and with a smile and in a sing-song voice say, "Thank you, Regina" (that is if her name is not Regina) and then laugh it off with her.

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Don't worry about it. I know that's easier said than done though... I've been a nurse for about a year now and have learned that nurses can be mean, sometimes. I too am trying to learn not to be so sensitive, but I think that it's something that will come with more experience. It'll happen eventually. In the meantime, don't beat yourself up over things. Just be nice to everyone (those who are nice to you & those who aren't... making enemies early on isn't good), remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes, and be glad that the mistakes you made were so small. :)

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That would just make me start mispronouncing things in her presence all the more....but I'm a jerk like that.

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Unfortunately there is always going to be someone who likes to inflate their ego by demeaning others in public. Not that you shouldn't let it bother you because then you would be insensitive like her, but just take pride in yourself knowing you would never treat anyone that way. I have made some blunders and have found it helps to laugh them off (and never repeat them)! Gravitate toward the more compassionate coworkers, they will be a source of comfort and support.

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Take her to the side, thank her for the info, and remind her that it is professional to take people to the side and privately tell them things like this. Then let it go.

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Look her square in the eyes and with a smile and in a sing-song voice say, "Thank you, Regina" (that is if her name is not Regina) and then laugh it off with her.

This is also a good approach. Make her the butt of the humor. :lol2:

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Her correction doesn't have to be a slur against your character--unless you let it.

Of course, you're sensitive now because you don't yet feel secure in this new environment. Once you feel like you belong, you'll be able to separate the wheat (the good information) from the chaff (the not-so-great approach).

Then you can have the presence of mind to think of a snappy (not snippy) comeback. "Thanks, but if I stop butchering these words, what will the day shift do for entertainment?" A line like this delivered with a silly smile can defuse the situation and leave you looking serene and unruffled.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.
Her correction doesn't have to be a slur against your character--unless you let it.

Of course, you're sensitive now because you don't yet feel secure in this new environment. Once you feel like you belong, you'll be able to separate the wheat (the good information) from the chaff (the not-so-great approach).

Then you can have the presence of mind to think of a snappy (not snippy) comeback. "Thanks, but if I stop butchering these words, what will the day shift do for entertainment?" A line like this delivered with a silly smile can defuse the situation and leave you looking serene and unruffled.

I have used that line or something very similar in the past. It works like a charm. Everyone mispronounces or misspells words from time to time, so do not let it get to you. If the more experienced nurses are laughing about how you are pronouncing something it is most likely because they have made the same mistake or something similar in the past.

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