Any advice on how to handle........

If anybody had a hard and fast rule on how to handle this, you wouldn't find this behavior ocurring on such a wide scale.

Well...I was in a pretty toxic place for awhile. I quit. I found a better place to work and am much happier. I don't think there was anything I could do to make things better, unfortunately. When those toxic people are buddies with management, it makes sticking around pretty risky.

I am a male nurse and relatively exempt from this type of behavior. However, just in general and a few times early in my career i had to deal with such nurses. I have always found the answer to be confrontation. Many may not agree, but i always seemed to get results by calling them out for their behaviors, instead of keeping it bottled up inside. Once they see you have a backbone, they will leave you alone. Stand up for yourself not just against these schoolyard bullies, but against management whenever necessary as well. If you let anyone mistreat you once, then they will expect to get away with it from then on. So stop them the first time and watch your whole trip turn around! It really works! Good luck!

I am a male nurse as well and agree with showing backbone to a certain extent... Your cohorts will either respect you or hate you for it... Most likely they will respect you but I have seen it go both ways... The statement about toxicity is true as well... I have, time and time again seen employees who are "management buddies" get away with murder.... So often times, it is best to find another workplace where you are happy.... Most importantly, you need to find what works best for you!!!...as you age, you will really learn all your best adaptation techniques.... Good Luck...:up:

and sometimes non-verbal gestures work, too.

leslie

Rise above it, go in, do your job, enjoy it and go home and let them go to theres and there miserable little lives!

all of the above are good. If it were a problem with management or your employers, I would suggest more direct action, but since it sounds like your peers, I would suggest trying to let it go. This book is a collaboration by a Psychologist and the Dalai Lama over a number of years. He puts all of the points in a western laypersons frame of reference, making it perfect for the non Buddhist to understand. It is pretty darn good, and it is not "all mystical" and whatnot, if that makes it more palatable.

The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1573221112/ref=dp_olp_2

actually, I recommend it to anyone.

I recommend that you try to connect with these people on a personal level. When they gripe about workplace problems, try to find some common ground so you can join the banter. Don't act as if you disagree with them, even if you do. Laugh at their lame jokes. Silence and a detached air about you will come across as snooty often, and make them feel as if you are silently judging them.