Anyone blow up at work?

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Last night I blew up for the first time in 3 years of being a nurse. It was at a CNA that gets on my last nerve. She would complain if I brought in $100 dollar bills and give them away. When I explained that a situation that happened was a misunderstanding and apologized if she was hurt, she continued on. I again apologized, explained what I was up to (trying to make sure everyone had a fair assigment), she continued on and on and on and on. I finally had it.

I did apologize, told them (another CNA and nurse was there) I was unprofessional and pretty much felt ****** the rest of the shift. As I sit here now, I feel so stupid that I allowed her to get to me so bad. I feel bad that I let out that display of emotion.

Anyone else done this? How did you fix it or can it be fixed?

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Ask for a meeting with the CNA and a manager and talk it out.

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Thanks Tazzi, we did "make up" at the end. But I still know I was very wrong for what I did. Unfortunately if I bring this before my nurse manager, my CNA will probably get in trouble. I may go talk to my nurse manager for some advice on how to be in charge and keep your cool. :)

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Specializes in NICU.

It happens. You've apologized, now move on :). Your co-workers that were there know both you the CNA and likely think nothing of it--after all, we're all human ;).

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Specializes in NICU.

One time I yelled at the secretary for turning the heat up in the nurses station. I was running around like crazy burning up and she was sitting there with the heat blaring. I don't remember what I said but it wasn't very nice. I later apologized and gave her a hug. She knew I was just stressed. She forgave me. I still feel bad about it though.

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kcochrane, I like how aware you are of your imperfections. All of our fellow men have imperfections but many refused to admit them. You apologized to the CNA, it would be normal to move on. However, if it makes you feel better you could be extra nice to someone today.

My other thought is for you to do something nice for yourself. You deserve it. All we can do is to try our best. Keep in touch and let me know how you made out.

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You apologized. And apologized and apologized. You did your part.

I did blow up at work once. A nurse had thrown away a narc and she ordered me to dig through all the trash in the nurses station and find it. I refused. I had 23 pts to take care of and she was reading the newspaper.

For that, I did not apologize.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Arguments will happen. We are with these people more than we are at home (where many of us would RATHER be, really). Sometimes, though, my philosophy is that you cannot speak to an animal such as an alligator in soothing words when it is about to bite your head off. You have to either clobber him upside the head to make him leave you alone (which is illegal),or you speak to the alligator in his native language (the animal that he is); he should comprehend that and get out of your way.

For the humans, kiss and make up. It ain't always gotta be that serious.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I shamefully admit to blowing up at a patient who was threatening to call the police department and the local newspaper on the facility due to a late fingerstick for blood glucose monitoring. I told her with a raised voice, "If you don't like this place, you are welcome to leave and receive your care elsewhere! Also, a late fingerstick is a very petty issue to a police officer!"

I know I should have handled her more courteously and professionally, but she got on every one of my nerves with her behavior.

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Thanks everyone. Getting this out and everyone's post really helped.

:)

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I blow up every once in a while when we're starting the shift with 13-15 patients a piece, 2-4 admits coming up, fresh surgeries to monitor, and the other CNA has called off. Usually, I try hard not to blow up at my co-workers, unless the nurses ask/tell me things to do for patients that A)they could have done themselves right there while they were in the room, or B)They're just charting, while I'm running around answering 5-6 call lights going off, or C) it's 3AM, and they could have asked me for that at 10PM.....I HATE waking patients up for petty things that should have been caught eariler in the shift.

I did once blow up at our unit secretary, as I was running around with 18 patients, we were out of the knee machines for fresh sx, I had 10 blood sugars to do, was trying to get 2 mins to have a drink, and when she asked me somthing I loudly said "NO, I'm in the middle of working here, and you're sitting in front of your computer playing $#%$%^#$% solitare!!! Why don't you answer a call light once in a while? If you can't help a patient, tell em why, and come find me, but I'm trying to see what all these patients want!!!!!"

I later apoligized (she was telling me that a machine was on the way from the supplier, be there at 3AM.)....she however wanted no part of my apology, and considered it a personal attack on her....She was 19, and not quite ready for "hospital world"...if you catch my drift.

Apoligize and move on, often we forget why we yell at each other by the end of the shift anyways...

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