Anyone have one of these??!??

Published

Specializes in Almost everywhere.

I work in Med/Surg and we are in a constant state of flux...pts and nurses both with high turn over...pretty much like many of the M/S units on the planet,anyway...

I work with a RN that scares the wee-wee out of me. She is like a time bomb waiting to off any second. I'm thinking it 50% floor stress and 50% her personality. Every time I work with her, I can ensure that there will be a huge drama sometime during the shift that she will be directly involved in. If it's not with a patient, it's with the pt's family, a doctor or most often another coworker. I personally try to stay out of the line of fire. If you wind up on her poop list...you can guarantee being written up for something even if it is sheer pettiness. She can be very threatening and others have said that if I valued the tires on my vehicle, not to cross her!!! What the hey????? She has to constantly remind others that she IS a GOOD nurse especially when she has made some sort of a judgement call. Management does little to calm her because she threatens them as well. IF they dare do anything to her...she WILL SUE the entire hospital.

Can someone tell me how to play nice with this person???? It makes it harder and harder to go to work knowing that I may be the one who lights the fuse!!! :uhoh3:

Beary

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Don't cross her. This is a dangerous person. Keep a paper trail with witnesses.

I'd think about taking some kind of legal action like a restraining order. I had an "in" with the cops as my BIL was one.

Iwill follow this as I used to work with one of these drama queens too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

documentation is your best friend. Get legal advice if you feel threatened. Talk to risk management.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Almost everywhere.
Don't cross her. This is a dangerous person. Keep a paper trail with witnesses.

I'd think about taking some kind of legal action like a restraining order. I had an "in" with the cops as my BIL was one.

Iwill follow this as I used to work with one of these drama queens too.

Thanks for the response!

Believe me, I stay as far away as possible. It isn't always easy because if she is covering my IV's, I am forced to speak to her. I do my best to avoid being involved in any of the dramas. One morning before report I said something to cross her though, and needless to say, she went out of her way to make my shift a living he---you know what! I ignored her because frankly, I didn't know what exactly I said as I had about an hour and a half sleep the night before and I remember saying good morning...but this can even set her off. It was when her behavior began affecting the patients that I said something. She was rather short with an elderly women pt and made the pt cry. I finally said to her 1:1 "What have I done to you?" She didn't have much to say and we dropped it. Of course I was then worried about being written up (for what exactly, I don't know) and I was worried about my car even though it looks like a potato on wheels. :mad:

But I know you see where I'm coming from and I just cannot fathom why this has to be.

Beary

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ultrasound guided peripheral IV's..

Beary,

This doesn't have to be this way, but it is because people have let it be this way, and "she" is getting just what she wants. Control! She has everyone scared to death to cross her for fear of retaleation, so she can do what ever she wants to, and say what ever she wants to.

Until such a time that either one very strong person, or a group stand up to her she will continue to be the way she is, and make everybodies life miserable.

As has been said in other posts, document all that happens with your involvement with her so if she does start screaming law suite you have back up. Basically, CYA to the hilt!

Take Care,

Dan

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Almost everywhere.
documentation is your best friend. Get legal advice if you feel threatened. Talk to risk management.

Thanks Purple!

I'm feeling like I really need to have a little journal of some sort...glad to see others feel the same!

Beary

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I work in Med/Surg and we are in a constant state of flux...pts and nurses both with high turn over...pretty much like many of the M/S units on the planet,anyway...

I work with a RN that scares the wee-wee out of me. She is like a time bomb waiting to off any second. I'm thinking it 50% floor stress and 50% her personality. Every time I work with her, I can ensure that there will be a huge drama sometime during the shift that she will be directly involved in. If it's not with a patient, it's with the pt's family, a doctor or most often another coworker. I personally try to stay out of the line of fire. If you wind up on her poop list...you can guarantee being written up for something even if it is sheer pettiness. She can be very threatening and others have said that if I valued the tires on my vehicle, not to cross her!!! What the hey????? She has to constantly remind others that she IS a GOOD nurse especially when she has made some sort of a judgement call. Management does little to calm her because she threatens them as well. IF they dare do anything to her...she WILL SUE the entire hospital.

Can someone tell me how to play nice with this person???? It makes it harder and harder to go to work knowing that I may be the one who lights the fuse!!! :uhoh3:

Beary

Most bullies, when confronted, back down.

Time to call her bluff.

Tell her YOU aren't gonna be treated like dirt by her anymore.

And I'd tell her just before report when eveyone else is in the room.

And if she'd like to sue you'll meet her in court.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Almost everywhere.
Beary,

This doesn't have to be this way, but it is because people have let it be this way, and "she" is getting just what she wants. Control! She has everyone scared to death to cross her for fear of retaleation, so she can do what ever she wants to, and say what ever she wants to.

Until such a time that either one very strong person, or a group stand up to her she will continue to be the way she is, and make everybodies life miserable.

As has been said in other posts, document all that happens with your involvement with her so if she does start screaming law suite you have back up. Basically, CYA to the hilt!

Take Care,

Dan

Hi Danfif!

Control is what it is all about and you hit the nail on the head with that one! It will continue until I/we commit to non-tolerance!!! I have been a nurse for many years and have worked with all kinds of people, this one takes the cake! She does have her occasional nice side but then...watch out! I like the CYA recommendation, like I mentioned, I really need a journal! Thanks for the insight!

Beary

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Almost everywhere.
Most bullies, when confronted, back down.

Time to call her bluff.

Tell her YOU aren't gonna be treated like dirt by her anymore.

And I'd tell her just before report when eveyone else is in the room.

And if she'd like to sue you'll meet her in court.

NephroBSN,

Awesome! It really ticked me off when she made that lady pt cry and when I finally said "what have I done?"...she didn't have a lot to say. I worried like crazy about the aftermath but nothing came of it and sometimes I wonder too if that also isn't a bunch of drama. Thanks for the advice! I think there is a way to be professional and tactful about it and really it is like being bullied.

Take care!

Beary

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Most bullies, when confronted, back down.

Time to call her bluff.

Tell her YOU aren't gonna be treated like dirt by her anymore.

And I'd tell her just before report when eveyone else is in the room.

And if she'd like to sue you'll meet her in court.

:yeahthat: :yeahthat: GIDDY-UP!! :yeahthat: :yeahthat:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think people like her usually start building up to a frenzy from the moment they walk in the building-probably because they do not want to be there.

Whatever her first small insult/injury is don't take it- just give it right back. right away she will get the message that you are not going to put up with her and this will help not let her escalate out of control.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

Sadly I have been there too. What I did was out of pure despiration for myself and my sanity!

I wrote a letter to my management team (nursing management for the entire hospital), stating the situation and that I would like to have the best possible chance of making this situation a good one, and being able to be a team player with all members of staff...(I used lots of key words like teamwork, continuity, and quoted areas of the mission statement too!). After I was all done with my half kiss bottom, half explanation statement...I put wayyyy at the bottom my CC (carbon copy) references! I had one to the nursing manager of my floor, one to the head of the department, one to the head of the hospital staff (the biggest wig I could find)...

Seeing those CC's definately got the ball rolling! And she and I wound up in a room together to talk out our differences (which was much more terrifying than the letter believe me!). It all wound up wonderfully...and after so very defensive moments with a moderator with us...we hashed out the probelms and turned into the best nursing team together!

May not be what you want, but that was my experience after talking to so many professionals about the probelm (work professionals...MD's, Lawyers...that I knew). That seemed to be the most documented and well done idea of the lot...(and I documented everything on my own!). Lucky for me it worked and I wound up being appreciated by that one staff member and certainly the management team!

BTW...I am agency for one hospital...if I ticked them off I would be done there..they wouldn't let me work! Now...I have more days than I can deal with!

You can also contact the state board (hello, harassment or a hostile workplace!) or your state labor bureau if you so wish!

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion