Are You Popular At Work?

whoknows56 · May 25, 2009

I get along with everyone since I don't ***** about stuff. I've learned my lessons in past jobs. When I graduated high school, I got a job transporting patients....I was going to college at the same time. There was another co-worker that was a nursing student and we would often talk about topics related to human physiology and the life long "labor" workers hated us. They would talk behind my back, put Mediaography in my mail box (true story), and would write stuff on paper when nobody was around. I was as happy as heck when I moved away to finish my degree.

I'm so glad to work with "educated" people now.

diane227, LPN, RN · May 27, 2009

I do care because I am the charge nurse and I have to keep my head on my shoulders in order to do my work properly. I try to be fair with everyone and the people I don't like (there is no one that I dislike on a personal level) because their nursing care sucks, I just keep it between myself and my manager. I know that people like to work with me. They try to schedule their shifts when I am on and they tell me over and over that they like working with me.

PeachPie · May 28, 2009

I seem to be on pretty good terms on pretty much everyone with work, especially people who were in very strict disciplines like the military. I'm very objective and keep to myself most of the time, and very rarely talk about something non work related inside of work. I do say hello and ask how they're doing and thank them for a job well done. I've been told that I'm seen as quiet, serious, and that I try really hard. However, I don't care if they like me or not. I care about whether or not work can get done efficiently with them, whether or not they're civil, and whether or not they're mature enough to set aside differences and frivolous distractions for the objective we're hired to do.

I have made a few friends at work, but I'm reluctant to mix personal and work life. In fact, I didn't start getting close to one of my now dear friends until I left the job, as one of my coping methods for the stresses of floor nursing is almost complete dissociation of my two lives. That, and the fact that she accidentally let loose a story about my sex life to another coworker taught me that the two lives can affect each other. I forgave her immediately, but it taught me the risks involved with a dual life friendship.

However, I do think that I tend to win some major kudos from Nigerian, Filipino, and Kenyan nurses for knowing a few words in their languages (Igbo, Yoruba, Tagalog, Kiswahili). Even thought they're great beforehand, they get very surprised and seems to earn me some kind of... I dunno, respect? Rapport?

jlcole45 · May 28, 2009

Yes. I believe its because I am a hard worker, and because I have over 20 years of experience and because I am approachable and pleasant.

That said, I do not seek out to be popular or well liked by my co workers, as I am there to work and not to make friends.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · May 28, 2009

I'm generally well-liked at work. I try to have fun with my co-workers, I readily help out others when I can, I'm generally easy going at work, just eccentric enough to be amusing to be around. I get along with all the doctors as well. I periodically socialize with several co-workers and recently befriended one of the hospitalists as well.

I think we have a great group of people where I work. It really makes a difference to me personally to feel like I'm part of an accepting group. We don't ostracize people, everyone is included.

c_beshore_rn · Jun 29, 2009

People either like me or hate me. That has been my experience in life. Im loud, opinionated, and strong in personality. I love my patients and will bust ass for them at all times.

Nursing is like highschool. Well... most jobs are, especially with a bunch of women gaggled together. (that comments gonna get me yelled at!) I'm a woman, but it seems true. I'm 6'3 so I stand out. I flirt consistantly with the Drs and have a really good rapport with most of them. I snap at the bully nurses and stand up for the new guy or the nurse everyone has chosen to fail.

Some jobs I've had I could not survive the hatred or climate of negativity...I'm usually nauseatingly happy! I'm a sagatarius after all.

I cuss way too much and do so freely at work around coworkers (but not patients) when I shouldn't and I know it, its a habit I need to break! I get along SO well with the group I work with now...we are in-sinc. They are Christians (and Republicans) and I am not, but they are true Christians that do not judge my hedanism or peganism too harshly. We laugh, have fun, and to my knowlege, no one has back-stabbed me yet!! Fun is the name of the game!! If you can't have fun at work....why bother. There is a season for everything but fun is good.

I care very much what people think of me although I'm stubborn and not willing to change to conform to others expectations. I am what I am and if you like me great, if you don't your missin out!

pawsomepooch47 · Jun 29, 2009

I really don't care if I'm popular or not. Probably not too popular with the CNA's. I am a hard worker, not a desk ornament, and I don't like to gossip much, got better things to do with my time.

ChristyRN2009 · Jun 29, 2009

I didn't read all the posts but I guess it depends on your definition of popularity. I think people like me generally and find me a competent nurse. I know there are some who don't like my personality since I'm sarcastic and dry sometimes, but I think they generally like me. I don't know if I would say that is popular though. There's actually only a few nurses on our unit that I would consider popular, and the only reason why is because I never hear about them the negative back biting that I hear about everyone else.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2009

I think the nice, reasonable people like me. The ones that are caught up in high school behavior don't, because I won't play their little game. I don't participate in raking others over the coals and have actually spoken up when it happens in my presence..So I either have people that really like me or people who hate my guts, LOL.

But, I don't care. I made peace a long time ago with the fact that sometimes I don't fit into the OR personality mold. I have to be able to look at myself at the end of the day and know that I'm a not a huge D-bag! :coollook:

Mahage, LPN · Jun 29, 2009

Down here, we can say just about anything to anybody or about anybody, as long as we end it with "bless her heart..." Like:
"If it took her any longer to bathe a patient, she'd have to get a license for water therapy, bless her heart..."
"She's the worst nurse on the floor, and I wouldn't let her look after a dying cat, but she tries, bless her heart..."
"Dr. X thinks he's all that, but he couldn't diagnose a severed arm, he'd call it 'minor tissue damage', bless his heart."

Unfortunately it has been my experience that as a group we are more apt to say it about them than to their faces, "bless our collective hearts!"

Mahage

Vito Andolini · Oct 13, 2009

These are so interesting! Thanks to all for sharing.

Mahage, LPN · Oct 13, 2009

Hmmm popular??? No don't think I would be voted anything by anybody. I am the older lady who was crazy enough to go to nursing school in her 50's, who gets a bit nervous at times, is not as strong as some in pulling up patients, puts the patients needs first, works really well with families and dying patients and has a off beat sense of humor. I am a democrat in a red state and am always quick to help others and though pretty easy going I will tell you off if I need to.

I am not invited to go out for drinks or to eat with the generally younger set. I am not invited to get together with the few other gals close to my age, but I believe I am generally well liked by all but a couple of people on my unit. Unfortunately, one of them is one of my assistant nurse managers who is herself very "Popular!" I keep on truckin' and am working on my anxiety in crisis. I learn from every situation. The job I do and the person I am is what counts at the end of the day. I think I would really like working with someone like myself.

I am open to friendships on the job, but haven't developed a lot there though I am pretty close with a couple of folks. I have friends outside, so that is definitely not a priority for me.

Mahage