Backstabbing/Gossip in Nursing School

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Any advice how to deal with this? I feel like I am in highschool. It seems the more pressure that comes on, the worse it gets. I feel there is gossip behind your back all the time, even to the point to possibly talking crap about you to the clinical instructors etc.. So childish..I notice the targets are people who are more independent and maybe a bit more reserved. I don't get involved with the study groups (for exactly that reason and because it's not my study style) I am just trying to do my best and keep focused Any advice. I am close to approaching someone in the department about this, but I don't know if it would do any good.

I love that everyone is saying to rise above it. I have bigger fish to fry than to gossip and get wrapped up in drama. I smile at everyone, be as helpful as possible, and don't socialize very much at all. It seems to work for me, but everyone makes their own way.

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I would just ignore it. I am the same way, I don't socialize or participate in study groups. Thats not why I signed up for school, I signed up to be a nurse. I have noticed some people might say something about me, but I don't care, and you shouldn't either. Your instructors see you, and at my school they told us from the getgo that students who don't socialize etc. tend to do better and make it through. I do however have classmates who come to me to ask me for help, and I always help them. I just don't associate with anyone outside of school. Basically just let them do or say whatever, don't let it get to you. You are there doing what your supposed to, so don't mind them! :yeah:

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The world will NEVER be free of gossip and backstabbing as long as negative, pessimistic, jealous people exist. People who have no hobbies they will spend most of their time talking about others. Did you hear about her...OMG she asked a dumb question...she always asks questions...etc..

The best thing to do is just try to focus on what is important and stay as far as possible from those people that annoy you. I dislike few classmates because they act childish--it's like they are still in their childhood world..but I don't care it's their life that's how they are I just mind my own business and I don't say anything to offend anyone. I would say something in highschool..but I don't want anything to ruin my nursing career.

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Wow... i could have written this!!!

You know, the best thing you can do is pay them no mind and kick ass in your classes!!!

That's what i did/doing, and my gpa's a 3.9!! That's the best way to give them a big F-U! LOL

Don't forget why you're there... it's hard to focus sometimes, but keep your eye on the prize--- and i never do study groups... thats probably why my gpa is high :) I find that most of the people that do study groups (in my program) are looking to be in a clique because they don't have a backbone.

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Hi! I wish I could ask such advice before I started my NS. I ran into some mean girl at the beginning of the school, so sometimes I would just go home and cry 'cause I could not bear it anymore. Thanks God we are not interacting anymore and that taught a good lesson to be quiet about all your personal stuff and just be straight forward on learning new material. Good luck!

PS Right now I am socializing with 2-3 people to whom I can actually trust. Sometimes we study together for the tests. To everybody else in my class I just say "hi" and "bye"...:)

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i go through the exact same thing ...those replies really helped me

thank you:D

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I ignore all gossip, I hate talking crap about people. I greet everybody, even the ones I don't like. People gossip bc thats the only way for them to get attention.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Backstabbing/gossiping is a world-wide phenomenon. Trust me, it's not any different in school than in the 'real' working world, nursing or not.

Ignore it. You have bigger fish to fry (I hope...);)

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Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.
Any advice how to deal with this? I feel like I am in highschool. It seems the more pressure that comes on, the worse it gets. I feel there is gossip behind your back all the time, even to the point to possibly talking crap about you to the clinical instructors etc.. So childish..I notice the targets are people who are more independent and maybe a bit more reserved. I don't get involved with the study groups (for exactly that reason and because it's not my study style) I am just trying to do my best and keep focused Any advice. I am close to approaching someone in the department about this, but I don't know if it would do any good.

If people talk about you, and you are not around to hear it.....does it matter?

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Specializes in IMCU.
If people talk about you, and you are not around to hear it.....does it matter?

Yes I think it does matter. Gossip is a form of character assassination. It can very easily have an effect on opinions and opinions matter when you are a professional.

I would speak directly to the individual. If it is a group I would make sure to have the discussion one-on-one.

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I would go so far as to suggest writing out a short personal mission statement stating how you are going to carry yourself during nursing school. Include in it the mentalities you will strive to have, your role in gossip, and other things that are important to your well being and success. Throw in an inspirational sentence, then put it on your study room wall so you can refer to it often, and you are good to go.

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Yes I think it does matter. Gossip is a form of character assassination. It can very easily have an effect on opinions and opinions matter when you are a professional.

I would speak directly to the individual. If it is a group I would make sure to have the discussion one-on-one.

Quoted to emphasize how much I agree with this...:D

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