Being bullied at work

vanilla bean · Apr 13, 2019

1 hour ago, Mariah2019 said:
I started this job a month ago and within the first week I realized most of the nurses are LPNs and very hostile and ghetto. I’m one of the few RNs on the floor and most of the LPNs are older. Most of the days I just do my work and clock out to avoid drama. Most of the nurses there are always on smoke breaks every 5 minutes or gossiping and being loud at the nurses station. They use profanity in front of residents. Anyways, this one nurse (who I think might be a narcissist or borderline personality disordered) has taken a dislike to me for no reason and the other day in front of the CNAs verbally attacked me. I held my own and defended myself and told the supervisor. The issue is no one in management cares and that LPN and the supervisor are buddy buddy and smoke together, so I don’t think anything will be done. I feel like most of the nurses there don’t like me and I think it has to do with my good work ethic. I have now developed anxiety when I’m about to go to work. The energy is so horrible in this facility, and I’m thinking about quitting because I feel like since they’re all friends they will bully me out eventually. What would you do?

What would I do? I'd find another job. If you exude even a fraction of the contempt for your coworkers you've shown here when you're with them, trying to establish any kind of functional relationship is going to be a steep uphill battle.

Emergent, RN · Apr 13, 2019

Doesn't sound like the classiest place, frankly. The old LPNs sound like they are jealous of you because you're young, pretty and an RN. AND, being ghetto, they all probably feel uncomfortable around such a classy lady. Add on their obvious mental health issues and there you have it; you're outnumbered...

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Apr 13, 2019

Honestly? Sounds like they hire from the bottom of the barrel and complaining to your manager is going to go nowhere because well, she hired them.

Just quit and move on. I normally don't advocate this...but you are never going to win with that bunch.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 13, 2019

3 hours ago, Mariah2019 said:
I started this job a month ago and within the first week I realized most of the nurses are LPNs and very hostile and ghetto. I’m one of the few RNs on the floor and most of the LPNs are older. Most of the days I just do my work and clock out to avoid drama. Most of the nurses there are always on smoke breaks every 5 minutes or gossiping and being loud at the nurses station. They use profanity in front of residents. Anyways, this one nurse (who I think might be a narcissist or borderline personality disordered) has taken a dislike to me for no reason and the other day in front of the CNAs verbally attacked me. I held my own and defended myself and told the supervisor. The issue is no one in management cares and that LPN and the supervisor are buddy buddy and smoke together, so I don’t think anything will be done. I feel like most of the nurses there don’t like me and I think it has to do with my good work ethic. I have now developed anxiety when I’m about to go to work. The energy is so horrible in this facility, and I’m thinking about quitting because I feel like since they’re all friends they will bully me out eventually. What would you do?

Sheesh. Generalize much?

It may be a quirk of mine, but I hate it when people use the term 'ghetto'. It is a stereotypical term meaning low-class. Some of your co-workers may indeed demonstrate poor behavior at work, and that's not OK, but you can be sure management is aware of it and they choose not to address it at this time. My advice: look for another job and quit this one, with proper notice of course. Your co-workers know how you feel about them and you're never going to win them over. That ship has already sailed.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2019

1 hour ago, Emergent said:
Doesn't sound like the classiest place, frankly. The old LPNs sound like they are jealous of you because you're young, pretty and an RN. AND, being ghetto, they all probably feel uncomfortable around such a classy lady. Add on their obvious mental health issues and there you have it; you're outnumbered...

Jealous and probably biter and need to retire too. ?

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 13, 2019

1 hour ago, Here.I.Stand said:
Jealous and probably biter and need to retire too. ?

You forgot crusty.

OP, reading your post here, I can definitely pick up on your attitude towards them. That means most likely they've picked up that attitude because it's probably just as open in person. Is it truly the workplace? Possible. However, if you have issues with most people working there, you may need to take a step back and see what you're bringing to the table as well.

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Apr 13, 2019

3 hours ago, VivaLasViejas said:
Sheesh. Generalize much?
It may be a quirk of mine, but I hate it when people use the term 'ghetto'. It is a stereotypical term meaning low-class. Some of your co-workers may indeed demonstrate poor behavior at work, and that's not OK, but you can be sure management is aware of it and they choose not to address it at this time. My advice: look for another job and quit this one, with proper notice of course. Your co-workers know how you feel about them and you're never going to win them over. That ship has already sailed.

I'll be honest...unless you have ever worked in an area where this is prevalent...you truly, would not understand. There is a mentality that comes with it along with poor work ethic, unprofessional behavior, and spend more time spreading gossip or bullying others than they do working on something productive. People like this don't belong in nursing...because you don't have to care to be a nurse. They also won't advocate for a patient and constantly look for how to do LESS rather than how to do MORE.

This translates to horrible patient care, high turnover, and they will push out anyone who isn't like them...because if you actually DO your work as a nurse--it makes them look bad. So they don't want any Suzie Sunshine's around.

You can come from a wealthy family--and still be low class where the "ghetto" title fits. It's not about socioeconomic status or before someone even says it...it's not about race either.

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Apr 13, 2019

1 hour ago, Rose_Queen said:
You forgot crusty.
OP, reading your post here, I can definitely pick up on your attitude towards them. That means most likely they've picked up that attitude because it's probably just as open in person. Is it truly the workplace? Possible. However, if you have issues with most people working there, you may need to take a step back and see what you're bringing to the table as well.

Ever considered that she feels that way because of the way she was treated as a new employee?

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · Apr 13, 2019

3 hours ago, VivaLasViejas said:
Sheesh. Generalize much?
It may be a quirk of mine, but I hate it when people use the term 'ghetto'. It is a stereotypical term meaning low-class. Some of your co-workers may indeed demonstrate poor behavior at work, and that's not OK, but you can be sure management is aware of it and they choose not to address it at this time. My advice: look for another job and quit this one, with proper notice of course. Your co-workers know how you feel about them and you're never going to win them over. That ship has already sailed.

You're not alone, that term bothers me too. I also feel spoiled for never having worked at a facility where staff was allowed to leave the unit for smoke breaks, I can't believe that's a thing in this day and age.

That aside, I agree that there's no benefit to staying at a job where poorly performing employees are supported by management.

falconersys · Apr 15, 2019

You're right, it must be everyone else being hostile... I'm positive this attitude doesn't come across to them at all.

HighHotandAlot · Apr 15, 2019

You are in a barrel of monkeys and your supervisor is the ring leader. Birds of a feather flock together and you need to open up the cage door and FLY!