Being bullied at work

[Mariah2019]

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?

[Rnhopeful23]

I personally hate the term "ghetto" as well *eye roll* but honestly speaking it doesn’t sound like you are being bullied, you had one altercation with one Lvn. It seems to me like you are displeased with your coworkers because of their lack of work ethic and professionalism and I’m sure they can pick up on the attitude you have towards them. id say just look for a new job that values “class” and professionalism just as you do. Your young (assuming) and an RN so you have your entire career ahead of you so you definitely are not stuck in that place.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Start looking for greener pastures. When you find one, get out of there.

Good luck.

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

I kind of agree with everyone here... not to be a people pleaser LOL. I agree it sounds like you are being bullied and since management is not concerned about it there is not much hope for improvement. Time to find a new job! I also agree the term ghetto has a lot of negative connotations about income, class, and even race... better to avoid using it in my opinion. Hoping no one calls me a snowflake or says I'm too PC but if it happens it happens! haha. good luck!

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

On 4/13/2019 at 11:52 AM, 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.

Why is it relevant that most of the nurses there are LPNs? Do you have a problem with that fact? I wondered because you grouped your descriptions together: "LPNs...hostile...ghetto." If you are in any way conveying to these nurses that you feel superior because you are a registered nurse, this could explain the hostility they are throwing your way. And I'm not even sure I want to know what you mean by "ghetto."

[Emergent, RN]

2 hours ago, Horseshoe said:

And I'm not even sure I want to know what you mean by "ghetto."

I think it means non-white and low class. If they were white, the correct term is 'trailer trash'.

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

..

[kyhoward1989]

On 4/13/2019 at 7:24 PM, LibraSunCNM said:

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.

You're offended by a phrase that can be defined in the context that the original poster used it in, inferior status.

As for the original poster, I'd just quit and find a new job. It sounds like a seriously toxic environment to work in.

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

13 minutes ago, kyhoward1989 said:

You're offended by a phrase that can be defined in the context that the original poster used it in, inferior status.

As for the original poster, I'd just quit and find a new job. It sounds like a seriously toxic environment to work in.

Correct. It implies poor people are sub-human.

[kyhoward1989]

10 minutes ago, LibraSunCNM said:

Correct. It implies poor people are sub-human.

She never implied that anybody was poor, she implied that they were ghetto. In the context she used it in, it transcends socioeconomic standings.

It's redundant either way, the moral of the story is if you feel as though the environment is toxic, I'd quit.

[Davey Do]

23 hours ago, HighHotandAlot said:

Birds of a feather flock together and...

...so will rats and swine. Every dog will have its day, and so will I have mine.

"You can't get someone into more trouble than they can get themselves into." -Edgar Cayce

When an artist paints a picture, the initial rough is merely a point of reference for the painted picture. Often times, portions of the rough are totally painted over, and the roughed-in lines are a far cry from the finished product.

Mariah, others have been allowed to see your rough work and have criticized your choice of words. In personal journaling, we are allowed to say whatever we want without fear of recrimination.

In asking what would I do, I would spew out my thoughts and feelings in a journal, write whatever you want, make it politically correct, and then post the edited version using euphemisms.

That way, members will focus on the problem, give solutions, and not want to attack your choice of words.

The best to you.

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

There must be something wrong with me.

Do nurses just come up and get in another nurse's face? How does anyone have time to pay attention to what someone else is doing? Nobody ever bothers me, they never did.

[inthecosmos, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

It sounds as though there is little control from either party in this scenario and you are both fighting for it. Since you cannot control the other party, you should look introspectively at yourself and what energy you're putting off. Additionally, I would highly recommend asking to shadow a day at the next employer, as it may save everyone time and energy. Finally, as Davey as eloquently stated, be cognizant of your audience and how you present yourself to others, as the point may be lost in translation.