Being second guessed by long time nurse

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2004

It sounds to me like she is doing her job. I am not sure what the issue is here. As an RN she has the responibility of making sure that not only her work is completed but that every member of the team is getting the job done. I guess I am a little confused as to why you want to confront her?

hipab4hands · Jun 28, 2004

Is this the first time, you've worked with this particular Nurse? If so, she was most likely just making sure the needed documentation was done.

If you've worked with this same nurse before, then she took the wrong approach with you. She should have checked your charting first, before asking you if you had done (fill in the blank). If there was something that hadn't been done, then she should have talked to you about it.

It's very difficult working with new co-workers until you have the opportunity to see and observe their skills/knowledge. It sounds like this nurse wasn't familar with your work and was just being extra vigilant. Hopefully, as she gets to know you, she will relax and know that she can trust your work.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 28, 2004

Agree with the above. Remember, she is responsible for all that goes on, including what you do. Unless she is out and out rude to you, consider her position and try not to be offended. BEST WISHES, you are ALMOST THERE!!!!!

Chevelle · Jun 28, 2004

I also agree with the above mentioned. Since you are alomst done with school, you will soon someday find yourself in her shoes. How would you want the person to respond to you?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2004

Are you knew to this job? Has she not worked with you before? Agree that she's probably just getting a feel for you and seeing if she can trust you.

I certainly don't have time to hover over the CNAs every move. If she continues, then perhaps you need to have a gentle talk that she needs to delegate and back off. She might not know she's doing this.

Good luck!

Dixiedi · Jun 28, 2004

I am currently a nursing student entering my senior year of school. I work at a hospital in my home town. Over the weekend I was on a team with an RN on the 11-7 shift. She was watching me like a hawk and treating me like I don't know what I'm doing. I know that I'm a student and still learning but I have worked in the hospital setting for 2 years and as a CNA in LTC for 2 year. I feel confident in the aide role that I'm in. When I don't know someting, I ask for help. That how you learn. Once last rounds were done I was busy documenting my I&O's and she kept asking me if I had documented something. I know that it is her responsibility for things to be done correctly with our team of pts. I don't need her to hold my hand. While she was bugging me day shift was coming on so there was no where for me to go and tell her to get off my back. Now I wish I would have been more assertive so that it doesn't happen again. I might see her tonight when I get done working the 3-11 shift. Should I confront her or just let it go. I'll take any suggestions.

Just ignore her attitude, don't ingore her! Some nurses don't have enough self confidence in themselves to show it to others. She has the mistaken fear that if you make a boo boo she will loose her liscense. That just isn't so. If your assignment was within your scope at that facility then she doesn't have a thing to worry about but you will not convince her of that. Best to just do your job and keep it friendly with her. Never treat her the way she treats you, she may see that as insabordination (spelling???).

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Jun 29, 2004

When we had cna's in our unit we would all find ourselves doing just what this other nurse is doing. If her work wasn't done, then we couldn't leave until it was and we had signed it off. You both are in a tough position. Even when I float to other floors I find myself doing that as I am used to doing everything myself and not having to worry about what another person is doing. That is great that you feel confident, but you need to convey that to her by your work. Have you worked with her before? If not, maybe you could kind of mention it to another RN that you have and maybe she could say something to the other RN...I wouldn't come right out and confront her because remember, you still are working there and not only will it get you on her bad side, it may make you look bad to the rest of the staff. I am all for sticking up for yourself, but you need to first make sure she knows that you are okay with the tasks you have to do and are delegated to do :) Good Luck!

rnmi2004 · Jun 29, 2004

ITA that you are both in a tough position. She most likely doesn't realize the experience that you have, and she may have had some less-than-stellar students in the past.

Please look at this as a learning situation. Ask for feedback & receive her comments positively. You can learn something from every nurse! :)

BGSUstudent · Jun 29, 2004

To answer everyone who is wondering if I'm new to my job, I'm not. I have been in this position for over a year and have worked with this nurse about a dozen times. I've worked at this hospital for a little over 3 years. I must be doing something right thought since my boss has been having me orient new employees that were just hired. Like I stated previously I know that it is her responsibility for everything to be done for our pts. She is the only RN that I work with that treats me like I'm stupid. For example after report is done she insists on going over what is going on with all of our pts. i.e. their dx, if they have an IV, are on I&O, have a foley ect. I was sitting in report the whole time along with her, I know what is going on with my pts. and if I don't know I ask before heading out to the floor. I think it might just be the way she approaches me that bothers me. There have been other nurses (RN's and LPN's) who have had the same sort of issues with her and a couple left their jobs. I don't think she was totally the reason but had a role to play in it.

palesarah · Jun 29, 2004

perhaps she's not as confident in her role as you are in yours? it almost sounds, from your last post, as though she is trying to organize herself, which tasks she's doing and which are being delegated, and her shift in general by going over things verbally and checking in frequently. It may just be her way of making sure she does what she needs to do. If that's the case, it may be annoying to you but certainly not something that requires a confrontation. Sometimes you have to learn to just work around some people's idiosyncrasies.

Just my thoughts...

Dixiedi · Jun 30, 2004

To answer everyone who is wondering if I'm new to my job, I'm not. I have been in this position for over a year and have worked with this nurse about a dozen times. I've worked at this hospital for a little over 3 years. I must be doing something right thought since my boss has been having me orient new employees that were just hired. Like I stated previously I know that it is her responsibility for everything to be done for our pts. She is the only RN that I work with that treats me like I'm stupid. For example after report is done she insists on going over what is going on with all of our pts. i.e. their dx, if they have an IV, are on I&O, have a foley ect. I was sitting in report the whole time along with her, I know what is going on with my pts. and if I don't know I ask before heading out to the floor. I think it might just be the way she approaches me that bothers me. There have been other nurses (RN's and LPN's) who have had the same sort of issues with her and a couple left their jobs. I don't think she was totally the reason but had a role to play in it.

Sounds like she has a chronic case of RNitis. Poor thing.