Bossy/nosy co-workers

[RN1263]

I have a nurse co-worker that sits right next to me who is always looking over at my assignments, admission pkts, etc. Comparing them to hers- patients severity, locations, you name it! And wanting to switch patients with me. She complains if she has to drive farther then me, doesn't have as many hours as me (we're paid hourly). I've told her she could talk to DON if she really thought something should be switched and she usually drops it. Well, I've put up with that and her listening in on my phone calls to patients and making her little comments.

On top of that, I was asked 3 wks ago by the company to become the admissions nurse, although I won't be the only nurse performing admits. I made the grave mistake of telling this nurse I was asked to take this position and since then she has asked me 3-4 times if I took the job. I repeatedly have told her that yes I did, but again yesterday she asked me again.

I think she wanted the position to be honest, because she said how great that would look on a resume, then told me how an admit that I did 3 days prior needed PT that I didn't order, that I needed to fill out a HCA plan of care so she could have an aide, call meals on wheels, asked me if I watched her ambulate, etc. I said, of course I watched her ambulate- she was slow, but steady with cane when I saw her. I told this nurse that I recommended PT for weakness, but patient flat out refused. Patient stated she lives with spouse and adult DTR- didn't need HCA and would refuse if I gave her one, then went on to say that her DTR and spouse provide her meals.

Anyways, this nurse said she called DON after seeing this patient and told her I didn't order PT on a patient that was clearly unsteady, needed a HCA and was willing to have one (WHAT???), and needed meals on wheels because spouse could only make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

I feel like this nurse stabbed me in the back, threw me under the bus and is trying to discredit me, she could have called "me" to ask what happened during admit and tell me about any current changes with patients decisions or condition, instead of calling the DON. Then she said, "well are you going to write the HCA plan and call MOW for the patient?" I said, sure as soon as DON asks me to! That ticked her off, but SHE is not my boss and SHE chose to go through the DON, so I figure I will go through the DON as well, instead of talking to her about it or taking orders from her. Anyways, my admit narrative states that's patient refused PT/ HCA and that she stated spouse/dtr would provide for ADL/IADL assist, re: bathing/meals.

Anyways, I'm just complaining, but I really don't know what her intentions are and feel like I'm sitting next to the enemy!

[caliotter3]

I think you know her intentions. They are to discredit you. Just continue to politely refer her to her own work. I would also have a talk with the DON myself, about her annoying back biting.

[berube]

i also do the majority of admissions,,,sometimes you just can't convince the patient that they need PT etc...and they flately refuse,,,and then later change their minds, what i do (and you probably did this) is document in several places in the oasis that the pt refused PT or whatever else they refused....then when i call report to the case manager i tell them the same thing. if the patient later decides they want PT, aide or whatever it is not your responsibilty to write out the careplan or make the phone calls, your job ended with the soc and the report off to the case manager. she is just envious that you are the "admission" nurse. she probably didn't even want the position, just is not a happy person.

[tablefor9, RN]

Honey, check the size of the footprint on your back, and you'll know her intentions. Maybe not her motives, but her intentions.

Document and cover yourself, and if you have to pull out your initial oasis to deal with any fall out, well, who is going to look like the idiot? Let her hang herself.

[RN1263]

Yeah, I do know her intentions....and they're not good. I thought we were friends (or friendly), but guess not. I did document everything in my narrative and throughout the oasis, then she wrote a narrative with her visit note 3 days later that contradicted my admission and called the DON......BUT the DON never said a word to me about it, so I consider it a closed issue at this time. But I guarantee this employee who started it all will keep asking me ..."did you call meals on wheels?"..."did you write the HCA plan?"....she just can't mind her own business and wants to get under my skin!

Thanks to all who commented:D

[caliotter3]

Be careful about considering it a closed issue because the DON has not said anything. You do not want undiscussed negatives to come back and bite you on the butt come performance eval time. Best to pick an agreeable time and touch base with her to insure she is ok with your handling of things. Then cover yourself by writing a memorandum for record of your discussion with the DON. This way you have covered your assets both verbally, and in writing, and you will have overcome the backstabber's efforts. Best wishes.

[RN1263]

Be careful about considering it a closed issue because the DON has not said anything. You do not want undiscussed negatives to come back and bite you on the butt come performance eval time. Best to pick an agreeable time and touch base with her to insure she is ok with your handling of things. Then cover yourself by writing a memorandum for record of your discussion with the DON. This way you have covered your assets both verbally, and in writing, and you will have overcome the backstabber's efforts. Best wishes.

You're right. Although I said I considered it a closed issue, I keep think about it and how it can come back to haunt me and/or what she (the backstabber) may do next to sabotage me. If she continues to back-stab me and I don't address it with the DON now, then she will be building a case behind my back that I am incompetent for the admissions nurse position (which I am not incompetent). So, I will take your advice and speak to the DON.

Thank You

[RN1263]

I called the DON since we're both on call....The backstabber never even said a word to her! My co-worker was blowing a lot of hot air, I'm so glad I brought this to the DON's attention. DON's going to have a talk with my nosy/bossy co-worker and tell her to mind her own business and stop the back biting!

Thanks for the replies