Bullied by preceptor!!

[BsnBull]

So, I've been precepting with this nurse for a few weeks, she's awesome. She's very patient and tells me my mistakes , mostly with charting because it's so redundant. Today she was ill, I was placed with her peer, a nurse with 10 yrs experience. She yelled at me in front of family'and and staff for every little thing. She would say " now you go back and chart this right now ", just go !! I've been a nurse for 2 years!! I couldn't believe I was so humiliated, how should I address this?? I'll be back with my preceptor my next scheduled shift, I was told that this lady's tone can be intimidating, but this was harsh. Not to mention I was taught a different way of things for the last few weeks. Thanks

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I can understand why you may not want to make any waves until you are safely through the orientation process, but IMO it's a moral imperative to take action to discourage such disrespectful behavior. There has been widespread acknowledgement of the very negative consequences of disruptive physicians, but 'disruptive peers' hasn't received the same amount of attention. Maybe because there is an underlying assumption that employee behavior is more easily corrected?

Take a look at the organization's employee guidelines &/or behavioral standards. I'll bet that there is something in there that prohibits this sort of nonsense. Then, follow up by reporting via the appropriate channels. Since the outburst was actually witnessed by patient/family, it should also warrant an incident report - because this is the method for reporting anything that could incur organizational liability. Don't let her get by with it.

[i'manurse?, BSN, RN]

I think you should let it go since it was just a visit

and she isn't your actual preceptor, now if she was,

that's when I would complain. That's my 2 cents. Good luck.

[caliotter3]

Weigh your options against the probability that you will have to encounter that person again and the amount of power they may or may not hold over you in the long run. It may just be better to have a word with your regular preceptor and let the matter drop.

[courage2care]

I agree with HouTx, bullying should not be ignored. Precepting is an opportunity to support and educate. It's a privilege that also has financial compensation behind it in most hospitals. If it were me, I would go through appropriate channels so she never gets the chance to bully anyone else. After all, it is in the best interest of the management as well to retain RNs that they spend so much to train. Bullying is a loss for everyone. It damages morale,accelerates employee burnout and also has been shown by repeated studies to significantly diminish safety at the bedside.

[BsnBull]

Thanks all for your comments! I did speak to my preceptor and was overheard by another nurse, she stated the nurse did the same to her !! So this is not unusual for this nurse. The next time that I saw her she spoke as if nothing happened. I'm going to make sure that I never precept withe her again that's for sure. My spirit was truly broken that day.