Bullied at work, and the DON won't do anything about it. (venting)

QB11, CNA · Oct 28, 2020

On 10/24/2020 at 6:13 AM, NewRN'16 said:

This is not an attention-seeking post, something I see a lot of people here accusing others of doing. I am not even asking for advice. Just venting.

I am ganged up against, by a certain background of staff (certain native country) who make up the majority of my workplace. I know it doesn't make any sense, why am I still there. I am there because I love my residents, my company as a whole.

I just wish there would be something they do about this bullying and retaliation (when they found out I c/o about it).

The DON makes me feel like I am the problem, by ignoring even my written statement. She actually gets mad at if I ever say anything about it!

I would get in detail, but I don't want even this innocent venting post to be used against me.

The co-workers in question speak creole around me, in front of me, in front of patients. They act aggressively. I understand basic French and I more or less understand what they're saying.

They ran so many nurses out of that place, I refuse to leave. Let them find a reason to fire me, they don't have one.

?

Keep on, keeping on. Like you said you refuse to leave. Eventually they will get tired, and find something else (it will get boring after awhile), however, as long as you keep going to the DON, the longer it will be, because to them it's a power thing. In the meantime keep doing what you are required to do and make sure you cross your T's & dot your I's , so no type of retaliation can come to you. Some DON'S would rather get rid of the innocent one, especially if you're the only one reporting. I wish you well. God bless?

Daisy4RN · Oct 28, 2020

On 10/25/2020 at 3:39 AM, VivaLasViejas said:

never did understand why the management and co-workers had problems with me---I worked hard, was friendly to everyone and did my best every day---

IMO, this is exactly why some people get fired. When one friendly hard working person messes with the lazy, don't need to worry about p/p or doing your best status quo people don't like it. Add to that the fact that a DON has either tried to deal with it, or just doesnt want to deal with it and you have a no win situation.

OP, I hope you take a good look at the situation, consider all your options, and do what is in your best interest. Some times these situations take care of themselves and sometimes they don't and can cause undue stress and consequences for your future (ie if they do fire you).

Best to you!

Daisy4RN · Oct 28, 2020

23 minutes ago, ppfd said:

Never love your job because your job won’t love you back.

Couldnt agree more!! Most companies have zero loyalty to an employee.

egg122 NP, MSN, APRN · Oct 28, 2020

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Not sure how you tie the bullying behavior together with not having legitimate licenses to practice. Are you implying that because they're not American-born that they obtained fraudulent credentials?

I think the schools being referred to are the ones that heavily advertise to Americans but cost as much as an American private medical school, like Ross or American University of the Caribbean.

Corey McGonigle, ADN, ASN · Oct 29, 2020

Go out of your way to be uncooperative. Don't be abusive. But refuse to do shift trades, work overtime, cover last minute sick calls, etc.

Refuse to take part in potlucks.

Then steal the food when no one is looking.

Kidnap their dogs and cats, then anonymously ransom them on facebook.

Figure out which ones are married to police officers.

Then when the cop husband shows up to visit them in the department, casually announce, "Oh, by the way, your boyfriend called. He says it's okay if you want to keep the baby."

Really get even. Vote for Trump/Pence and plaster their cars withTrump bumper stickers.

If all else fails, poison the water supply. At least you'll get some of them.

Workitinurfava, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2020

Unfortunately this is common in more than a few places. Before you know it you could end up always on the go due to this. Stay for as long as you need to and then plot your escape but give yourself the time to research a job that offers more positives than negatives.

RN2b3 · Oct 29, 2020

You either ignore them or leave. I give wrong information to people. It's fun when they employ it against me. ?

RN2b3 · Oct 29, 2020

Tell them you have a serial killer brother who just got out.

It worked a lot on people I don't want near me. ?

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2020

17 hours ago, ppfd said:

Never love your job because your job won’t love you back.

And then it goes and cheats on you as well...

14 hours ago, Corey McGonigle said:

Go out of your way to be uncooperative. Don't be abusive. But refuse to do shift trades, work overtime, cover last minute sick calls, etc.

Refuse to take part in potlucks.

Then steal the food when no one is looking.

Kidnap their dogs and cats, then anonymously ransom them on facebook.

Figure out which ones are married to police officers.

Then when the cop husband shows up to visit them in the department, casually announce, "Oh, by the way, your boyfriend called. He says it's okay if you want to keep the baby."

Really get even. Vote for Trump/Pence and plaster their cars withTrump bumper stickers.

If all else fails, poison the water supply. At least you'll get some of them.

Why go so easy on them?

sleepwalker, MSN, NP · Oct 29, 2020

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You don't initiate contact, have nothing interesting to say, do not hold up your end of a conversation well, give no opinions, give no information about your personal life, opinions or any details about yourself. When baited, you don't take the bait. Gray rock is the ultimate wet-blanket response.

so...basically...you turn yourself into management material

Stillcrazyafteralltheseyears · Oct 29, 2020

I worked in the same bullying environment u described. The unit manager all the way up to the heads of administration would condone the actions of a group of people because they were afraid of repercussions. Luckily we were always on video and audio. But even when a violation was clear cut for disciplinary action, nothing was done about it. When u work in psych u need your techs to be available esp when u are about to get assaulted by a patient. So I always brought food in. Cookies, pizza, starbucks etc. Oh yeah the grey rock attitude helped too. Alot of encouragement and thankfullness towards all staff helped. Security, housekeeping, dietary, social workers. Helped some days for keeping us safe. Some staff looked into hostile work environment laws but nobody seemed to win any settlement or their jobs back. Not all staff working in psych are well. Our psych physicians used to say that it is the hardest nursing to do. Good Luck! I am sure u make a huge difference in your psych patients lives.

**emergenceRN17, ASN, BSN, RN** · Oct 29, 2020

NewRN:

I have dealt with the exact same situation for the past 17 years. Same native Country. The first few years it really bothered me as I couldn't understand why I was the target? I do my work, keep to myself, and go home. The way I dealt with it (and still do) is kill them with kindness, don't give them the satisfaction of knowing it bothers me, and don't give a reason in my work for them to nitpick. In the end, it's not worth it... the only thing you can control is you. I hope it gets better for you. Best