I'm not sure if this belongs under the Bullying category, but I am starting to feel bullied. I
t all started when I informed the director of our unit the reason for the delays in getting patients admitted from the psych ER to our inpatient unit was because the patient assessments had not been done earlier while the patients were waiting for available beds, some 12 or more hours previously.
I did not seek out the director and say, "hey look, So-and-So wasn't doing their job for the previous 5 hours before I came to work". However, this nurse was spoken to about the delays. This nurse now believes that I "tattle-tailed" on her and has demanded an apology!
I do not feel I owe her any apology and have told her so. I have also told her that I did not seek out to get her in any trouble, just stated the facts of our delay in treating patients.
Since this time....over a month now....she refuses to talk to me except for the bare minimal required of us in order to do our work (it's a small admissions office). And she never lets an opportunity go by where she points out an error that I have made. I respond each time by saying, "Thank you for pointing that out to me!"
In addition, she will inform me when I come in for my shift that all assessments were done, will roll her eyes at me, and state "so there's no reason to tell on me!" I ignore these remarks.
I do not wish to escalate this drama any further. I think the whole thing is so juvenile. My purpose in posting about this incident is to gain feedback. Thanks.
That's not bullying, that's the consequence of reporting someone's work directly to their director and now she neither likes you nor will let any of your errors slide.
Give it time and keep your ship straight.
Please. Sounds like the other nurse needs to keep her ship straight & start acting like an adult. Whether or not it's bullying...I don't give a flying flip. It's inappropriate regardless.
Childish? Yes. Bullying? Absolutely not. I'm beginning to think the word "bullying" is like the word "ironic". People use it all the time and RARELY use it properly.
Isn't it ironic how sensitive & easily offended bullies become when you say the word "bully" in their presence? Yes, "ironic" is used properly in this context.
I'm not remotely close to a bully (do I portray an online bully personality?) but it doesn't sound like bullying to me, or violence.
Confront her, ignore her and carry on, or go to your supervisor/HR. Do whatever you think is going to give you the outcome you think you can get.
My previous advice which included both the carry on MO or deal directly with intent to improve the working relationship comes from my successes in my working relationships. I am not of the type to work out non threatening issues in the supervisor's office but our individual perspectives of what is threatening varies. I deal with illness and death and sometimes tragedy, it takes a lot more than eye rolling and snark to work me up or affect my ability to work out issues. So that's where my advice stems from.
Specializes in Addictions/Mental Health, Telemetry.
Thank you to all who responded! Things are rolling right along, whether we speak or not! I have no intention of going to management because she's not being nice to me!! I just want to work to flow! It takes all types in nursing!
mariebailey, MSN, RN
948 Posts
Please. Sounds like the other nurse needs to keep her ship straight & start acting like an adult. Whether or not it's bullying...I don't give a flying flip. It's inappropriate regardless.