Charge nurse unprofessionalism

[metalmom]

I have 2 charge nurses. One is very professional, helpful and patient, with a great sense of humor. The other is arrogant, not helpful and condescending at times. I hear her whispering to a couple of our peers (also unprofessional) about others every day she works and is in charge and some of my coworkers have told me that if she is out to get you, she will. This is my first RN job and, as much as I enjoy the work, I can't take her and her band of gossipy, busy buddies. If there is an issue with a particular nurse, she and her cohorts (my peers) stand around and gossip about it instead of her taking the nurse aside, alone, and getting to the heart of the matter. they all act like they are better than everyone ewlse yet it is so obvious they have serious self esteem issues. She is also very power trippy and I ,as a new nurse, walk on eggshells when she is there. Why does she feel that she has to be out to get people? I'm seriously thinking about leaving after the next six months when my contract is up. I drive in traffic to get to this hospital which is over 30 So Cal miles from home.

I'm wondering if there is another way of handling this situation before I go off and tell someone how I feel. Everytime I hear them whispering, I want to just go off but I just suck it up and go about my business.

[caliotter3]

Do you feel comfortable enough to speak to your supervisor about this? After all, you have a right to seek assistance from mgrs too. If you have a strategy to deal with this, you will not be able to effect change by yourself. It involves too many people and is too entrenched a behavior pattern. You might have to settle for figuring out how not to get an ulcer over it; as long as they are not endangering pts.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

I have 2 charge nurses. One is very professional, helpful and patient, with a great sense of humor. The other is arrogant, not helpful and condescending at times. I hear her whispering to a couple of our peers (also unprofessional) about others every day she works and is in charge and some of my coworkers have told me that if she is out to get you, she will. This is my first RN job and, as much as I enjoy the work, I can't take her and her band of gossipy, busy buddies. If there is an issue with a particular nurse, she and her cohorts (my peers) stand around and gossip about it instead of her taking the nurse aside, alone, and getting to the heart of the matter. they all act like they are better than everyone ewlse yet it is so obvious they have serious self esteem issues.

I would be surprised if the nurse manager knows nothing about this.

If she does- she needs to be actively dealing with it. I do not agree that you have to accommodate this kind of treatment.

From the sounds of it, this behavior is being tolerated. If so, you may be working in a unit where poor performance is tolerated- or worse, rewarded.

Your choice then is whether you choose to stay in such a place.

Good luck

[llg, PhD, RN]

Wherever you go (and whatever career you choose), there will be people whose behavior annoys you. What you need to do is to decide whether or not these folks are actually a real threat to you ... or a threat to the patients ... or truly worth sacrificing your job for ... etc. or whether they are just unprofessional and bothersome. If there is a serious problem, then you will either have to address it with someone in your work environment you can trust or resign. But I would do so only if it were a real threat to me. If not, I would just learn to not get so emotionally involved in other people's gossip and bad attitudes. They are not worth it.

[metalmom]

The problem that I have is that other nurses have told me that if she's out to get you, she will. Whenever I ask a question, she responds to me in a superior, patronizing tone. I'm not stupid, nor am I not an adult. I'm a new nurse that's all, with the capability to learn new things and excel. I feel very uncomfortable there. I have 7 months to fulfill my contract or pay the hospital back thousands of dollars. Totally unfair. I'm of the understanding that our nurse manager just loves her. Obviously doesnt know what she is all about. Anyhow, I refuse to lose my license over someone so insecure that she feels the need to get people. I don't know what to do. This is why I have worked registries for almost 20 years as a Psych Tech. Don't need a fan base at work. I have a life outside of my job.

[caliotter3]

Everything that llg said is true and applicable. Unfortunately, if it is true that she is the apple's eye of your nurse manager, then you have two choices: figure out how to deal with the situation, at least until your obligation is fulfilled, or cut and run. My take on this: Why would you let her cause you a debt and put a black mark on your work history so easily? Just go in and do your job to the best of your ability. You have been warned, (at least give your co-workers credit for that; it doesn't always happen), so NEVER present your back to her. Just do your job and avoid her. This scenario is possible in any workplace, if you always let it get the best of you, you will find yourself sitting at home with no livelihood.