co-worker making me crazy

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

My co-worker is driving me and everyone else crazy. She constantly has her nose in everyone's business, micro-manages the CNA's, gossips, talks to people she shouldn't about resident's and other work issues. On top of that, she can't remember how to do any of the paperwork, she lies about her background and education- giving herself more credit than she deserves. Constant interruptions to ask me things she should know. No one wants to work with her and all the other nurses ask me how can I stand it. Soooo annoying. I'm thinking of changing floors, but I love where I am. Any other ideas? Oh, and she's friends with the DON! :hdvwl:

[caliotter3]

You said it all when you said she is friends with the DON. You have to learn to put up with it or transfer. Chances of her stepping on it in time to get relief from her are slim. I knew one like this. She stepped on it and her friend the DON fired her just like that. You should be so lucky.

[TakeOne]

You said it all when you said she is friends with the DON. You have to learn to put up with it or transfer. Chances of her stepping on it in time to get relief from her are slim. I knew one like this. She stepped on it and her friend the DON fired her just like that. You should be so lucky.

It's sad commentary on the state of the workplace, but your the "she is friends with the DON" sealed your fate as far as this nudgy coworker is concerned. Unless she does something that compromises the facility and can't be dismissed or explained away--or until she does something that compromises the DON directly--nothing will change.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

You sound like she's got you feeling frazzled and helpless. I'll offer some suggestions, maybe some will be useful. It's tough when one person disrupts a unit. Ever play chess? For every move there's a counter move. Treat your issues with this person that way. "Has he nose in everyone's business" gets the reply "this is personal an we shouldn't discuss it." Talks to people she shouldn't........ Discuss HIPPA with her. Micro-manages the CNA's, then anything done wrong comes back to her because of the way she tels the CNA's to do things, or just outright tell her the CNA's have functioning brains. If she's so busy with everybody Else's stuff, is she getting her work done? Maybe you should discuss with the DON taking her under your wing, teach and direct her to do her own work so she wont have time to bug others. Good luck, it'd be a shame to leave a job you like because of one distracting person.

[nurse nessie]

I'd be lucky if someone micromanaged my CNA ... she would actually be doing her work. I have a coworker who is like that, who IS the CNA talking about people's and patients' business. She is also BFFs with the nursing supervisor, CNO, and CEO. That's what happens when she's being friendly with everyone else while you're actually busy working.

[apoppyfield, BSN, RN]

I just had a thought that she may "say" she is friends with the DON in order to manipulate you. Most DONs are more impressed by competence and can see through someone who is a trouble-maker. One thing for sure, if you let her, she will use you to claw her way to the top... and then take full credit.

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

boy you guys have her pegged! thanks so much for understanding. just hearing your replies makes me feel like I'm not going insane!

[tralalaRN]

Boy oh boy, is this an issue - I've seen it several times now - reeaalllly bad situations with co-workers, but because they are friends with management, nothing is done, or worse, you are targeted as the incompetent one. Life can be made pretty miserable in these work situations. I have learned that the old adage "you can't be both a friend and boss" is very very true. When I see co-workers who are overly chummy with someone in management, this sets up a huge imbalance, especially if the co-worker has control issues. .and the boss' ear. . Life can be pretty miserable for the targeted nurse - not to say you've been targeted (yet). Sorry to say, but leaving may be your only option. You certainly are not going crazy.

[xcatltc]

Yes I understand, I have been a nurse for 14 years, Butwhere i am working now there is so much pettiness, backstabbing, co-workers going to D.O.N. and whispering anything they want to about anybody for any reason in her ear, and D.O.N listens, actually listens to this S--T, and believes it, and she doent even stop to THINK that these folks who come into her office have an agenda, and people have been getting into trouble, my self included. dont get me wrong I love my residents, and they are the focus, and they should be, and I work with a lot of really good co workers, in a really great facillty, and we are a good group of people, apparently being a good nurse and making residents happy is not enough for the DON, ADON or administrator they are real jerks by the way, they dont appreiciate anything we do, if fact exactly the opposite they say things like " let them work short." and "you can be replaced" to the cna's (great CNAs)I have been there for 6 1/2 years, and now looking elsewhere because administration doesnt give a flying about resident happiness just there own. I have seen 3 DONs, 2 ADONs, and 4 administrators and this current bunch is the worst. I cant wait to leave, but i will miss my lovely residents and great co-workers.

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

It stinks! And I just found out that she was fired from her last job for the same problems! Incompetence, poor managerial skills etc. I had heard that nursing was like this but never really believed it--I thought it would be all altruistic, and professional. Huge sigh.

[xcatltc]

Be very careful with info like that, Ive seen co workers get into a lot of trouble with info regarding other jobs, gossip. i wouldnt repeat that to anyone, most of the time its coworkers trying to stir things up, or they tell you stuff like that just to see what you do with the info, best thing to wait it out and just do your job, wait for it to blow over.or what i am doing seeking other employment. things could be a lot worse. repeating gossip can be very detremental to career, i just would not do it. and be the best nurse that you can be, i know it sounds funny, but thats where i find the altrusitic stuff, taking the best care of my patients that i can, doing the best i can, and leaving work knowing that i did eveything, and left nothing undone. but i am not perfect.

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

It's not gossip, it's a fact. Googled her and found a lawsuit she brought to the facility and she lost because the facility had so many write-ups on her. Not doing anything with the info, just very uncomfortable to know it.