Co- worker troubles

I am in an administrative nursing position at an assisted living. Recently, my boss fired a co-worker of mine because she was having documented performance issues. This co-worker has gone around telling everyone that she got fired because she and I don't get along. She and I get along when the discussion isn't about work, but I was very vocal to her and our boss about her not doing her job because it affected how I did mine. What should I say to the people that she has told this lie to? Should I ask my boss to address it in our next staff meeting? I feel so frustrated and angry that she is blaming me for something she did to herself.

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

Next year you may not even remember all the details. People can see through gossipers and complainers, just keep doing your job to the best of your ability~~odds are any one that knows you and knows the former employee already know the truth.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

She sounds very unprofessional. You should act professionally and not get caught up in this melodrama. In my opinion, you should just let the storm pass, they'll all be on to some new topic of discussion next month. If management tries to defend you, it will only prove to people that you are in bed with management and feed their paranoia and resentments.

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

Maintain your professionalism, if anyone makes a comment just state that there are obviously 2 sides to every story and it would be completely unprofessional of you to comment on the situation.

It's tough not being able to defend yourself but it is easy to make a situation like that a battle, your colleagues will respect the fact your not lowering yourself to the level of talking about another professional inappropriately

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i am in an administrative nursing position at an assisted living. recently, my boss fired a co-worker of mine because she was having documented performance issues. this co-worker has gone around telling everyone that she got fired because she and i don't get along. she and i get along when the discussion isn't about work, but i was very vocal to her and our boss about her not doing her job because it affected how i did mine. what should i say to the people that she has told this lie to? should i ask my boss to address it in our next staff meeting? i feel so frustrated and angry that she is blaming me for something she did to herself.

of course she's not going to say she was fired because she had performance issues -- she's going to blame it on somebody else. you're in an administrative position, so you're going to get blamed. half the people she talks to probably have noticed the same performance issues you did. because you're in an administrative position, it would be inappropriate for you to comment, and that's what you should tell anyone who asks you. as far as being frustrated and angry -- get over it. you're in an administrative position. it comes with the territory.

[michael79]

of course she's not going to say she was fired because she had performance issues -- she's going to blame it on somebody else. you're in an administrative position, so you're going to get blamed. half the people she talks to probably have noticed the same performance issues you did. because you're in an administrative position, it would be inappropriate for you to comment, and that's what you should tell anyone who asks you. as far as being frustrated and angry -- get over it. you're in an administrative position. it comes with the territory.

don't you think that 'get over it' is a little harsh. i think most people come to allnurses to get support from their peers; not told to 'get over it'. if you can't be supportive in your reply, it might be better if you didn't post.

[Straydandelion]

I would hope this forum is more about honest opinion and can see the admin position having to deal with difficult situations yet agree with all the above as far as keeping it all professional. Some things are better left to wind themselves down on their own. I would suggest seeing if that is the case in this instance, however if it lasts too long it may help to have an honest/professional talk with this person.The first issue you needed to discuss in order to make sure it didn't affect your job negatively, this instance however

...it is easy to make a situation like that a battle

and I feel anything further on your part would make it seem more a battle.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

don't you think that 'get over it' is a little harsh. i think most people come to allnurses to get support from their peers; not told to 'get over it'. if you can't be supportive in your reply, it might be better if you didn't post.[/quot

the op was asking for advice, and i don't think my advice was inappropriate. i'm sorry that you had a problem with it, but perhaps telling me not to post if you can't agree with my answer is somewhat inappropriate.

[michael79]

I don't believe I said not to post if I don't agree with you. I said your advice was HARSH. You can be supportive and still be considerate. 'Get over it' is inappropriate and honestly...just rude. But thank you for the good advice prior to that comment.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Peace people, you know the written word sometimes sounds harsher than the poster meant it to be.

[JBudd, MSN]

If anyone brings it up, I'd just say, "I don't have that kind of power, and I'm not going to be discussing this."

That tells people it isn't true, and keeps you from gossiping about administrative matters.