Coworker nurse trying to ruin my reputation...

[HM7380]

I've been a nurse for 5 years, and at my present facility for 2. I've come to find out in the last 2 weeks, that another nurse (same position as me - floor nurse) has been spreading lies about me throughout the facility, as well as to other nurses in the area. She is saying I'm 'on drugs' and 'stealing narcotics'. This is a SERIOUS allegation, and I am NOT!! She's basing her entire theory on the fact I give OUT more PRN meds than she does, but this is because I'm actually on the floor, interacting with the patients, who ask me for meds, whereas she sits behind the desk and ignores the call lights. She also used to be an ADON elsewhere, and has the mentality that getting other people in trouble makes HER look better, so she constantly does it.

What should I do? I'm terrified I'm going to be canned for something I haven't done. According to another nurse, shes already gone to the DON with these accusations a while back, but nobody in management has said anything to me. My 2 closest nurse friends have conflicting opinions over what I should do. One says to confront the girl with a witness, then let it blow over. The other says I should go to the DON/Administrator and make a huge deal over it. I'm uncomfortable with the latter, as the upper management and I don't really get along, and I don't want to bring up anything that would give them a reason to terminate me. (I work in a den of snakes. Seriously.)

Fiancee says quit immediately and find another job, because this one is so stressful on multiple levels, and I've been wanting to leave anyway.

Please help! My career/license is at stake here...

[apatt2]

And if it is meant for me to go back....God will reopen the door. Get out of there! These people that are exhibiting these psycho behaviors are sick and they need help. The nurse manager and

DON's are sick for letting this person get away with these behaviors! My prayer is for God to uncover all participating parties and execute His righteous judgements! These people are truly psychotic and crazy!

[HM7380]

I finally decided to quit and get another LTC job, which was just as horrible as the last place. I've decided to take a break from LTC and do Private Duty nursing (which not only pays $7-11/hr more, but is INFINITELY less stressful). I don't think I'll be going back to LTC any time soon... it seems the nurses who do that particular job are frequently angry, bitter and vicious. Life is too short to deal with lunatic co-workers. :-/

[lucinda1518]

First of all, talk to your Supervisor. You have to have some common sense here. Document everything. Look up your policies and procedures in human resources, and follow the guidelines. If you have any proof, and people who are willing to stand by whatever gossip they have shared with you, then arrange a meeting with your Supervisor and the person allegedly slandering you, and talk. And bear in mind you may be drug tested at any time. Good luck.

I agree with Sunny. Do go to your supervisor or HR. Tell them what is going on. This nurse may very well have a reputation for this kind of behavior, and they are just waiting to get the goods on her. Tell them who told you so they can interview them. This happened at my facility recently. It had been happening to others, but they would not come forward with details. The more they ignored her, the more she bullied. The gal who finally had enough said two words to myself, HR, and the administrator, "Hostile environment'. The bullying was substantiated and the bully was threatened with suspension and possible termination if it did not stop at once. It stopped....hostile environment is something administration never wants to hear.