Cra Cra co-workers

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

I know you have had them. Ones that drove you crazy, acted off kilter, and just made things either more interesting or more difficult. If you can write about them without IDing them, go ahead.

I had one several years ago....omg...I would get to work and had some time between duties. She had a different position, but she also had some seat time. I sat near her and she told me how her meds. weren't working and her whole personal history in a matter of just a couple work days. Then, at some point, I know she was gossiping how *I* was sitting and doing nothing but talking to HER. My mistake was I sat near her. I changed seats after that...to another sitting area all together.

[SierraBravo]

This is a great topic. I work with quite a few of them... Can't detail any of it for fear of them also being on this forum.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

I was working in the city and we had agency RN scheduled for 11P-7a. She came in around midnight tip toeing and carrying her shoes.

She said she had had a hard time finding the unit and she had been walking around the building but took off her shoes because she didn't want to wake anybody up. I said thank you but we're fine here, we don't need you tonight.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

Well, I was about three nights into my first nursing job when the charge nurse asked me very loudly in front of everyone if I used to be a cutter. I couldn't say no without looking nuts because my arms are clearly covered in self-inflicted scars. So I said yes but my scars were 10+ years old. I FELT crazy although in retrospect she was just being tacky.

[rowrowyourboat]

Well, I was about three nights into my first nursing job when the charge nurse asked me very loudly in front of everyone if I used to be a cutter. I couldn't say no without looking nuts because my arms are clearly covered in self-inflicted scars. So I said yes but my scars were 10+ years old. I FELT crazy although in retrospect she was just being tacky.

She was beyond rude. Sigh! some people are just beyond any help.

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

I was working in the city and we had agency RN scheduled for 11P-7a. She came in around midnight tip toeing and carrying her shoes.

She said she had had a hard time finding the unit and she had been walking around the building but took off her shoes because she didn't want to wake anybody up. I said thank you but we're fine here, we don't need you tonight.

bahaha Wonder where she was coming from!

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

Well, I was about three nights into my first nursing job when the charge nurse asked me very loudly in front of everyone if I used to be a cutter. I couldn't say no without looking nuts because my arms are clearly covered in self-inflicted scars. So I said yes but my scars were 10+ years old. I FELT crazy although in retrospect she was just being tacky.

Oh-- people like that. Some of the worst kind! How did you ever get along with her after that crap!?

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

(This topic just makes me laugh a lot) Worked with another that was really seriously out there. She looked at me like she could eat me up and then maybe pick me out of her teeth. Very devious expressions. I was, of course, the new person. I really fought to get the job and had a friend that helped get me in. However, I didn't know what lurked ahead. This woman was doing everything she could to get me to quit. I finally did. How does anyone work with someone that many cards short of a deck?...and mean to boot!

[nursingFTW]

Well, I was about three nights into my first nursing job when the charge nurse asked me very loudly in front of everyone if I used to be a cutter. I couldn't say no without looking nuts because my arms are clearly covered in self-inflicted scars. So I said yes but my scars were 10+ years old. I FELT crazy although in retrospect she was just being tacky.

Geeze, that's definitely rude on her part. If someone ever said some rude and obnoxious like that, I'd probably ask them "Were you good looking before?". Regardless what they answer, it's basically admitting they're ugly.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

Well, I was about three nights into my first nursing job when the charge nurse asked me very loudly in front of everyone if I used to be a cutter. I couldn't say no without looking nuts because my arms are clearly covered in self-inflicted scars. So I said yes but my scars were 10+ years old. I FELT crazy although in retrospect she was just being tacky.

I'm in a similar position. I've never had anyone put it to me like that. Most people will say and gesture to my arms and say "what happened here?"

I dont mind talking about it now, especially if it could help someone else. However i think if I encountered someone like your co worker, I'd come up with a really good lie such as being pushed through a window

[OCNRN63, RN]

Well, I was about three nights into my first nursing job when the charge nurse asked me very loudly in front of everyone if I used to be a cutter. I couldn't say no without looking nuts because my arms are clearly covered in self-inflicted scars. So I said yes but my scars were 10+ years old. I FELT crazy although in retrospect she was just being tacky.

I would have reported that to HR. Totally uncalled for.

[heron, ASN, RN]

One of the outstanding weird characters of my career was an agency RN assigned to my AIDS unit for the first time. She came with glowing reviews from my supervisors. It was night shift so it was just her and me with a census of 15, mixed chronic and acute.

I started out giving her a 30 - 40 minute report on patients, unit routine and her assignment. During the report, she kept interrupting to ask repeatedly whether she had to do vital signs, incontinent care, etc.

After report, I commenced my midnight med pass, during which I noticed that the vital sign equipment was still on the nurses' station counter. The temp was no-where to be found. The supervisor came down and found her standing in a corner of the solarium with the lights off. She sent the woman out to get started on the VS.

About 15 minutes after the supe left the floor, I had to call her back down, same problem. This time the temp was hiding behind the door of the conference room.

The third time she disappeared, she was found in the staff bathroom. She informed the supe that she was having diarrhea and had to go home.

We never found out what her issue was. It was the mid-nineties and many people were still terrified of people with AIDS. My theory is that the thought of actually having to give them direct hands-on care was just too much for her.

I worked that shift with a nurses' aid who was, thankfully, highly competent. Good times