Dealing with a childish coworker?

[LPNewbie]

Hello everyone.

I work in a nursing home and really like it. Basically as you all know, us nurses are usually on a med cart which is fine. I work with another Med Tech and it's hell sometimes. He's a nice person but he has ADHD and forgets to take his medicine.

He thinks it's funny throw cups, scream, and sling his keys around to make as much noise as possible. Admittedly, I could write him up, but I know some of it is not in control. Has anyone dealt with an unruly coworker? How do you handle it?

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

He says sorry and then within a few minutes, he's pacing and groans like a child and says he can't sit still. You constantly have to entertain him or else he becomes disruptive

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

Throwing cups, screaming and making noise is "not conducive to the functioning of the unit". Refer to policy and procedures.

Seems like administration is not comprehending the issue.

What does Phil say when you tell him to knock it the **** off?

He says sorry and then within a few minutes, he's pacing and groans like a child and says he can't sit still. You constantly have to entertain him or else he becomes disruptive

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

Part of doing your job is behaving in a professional manner, so the idea that your management has their hands tied and must endure the bizarre behavior seems very strange to me.

If he makes it known he is not taking his meds, and can turn off the antisocial behavior at will when necessary then what is the "some of it is beyond his control" part?

This is true. I wonder if it's a cop out

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

What're the chances he thinks this is (somehow) flirting?

Nooo he made I clear that he enjoys being single. Not interested anyways

[caliotter3]

What are your prospects for a new job?

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

If he always behaves in a calm manner around patients then he is completely in control of himself. That includes when he's screaming and throwing things when he is around you. He's not a helpless victim of poor impulse control. If he was a helpless victim, he would sometimes lose it around patients as well. The fact that he doesn't, indicates that he's simply doing something he gets a kick out of doing, and in my opinion he's doing it because his supervisor and perhaps others as well, enable him by allowing the behavior.

If technically doing your job was genuinely the only requirement one could make of a professional, then all sorts of odd behaviors would be acceptable. That would mean as long as he passes the right meds to the right patient at the right time, he could for example get away with running around in his birthday suit, loudly reciting Mediaographic poems to the patients I guess However, I suspect even his supervisor would object to that scenario...

I have to wonder why your supervisor is okay with having one employee making other employees feel uncomfortable. Providing a work environment that's at a minimum free of fellow employees screaming and throwing things, seems like a very basic expectation to have of an employer.

The fact that your supervisor makes excuses for him and condones his obnoxious antics, in my opinion reflects poorly on your employer.

Personally, I wouldn't allow a coworker to behave this way around me. I realize that it's not easy for you since you don't seem to be getting any support from your supervisor, but if it were me, I could not not say anything to him when he started acting up. I completely lack both the will and ability to put up with such nonsense.

What a crummy situation, OP

Yeah I feel completely helpless. Our staffing is awful so I guess they don't have much wiggle room to fire him.ugghhh thanks for letting me vent

[TriciaJ, RN]

A coworker who has to be entertained while on the job? Oh, hell no. And your workplace is so poorly staffed they think they have to put up with shenanigans. Yes, I'd start looking for the exits.

[AutumnApple]

Hello everyone.

I work in a nursing home and really like it. Basically as you all know, us nurses are usually on a med cart which is fine. I work with another Med Tech and it's hell sometimes. He's a nice person but he has ADHD and forgets to take his medicine.

He thinks it's funny throw cups, scream, and sling his keys around to make as much noise as possible. Admittedly, I could write him up, but I know some of it is not in control. Has anyone dealt with an unruly coworker? How do you handle it?

Nurses are professionals. Professionals are expected to have a certain level of self control and to be able to suit their responses/actions to the situation and what it calls for (as opposed to whatever their mood is).

This person is not doing that.

It's no different than an alcoholic coming to work drunk. He has a problem, he's not taking care of it and the consequence of this is erratic behavior at work.

Sometimes as nurses, we have to put our hyper active desire to be *compassionate* on hold. While some may see this as a person with a problem who needs help, the reality is that he is bringing his problems with him to work and affecting the work environment. Boundaries are needed here, not compassion.

In your shoes, I'd let him know how far over the *boundaries* he's stepping and what they are. Once that is done, if the behavior continues, feel free to escalate it and involve management.

[caliotter3]

A coworker who has to be entertained while on the job? Oh, hell no. And your workplace is so poorly staffed they think they have to put up with shenanigans. Yes, I'd start looking for the exits.

I have noticed that when an employer coddles certain employees, who, shall we say, leave plenty to be desired, it is only a matter of time before a bystander employee suffers, one way or another. When I notice a certain level of simmering toxicity, I start telling myself that it is time to start thinking about self preservation.

[AutumnApple]

He says sorry and then within a few minutes, he's pacing and groans like a child and says he can't sit still. You constantly have to entertain him or else he becomes disruptive

And by falling for his "My behavior is your problem" tactics, you've become his enabler. Very hard to break that cycle once it starts. The sooner you do it, the easier it will be.

Be civil, not social.

When he comes to you looking to be entertained, be blunt and flat in your response. Let him know you are "Focusing on other things right now" and can't. Make that your response to his *seeking stimulation* ever time.

Even when you're not busy, keep the relation and all communication with him formal and professional. Don't waste words. Again, be civil but not social.

It's simple application of Pavlovian thinking. Once he realizes the stimulation he seeks isn't coming from you, he'll take his antics elsewhere.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

He says sorry and then within a few minutes, he's pacing and groans like a child and says he can't sit still. You constantly have to entertain him or else he becomes disruptive

At least we have a diagnosis, ADHD. The fact is you do not have time to handle Phil. Write him up each and every time he distracts you. Invite administration to drop in and watch the show. Agree with previous posters that, if administration persists in making you babysit, it's time to move on.

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

Hello everyone.

I work in a nursing home and really like it. Basically as you all know, us nurses are usually on a med cart which is fine. I work with another Med Tech and it's hell sometimes. He's a nice person but he has ADHD and forgets to take his medicine.

He thinks it's funny throw cups, scream, and sling his keys around to make as much noise as possible. Admittedly, I could write him up, but I know some of it is not in control. Has anyone dealt with an unruly coworker? How do you handle it?

ADHD or no, his behavior is risky, disruptive, unsafe and unacceptable. If he is that unreliable to take his own meds, he should not be passing medications to others. Report him immediately.