Dealing with Gossip

[pppp87]

I've been a nurse for over 3 years. My current position is in a group home setting that is funded by the state. We have several different group homes with adults who have DD. My position before working here was on a step down floor, so total different ball game. It's been a somewhat difficult transition for me, because I'm used to "acting now", having the MD on standby for whatever I may need. I try not to abuse that principle and the MD actually encourages me to call about anything, even if it's just me not having a good feeling about the resident. I've worked in a nursing home before also, where we were able to act somewhat independently of the MD. If Johnny gets a scratch on his leg, and he's not allergic to ointment, it's 5 am in the morning, just apply some and follow up in the morning. My current job is state-funded and our DON is all about calling MD first for orders. I work on day shift so it's not a big issue.

So, my issue with this job is mainly the gossip. It is SO prevalent. To the point where people won't tell you to their face what they think or question your actions, but will raise all kind of hell behind your back and notify supervisors. Apparently, the new gossip about me is that I call the MD about everything and don't use nursing judgement to carry things out. This was told to a staff on my home and asked to be anonymously told to me. Smh. I've called the doctor 3 times last week, one was for hydrocortisone for a rash, one time for barrier cream for a stage 1 coccyx (we need MD order for any ointment). Last time was a call after a resident had seizure like activity, and threw up. He sat down, I checked his vitals and systolic was 82 in one arm and 84 in the other. I called the MD, who told me I needed to call an emergency call to our clinic nurse right away (meaning the clinic nurse will have to come out and assess and bring him back to the clinic for monitoring). I called the clinic nurse, who got upset because she had several other things going on. She said the staff needed to bring him. I told her staff is shorthanded right now and can't, but regardless MD requesting emergency call since he's hypotensive. All she focused in on was the fact that I said staff was shorthanded and can't, and got furious that they were being called out. This MD is known to always ask for residents to be seen in the clinic when you call about anything. But anyway, I guess word is getting around that I called an emergency call simply because the staff was shorthanded, which was not the case.

I usually don't care when people gossip but to attack my nursing judgement because I "call too much"? And then to not have the guts or ethical conscience to discuss it with me or at least my supervisor? I care immensely about my residents and try to act as if they were kids or grandparents. If my child gets a scratch on his leg, I want him on some Polysporin. Unfortunately as a nurse, I can't just apply it and run on about my day. I have to get a MD order to protect my license. And the MD I primarily work with has no problem with me calling. What if my resident has an allergic reaction and I've been applying ointment BID for a few days? I was off for 3 days and there were 3 new orders for my 10 residents when I came back (an antibiotic drop for redness to eye, ointment for hand peeling, oral antibiotics for superficial leg abrasion) so other nurses have been calling and advocating for "minor" things as well, which I see no issue with.

I'm going to talk to my supervisor later. But I just really hate that this place is full to the brim with gossip. It wouldn't matter if people actually directly called me out on whatever they thought was wrong, but behind the back insaneness is really annoying and frustrating. Any tips on how to deal with this?

[mluvsgnc]

Is it possible to get standing orders for some things, like antibiotic ointment? Especially if the pt. has received it in the past and there is no known allergic reaction.

As for the gossip, I would deal with it head on. If you know who is gossiping, confront the person(s). You can approach it like, "I have heard from people that you question my nursing judgment. I am open to feedback and would like to know how you think I should go about X?" Be aware of body language and tone- you don't want to make someone defensive, as that would defeat the purpose. If you are adhering to facility policy, that person won't likely have much to say, but at least you've called them out and they might be less likely to gossip behind your back in the future.

Also, can the nurse manager (or whoever's in charge), call a meeting to talk about open communication techniques and discourage gossip? Maybe if it's coming from the higher ups it could help induce change? Sometimes, though, the culture of a place is too rampant with this kind of stuff for any real change to happen. You could always start looking for another job with a less toxic environment, and in the meantime, keep being professional and not participate in the gossip.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

unless your facility puts a stop to this it will destroy morale. Our code of conduct prohibitis gossip and people can be, and have been, fired over it. Otherwise, I wold bring to the DON the need to have both parties in the room together to clear the air.

[SmilingBluEyes]

It's everywhere. Confront if you must, ignore is a must. Seriously. Do not let it get to you. I am so sorry this is happening. As long as you know you are doing the right things; keep pressing on.

[SmilingBluEyes]

ALSO if it is harming your morale, you can always discuss with the manager and it may be a "hostile work environment" which is a hot topic these days. MOST workplaces and managers will do ANYTHING to stop such conditions, knowing so many people can "lawyer up" and sue.

[pppp87]

Is it possible to get standing orders for some things, like antibiotic ointment? Especially if the pt. has received it in the past and there is no known allergic reaction.

As for the gossip, I would deal with it head on. If you know who is gossiping, confront the person(s). You can approach it like, "I have heard from people that you question my nursing judgment. I am open to feedback and would like to know how you think I should go about X?" Be aware of body language and tone- you don't want to make someone defenrsive, as that would defeat the purpose. If you are adhering to facility policy, that person won't likely have much to say, but at least you've called them out and they might be less likely to gossip behind your back in the future.

Also, can the nurse manager (or whoever's in charge), call a meeting to talk about open communication techniques and discourage gossip? Maybe if it's coming from the higher ups it could help induce change? Sometimes, though, the culture of a place is too rampant with this kind of stuff for any real change to happen. You could always start looking for another job with a less toxic environment, and in the meantime, keep being professional and not participate in the gossip.

No the only prns we have our emergency seizure meds. The MDs are to prescribe orders very cautiously and specific to each resident since most are geriatric and all our developmentally disabled. The doctors have not complained at all and encourage me to call with any issues.

I spoke with my supervisor and the clinic nurse from last week. They both assured me that nothing I did was wrong, and that it was the doctors decision to make it an emergency call. My supervisor told me to do whatever I need to do to maintain my license, and not worry about what anyone else thinks.

The culture here is to bash and gossip, and unfortunately a lot of that behavior is seen in our DON. She is a good nurse in a very stressful job, and takes that out on staff openly in our meetings. She berates people who ask "stupid" questions and literally just creates an atmosphere where everyone hates admitting mistakes and nev hesitates to point out those that do.

I believe I know who may have told tgis gossip to ny staff and plan to ask her about it tomorrow. We also have our monthly meeting with the DON and the newest staff members so I may bring it up then as well.

The job is not very demanding, but the gossip and attitudes are just ridiculous.

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

Do this:

1. Hold one hand up palm away from you.

2. say (deadpan and calm) "Whatever."

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Do not get caught up in the fray. How other people are acting is on them. Who cares if they think you to be "calling the MD too much" or whatever foolishness they can cook up. Cover yourself, document accordingly, and leave after your shift knowing that you did what you were supposed to do.

Also, do not get into it yourself. When others are gossiping, just walk away. DO NOT engage.

Best wishes!

[Emergent, RN]

Frankly, the gossip you describe is the lamest gossip I've ever heard. Where I work there is real, juicy gossip. Like, nurse manager sleeping with married ER doc, or married nurse sleeping with preceptee. We have one tongue wagging coworker that just loves to stir the pot with her speculative rumors that she calls facts.

Now, you're not calling the doc frequently to set up a rendezvous, are you?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

So, my issue with this job is mainly the gossip. It is SO prevalent. To the point where people won't tell you to their face what they think or question your actions, but will raise all kind of hell behind your back and notify supervisors. Apparently, the new gossip about me is that I call the MD about everything and don't use nursing judgement to carry things out. This was told to a staff on my home and asked to be anonymously told to me.

I usually don't care when people gossip but to attack my nursing judgement because I "call too much"? And then to not have the guts or ethical conscience to discuss it with me or at least my supervisor?

I'm going to talk to my supervisor later. But I just really hate that this place is full to the brim with gossip. It wouldn't matter if people actually directly called me out on whatever they thought was wrong, but behind the back insaneness is really annoying and frustrating. Any tips on how to deal with this?

Folks talked about your nursing judgement behind your back instead of talking to you. That's not really a "gossip" issue. If folks are questioning your nursing judgement, go talk to them. Find out what is really being said and discuss it with that person. If your judgement was flawed, you'd like to know, wouldn't you? If not, perhaps you can make your point to the people who are discussing you and be better understood.

I thought this thread was going to be about something juicy!