Dealing with rude staff nurses

boopchick · Jun 3, 2003

Well...I went back to the same unit this week and stood my ground. I had a MUCH better experience this time around. Figured everybody deserves a second chance.

mattsmom81 · Jun 20, 2003

Good for you!!! Sometimes bullies just need someone to stand up to 'em!!!

If I get this kind of treatment more than once or from multiple staff, I make it clear I won't be back. Life is too short, IMO.

ohioln, RN · Jul 3, 2003

I recently worked in a long term care facility where a lot of the people were really rude. They use a lot of agency people. I'd worked there a few months ago and got sick while at work. I called my agency but couldn't get in touch with them. They had some problem with their cell phone or something and the answering service couldn't get in touch with them. I called the DON of the facility and told her the problem and asked if she could get someone to replace me. She gave me permission to call other agencies, which I did, but they couldn't get anyone to fill the shift that late. The facility got someone to come in a few hours later. They wouldn't let me leave, said it would be patient abandonment, even though another licensed person was there. Anyway, the person who came in was very rude and indignent about having to come in. I told her I was sick and needed to go home. She gave me such a hard time! When shift change came around, she made some comment about agencies working there a lot. It seemed that she was upset about it. I'm not saying there aren't nice people working there, but I just can't deal with the rudeness of some of the staff I've had to give or receive report from.

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Jul 12, 2003

I have traveled a few places over the past few years and one thing is constant..... most staff nurses are very nice but there are a few mean ole cows out there. Their type comes a dime a dozen. I have learned that usually rudeness is used to compensate for laziness or incompetence. They use it as a shield.

I once read a quote that states "Rudeness is the weak person's imitation of strength".

In my experience, the typical Nasty Nellies are staff nurses that have worked on the same unit since God was a child and do not do well with change. These same nurses would be the first to complain when they are understaffed.

My advice is to be cool and polite but firm. DO NOT let a few bad apples ruin your experience. I have met some wonderful people and have grown professionally. I remember the positive experiences and the negative remain a nameless and faceless collective.

eeocccrn · Jul 20, 2003

i hate to admit this but sometimes it is a "jealousy thing". i experienced it first hand. An agency nurse waltz in boasting about the money she would make today. (Almost twice as much as staff.) But she had no certification, and having observed her nonchalant, noncompassionate, apathetic care she gave to her patients, compounded with a holier, mighter, richer

than thou attitude, I could feel the anger rise in my blood.

I did not even want to look her in the eyes. So my point to you is

if you make more money, keep it to yourself. Also get certified in your chosen area. It lets others know that you are serious about pt care not just money. This will give them one less thing to be envious or angry about.

angelbear · Jul 20, 2003

We have agency nurses alot at our facilities and for the most part they are awsome. I admire their ability to be so flexible and so quick to pick everything up. We actually had one of our nurses a few days ago say in front of an agency nurse that it would be better to work short than to have agency. Unfreakin believable. This is also the nurse who complains longest and loudest if her shift is short. In my opinion she was just plan being rude and we her coworkers told her so. Believe me it is everywhere but not everyone. Had that agency nurse gone strictly on the behavior of that very rude nurse she would have missed the chance to see that most of us worship the ground she walks on just for being there for us when we are short.

SteelTownRN · Aug 9, 2003

I understand that not all nurses are friendly or even civil to agency nruses. However, before you write off the entire unit or institution, consider whether or not the problem was with one individual or larger than that one nurse. One bad nurse can spoil the shift for you, but don't let it color your opinion of the whole unit or hospital. Sometimes the other staff see the same things as you did in the little troublemaker.

Monica RN,BSN · Aug 10, 2003

The advantages I have found to being an angency nurse is that I do not have to go back it the place is a dump or the people are rude... Just don't need the hassle, can go to the next place the agency wants to send me... " When work is no longer fun, it's time to find a new job"

smk4450 · Aug 19, 2003

It may have been a bad day-week or season for that nurse- who know what is going on in her personal life- yes, some take their personal lives to work. Count your hours, count your money and devote your time to the pts. Do not take any thing personal. S

mattsmom81 · Aug 20, 2003

This may be a bit off topic, but sometimes I think that in tolerating the abusive treatment (nurses in general) from patients, docs, families (and unfortunately each other sometimes)... we are allowing the problem to go unchecked.

When enough staff leave and report hostile work environment as the reason, it does get heeded. Maybe its time for us as a group to stop allowing it, and use the law to force change.

My newest manager unfortunately brought an entourage of groupies with her....abusive staff who are favored over her nongroupies. She will not heed complaints about their rudeness. These staff are in supervisory positions and retaliate against staff who complain about them.It's a real toxic situation.

It only takes 3 people to file a class action lawsuit? Maybe we should do more than just vote with out feet at hostile workplaces, eh?

asil · Sep 5, 2003

I have met a few nurses like that. It is unfortunate and I agree those type of people are miserable in the personal lives and it crosses over to their professional lives. I say just kill them with kindness, and continue to be professional and maybe they will learn a thing or two from a "real nurse" Good luck.

RN4321 · Sep 20, 2003

Originally posted by boopchick

I usually have a positive experience when I work at various facilities through my agency. However, I worked a shift yesterday(my first time there) and could not believe how rude some of the staff were to me. I always introduce myself and try to be pleasant. This nurse I worked with barely said good morning to me and proceeded to ignore me the rest of the day.

I've dealt with those people...

The ones that are smiley and warm to everyone that walks by them and then when you try to interact and smile their faces go cold and they stare right thru you...and you have never met them before that shift. You wonder what they would do to those fellow staffers if THEY showed up as an agency nurse one day---would they still smile and be sweet or give them the cold blank stare??