Difficult lazy coworkers

[WeimaranerluvinRN, ADN, RN]

I'm struggling with a difficult lazy coworker who happens to be a charge nurse only because she has seniority at the organization not because of her work experience or skill or professionalism for that matter. I work in a small hospital. Yesterday I was walking up the hall from which I had no patients. I was helping a coworker with a difficult IV placement and we needed some other supplies to protect the iv site. Said difficult coworker is standing near the desk eating a sandwich while call lights are going off. She asks me if I am busy. The smartass in me wanted to say "No, just walking down the halls for exercise." I just said yes and she says your patient in 2 needs the bathroom. How about put the sandwich down and help her? How do you deal with someone like this???? ?

[NurseBlaq]

You tell her to put the sandwich down and go help them then smile and keep doing what you're doing. Don't bite your tongue but you can get your point across without being confrontational.

What lazy coworkers fail to realize is we all have good days and we all have bad days. Don't expect help on those bad days when you sat on your *** on the good ones. Life comes full circle and you get back what you put out. Unless you're a wuss like me and help anyway for the patients sake but even I have limitations. There's a difference between helping and doing someone's work.

[WeimaranerluvinRN, ADN, RN]

I've been a nurse for 14 years and have just never worked with people like this. I don't help her (with chart checks and non-patient care duties) when she's drowning because she never helps me (when she gives me the shift change admit or fresh surgical patient), but sometimes she will boss me around because she is the C.N. and she thinks she has that kind of power. I've put her in her place more than once, but yet her behavior doesn't change.

[NurseBlaq]

Welp, when dealing with people like that just smile say OK and keep doing what you were doing as though she didn't say anything. Some people abuse power, or what power they think they have. You're working under your license, that CN role is only a temp title. Learn to ignore people like that. We've all worked with people who like to keep conflict going, it's best to recognize them so you know how to not play into their game.

[Joanne15]

I understand how frustrating that may be. Unfortunately that type of behavior may not change unless you speak up. I would have said something like “Yes I’m about to help so-and-so start an IV in room ##, do you mind getting that for me please?” I try and always use kindness while being assertive. I hope this helps.

[kp2016]

Honestly small issues like this can become big issues contributing to a very ugly work environment so tread carefully, especially if you are the junior person. You stated you were helping someone start a difficult IV when the charge nurse informed you “your patient” needs toileting. The key part of this is “your patient”.

Your options are: A- ask the person who you are doing the IV start for to assist your patient while you try to start their patients IV.

B - politely respond to “are you busy?” With “yes, I’m helping nurse B start a difficult IV, could you help my patient while I’m busy doing this task”.

While amusing for stories at parties and with friends being a smart a**** tail at work often just bites you in the tail in the long run.

[chare]

On 6/19/2019 at 3:00 AM, WeimaranerluvinRN said:

...I've put her in her place more than once, but yet her behavior doesn't change.

I wonder why?

[WeimaranerluvinRN, ADN, RN]

On 6/23/2019 at 4:22 AM, kp2016 said:

Honestly small issues like this can become big issues contributing to a very ugly work environment so tread carefully, especially if you are the junior person. You stated you were helping someone start a difficult IV when the charge nurse informed you “your patient” needs toileting. The key part of this is “your patient”.

Your options are: A- ask the person who you are doing the IV start for to assist your patient while you try to start their patients IV.

B - politely respond to “are you busy?” With “yes, I’m helping nurse B start a difficult IV, could you help my patient while I’m busy doing this task”.

While amusing for stories at parties and with friends being a smart a**** tail at work often just bites you in the tail in the long run.

Well last time I checked all patients paid pur paychecks not just my patients. And I'm only her junior because of how long she has worked there. I've been a nurse longer and have far more experience and I toilet her patients when they call. Rant over.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

On 6/19/2019 at 2:00 AM, WeimaranerluvinRN said:

I've been a nurse for 14 years and have just never worked with people like this. I don't help her (with chart checks and non-patient care duties) when she's drowning because she never helps me (when she gives me the shift change admit or fresh surgical patient), but sometimes she will boss me around because she is the C.N. and she thinks she has that kind of power. I've put her in her place more than once, but yet her behavior doesn't change.

And she may think that because you don't help her, you're the lazy one. "Putting her in her place more than once" is not the hallmark of a good colleague or one that gets along well with others, and it says far more about YOUR inability to get along than it does hers.