Disruptive co-worker

Ev1987 · May 11, 2011

Try to avoid her negativity, and keep yourself positive. She has already been disciplined because of her behavior. If she continues with her attitude, then the worst is sure to come.

RNperdiem, RN · May 11, 2011

If she starts ranting to you, suddenly become too busy to chat.

Be kind and professional, but don't become her target person to unload her negativity onto.

In this situation, just wait it out.

I suspect she will not last long in this job.

EmergencyNrse · May 11, 2011

Sounds like burnout to me.

Agreed, don't let her bring you down.

Ultimately it's poison in the workplace. Usually ends up souring everyone else around her.

I hope things get better but it sounds like management needs to take better action.

steelcityrn, RN · May 11, 2011

Yup, nothing like a negative person to try and spoil the teamwork. Work even harder to over come this.

Whispera, MSN, RN · May 11, 2011

You don't have to listen to her. You can walk away or even say something about not wanting to hear it or even wishing she'd stop it.

She'll probably be gone sooner or later...

Katie5 · May 11, 2011

Emotional negativity is a bigger drain than sheer physical tiredness.Avoid her like the plague

leslie :-D · May 11, 2011

i'm inclined to agree with emergencynurse, about burnout...

or, something similar where she cannot control her negative feelings.

it may be helpful if the DON took her aside and suggested she get help for herself.

i don't think it'd put her on the defensive, and may be therapeutic.

something's going on and it'd be beneficial to get to the bottom of it.

if she gets out of control, time to suspend/terminate...

but at least the record shows that she was encouraged to help herself.

leslie

bosnanurse · May 12, 2011

I usually with those comments reply back " I am so sorry you feel like that because I do not . Maybe this environment is making you like that. It is so nice that nursing is so diverse , have you ever tried to do something else?" ,and smile , walk away , or support her if she wants to change position . As other said stay as you are and make it clear that you will not get into her mud.

Good luck to you .

EMM2erl · Nov 6, 2011

I recently got involved with two nurses verbally debating who is going to write up on a patient who"supposedly fell" This happened during change of shift. Both nurses saw the patient. To make matters nurse the charge nurses were trying to figure out who was going to write about the incident (I was the on-going charge nurse). We called the supe and she said we had to write it up. The day charge wrote the incident. At that point I was already affected by went on I didn't give a ****. Patient assessed and he said he didnt fall. Well sure enough later on that night that same patient got worse. He most likely had another stroke. We kept a viigilent eye on him. We failed to notify the M.D. he had a near fall. So, yeah I let my co-workers behavoir affect my judgment. Furthermore I've been working with a new fairly RN who is so unsure of herself, i feel like i have a monkey on my back. I can't be holding her hand forever.It was her patient that night, all hell broke loose.I couldn't function. I knew I was burned out, that was not the time to lose my composure and compassion. So lesson learn. I've given my self sometime to reflect. I've gotten over it for now.I called my boss coz i was so upset. With that said, it may be time for me to get out and start fresh.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Nov 8, 2011

Anyone have any advice on what to do about a co-worker who is constantly negative about pts and their families. Even goes so far as to argue with the doctors over what patients should not be admitted. Our DON is aware of the situation and this person has been on probation before for her attitude. After the warning she tries to be on her best behavior but as soon as the probation is over shes back to the same old way.

You are describing a repetitive pattern of behavior. Most facilities allow stacking of levels in those cases. She should be on a performance improvement plan (if not done previously), maybe a mandatory EAP referral, and/or a final warning.

One more infraction in the next year, she's out.

After that year, one infraction puts her back on final warning. Same deal.

shape up or ship out