Does it get better?

[MassRn91]

I recently started a new job at a health clinic and have been there 5 months now. I love what I do, truly. I love my patients and the providers I work with. I have a good rapport with the providers and my colleagues but my charge nurse is not supportive and condescending. As an example, today I had a busy schedule and saw patients back to back and did not have time to even document. At my desk, there's a phone where people are allowed to leave non urgent messages. Around 5, after my last visit, my charge nurse comes up to me in front of everyone and confronts me about having several messages. I informed her I had been seeing patients all day and I haven't had time to sit. She then proceeded to tell me in front of everyone that it shouldn't be taking me that long to do a nurse visit and that I still have responsibilities.

I make sure that when I see my patients, that all their questions are answered. I am discouraged and am dreading work tomorrow. There are many more scenarios where I have been belittled.

Everywhere has it's politics but does it get better? I dread working.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

People are condescending because, through our action or inaction, we imply that it is okay to treat us condescendingly. Remember that we treat people how to treat us.

When someone is being rude, testy or condescending, I tactfully call them out on it, especially if they're behaving in that manner around other people. Also, if someone complains about your performance, put them on the spot by asking if they have a solution to the 'problems' they perceive.

"You really don't need to be so condescending to me." "If I'm moving so slow, so you have a solution?" "Do you have any tips to move faster?"