Don't yell at co-workers in front of people

caliotter3 · Nov 25, 2014

In total agreement. Lose your cool just one time, even for only a short few moments or a few sentences, and you can bet that it will be used against you, time and time again, until you leave that employer.

Wave Watcher · Nov 26, 2014

Amen! When I was working the hospital floor a NP decided I was her victim of the day. She yelled at me in front of the Nurses station which was connected to all 3 wings. You can hear everything from the desk. At that point I was over it....over floor nursing....over night shift....but she just sealed the deal for me. The next day I put in my 2 weeks notice and was gone. Best decision I ever made. No need for me to file a complaint because she was notorious for yelling at other nurses. Everyone would scatter when they saw her coming down the hallway. She was a miserable person. That I believe is Karma at work.

wanderlust99 · Nov 26, 2014

Agree. I know of a RN who didn't yell but was rude and condescending towards nurse assistants, in front of a family member. That family member complained to the manager and the RN ended up getting fired. I would never yell at someone, but sometimes in a high stress environment I need to remember to keep my cool and watch what I say.

mellowdude · Nov 26, 2014

Great post! Nobody should be subjected to being ridiculed in public unless they do something really stupid and obnoxious; like pull down co-workers pants.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2014

The passive-aggressive ones are just as bad. But I would not feel guilty for getting a staffer fired for screaming at me in public. There are plenty of polite and professional unemployed people waiting to take their place!

SubSippi · Nov 26, 2014

These adults who tell are probably the same children you saw throwing temper tantrums in super markets. To me, there really isn't a difference.

If you're really mad about something, pitching a fit may divert attention from the actual issue.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Nov 26, 2014

I got chewed out once by a coworker. It was my second shift at that hospital and I'd been abandoned by my preceptor who left early and really just failed as a preceptor. Change of shift report was brutal, there was a lot I had not completed because I was struggling with charting and was completely on my own. I KNEW how to take care of patients, but the computer charting was slowing me down so much there was a lot I did not get done.

I'd just had a baby a few weeks earlier, and I think the hormones messed with me because I was in tears after her tirade. I know walking into that assignment sucked, but there was little I could do. Then she started threatening me, "Well I'm just going to have to go to management about this." That's when I stated, "I'm going to them first, obviously I need a new preceptor if I'm to be successful in this role." Thankfully I got switched and it all worked out.

But that nurse who chewed me out, actually did so in front of patients/visitors and other staff. Thankfully she did get lectured on behaving so in front of others. She was an excellent nurse regarding knowledge and care, but her lack of tactfulness and lack of class, I will never forget.

Nine months later at the same job, we were in an education update and she sat near me, and said, "Are you going to hate me forever." I stated, "I don't hate you, but I avoid people who create negative environments." That pretty much sums it up. People screw up, and our job can be emotionally taxing, but there is an appropriate way to approach others, and an inappropriate way. Keep it classy.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2014

The first time it happens it is shocking and even frightening. I have seen men twice my size throw charts and behave in a threatening manner just by virtue of their size and body language. I actually once froze in disbelief that anyone could behave that way in public. They think that making people afraid for their personal safety is getting respect.

The second time it happened, I was ready for it. Take control of the situation.

Say I want to talk to you in there. Close the door. Show him or her that you are NOT afraid. Then

say exactly what you need to say. Give him a verbal warning that your behavior is unacceptable and disrupting my unit. You are losing the respect of the staff. (ouch) Don't do it again. Then find out what triggered this person and get that addressed. You be in control of this because this provider is not.

Give him one chance to shape up. Then take it to your immediate supervisor.

PMFB-RN, RN · Nov 26, 2014

Uh, there should never be any yelling by anyone to anyone in the hospital. It's unacceptable. Yelling at a co-worker, even in private, is always wrong. I much prefer snide comments and a condescending attitude when faced with an out of control (usually physician) co-worker.

Shouting to be heard, as in "I NEED SOME HELP IN HERE!" doesn't count and is OK.

All4NursingRN · Nov 26, 2014

I currently have a manager who is very condescending to staff. She is a fairly new nurse and new in her role and staff on all shifts are having issues with her. I am just documenting, documenting, documenting, and awaiting the **** to hit before her head rolls. It's all a matter of time. Professionalism is super important and no matter who you know to get a job, lack of respect for subordinates will cost you.

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2014

I have trouble with the above post. Main reason, I never complained immediately to management or supervisors of managers on the floor. I found it best to take the person aside and tell them what has been bothering me lately. Course with a condescender, you may run into denial of behavior. Future write ups are in order. But that's ok, you said your piece. Nothing worse than being the one pulled into the manager's office with a litany of complaints you never heard anyone complain about on the floor on a write up sheet. Pretty sheety, pardon the French.

Oh, and since she's new, she may be entirely unaware of her unprofessional behavior!