eavesdropping

[orangepink]

Hi! I have another work issue. One of the mid-levels in our practice tends to eavesdrops in my conversations/dictation almost on a daily basis. This has been going on for months now.

For example, one of the MAs approached me at my desk that my patient called and had a problem etc and I was about to answer, when she turned around and answered the question herself. I looked at her then proceeded to just give my response to the MA.

Another incident, when she's standing around our workstation, she would stand by my desk and seriously, she would look at my notes while I'm typing. Or when I'm dictating, she would comment when I paused to take a breath.

Third incident, I was discussing a patient case with the supervising MD in the hallway and she literally answered my question all the way from her desk station.

I started in this clinic around 5-6 months ago and I'm technically new to their practice. She's been here longer like 1-2 years but this is her first job as an NP. I'm trying to be patient but it does get on my nerves.

I'd appreciate suggestions on how to address this without causing friction in the workplace.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

It must be swift but a RBF and "yeah thanks but I got this" would probably do the trick.

What is an RBF?

[babyNP., APRN]

What is an RBF?

something I'm sure is against TOS to repeat hear....resting face is all I'll say ; )

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Do you guys work in the same place and complaining about the same person or is TraumaRUs the one you are complaining about?

OMG - I just about spewed my coffee on my computer screen!! lol

Nope we don't work together - it just seems like some MOAs like to eavesdrop. In my situation, the MOA "wishes I could be a nurse" but then says, "well this is close enough I guess."

Yikes - makes for a poor working situation.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

She sounds like she is unsure of her practice, so is in a weird push/pull of needing to prove herself and yet closely watching/listening to your thought process, hoping to learn from it.

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

Hi! I have another work issue. One of the mid-levels in our practice tends to eavesdrops in my conversations/dictation almost on a daily basis. This has been going on for months now.

For example, one of the MAs approached me at my desk that my patient called and had a problem etc and I was about to answer, when she turned around and answered the question herself. I looked at her then proceeded to just give my response to the MA.

Another incident, when she's standing around our workstation, she would stand by my desk and seriously, she would look at my notes while I'm typing. Or when I'm dictating, she would comment when I paused to take a breath.

Third incident, I was discussing a patient case with the supervising MD in the hallway and she literally answered my question all the way from her desk station.

I started in this clinic around 5-6 months ago and I'm technically new to their practice. She's been here longer like 1-2 years but this is her first job as an NP. I'm trying to be patient but it does get on my nerves.

I'd appreciate suggestions on how to address this without causing friction in the workplace.

There's nothing more unnerving than feeling micro-managed. You might privately sit down with her over a cup of coffee, professional to professional and ask if there is a reason why she feels she has to do that? She may be nervous about liability with a newer person, or she may wonder if you are going to be up to snuff. Not sure. I wasn't there, but sometimes folks don't always understand how they are perceived.

You also might ask yourself if someone instructed her to do that for Risk Management assessment. Just a thought.

[orangepink, NP]

She's an NP, not an MOA. We don't have a dedicated HR personnel in our practice, let alone risk mgmt. I'm just bidding my time and waiting to see the right opportunity to discuss her behavior with her. She's closed friends with the office manager so even if I bring it up to the office manager, it may back-fire on me.

I appreciate all the suggestions though!

[Neats, BSN]

This was her first NP position and has been there for a year. Maybe she feels threatened you know a lot of nurses are passive aggressive...just stating the truth. Maybe she feels because she has been there the longest she should be some sort of "Nurse leader" you know people who think they can wield a little more power than others. Maybe she is comparing herself to you and how both of you work a little different. If she has been a nurse for awhile and I mean RN then it is hard to get away from that mentality of pecking order.

I would try to be kind, I would not avoid and sit with the MA's because this shows division and you do not want that. Let her know you appreciate the feedback but it gets irritating when things are said when I am talking to others and input from someone not even in the conversation is well un-necessary. I would reiterate that I appreciate feedback from a lot of people to include you when the feedback is asked for. Maybe along the line she feels excluded. Lastly I would ask her not to call you orange pick and it appears she likes nicknames so let her have one you come up with.

I would do this all over a cup of coffee at a coffee shop not on a Friday but a Wednesday morning. I would thank her for listening to me and Thank her for letting you be so honest. I would also let her know we are co-workers and lets work together not apart but have good boundaries saying things like we both will not...

It sounds like you need to clear the air, set boundaries and practice your craft.

[missdeevah, NP]

So funny 😂😂

[missdeevah, NP]

Oh boy...the "so funny" comment was in response to the comment on whether you're talking about traumaRUs. It didn't show up right below that comment. Just don't want it be thought that I'm laughing@ OP's situation, because I'm sure that the experience is very frustrating.