Evil Nurses

ixchel · Jun 22, 2016

Go to youtube and find the quit scene in Half Baked. Enjoy :)

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jun 22, 2016

Read your organization's policies related to behavioral standards. In most organizations, obscene finger gestures are considered lewd behavior... just like using obscene language, these are things that can trigger "termination for cause". Make sure you have the specific language from your policy documents because you need to refer to them when you report the behavior. Be as objective as possible - stick to the facts; include date, time circumstances & names of witnesses to the incident.

It seems as though you have already discussed this with the individual in question. If so, your next step should be a discussion with your manager. If that doesn't work, go up the chain of command until you are heard. Disruptive behavior is not something that should be taken lightly because it can affect patient safety. If you don't take action, who will?

WhyNurse · Jun 22, 2016

How about expressing your concern to your supervisor? Or is she your supervisor?

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2016

She doesn't sound like a nice person, but "evil"? That word is usually used to refer to child rapists and murderers who shoot 50 people in a nightclub.

downsouthlaff, LPN · Jun 22, 2016

Sounds like the common unhappy Nurse. Get ready there everywhere. Advice there's got to be someone else you can go to for help and questions.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2016

Sounds like she is a bully. I would document these interactions and request a meeting.

OAN: please expect to be flammed by the COB club.

Marisette, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2016

This "evil" nurse is probably very insecure, with low self esteem. The only way she knows how to feel better is to make others feel bad. That way she can feel and tell others that she could do things better. They come in all shapes and sizes, meaning that some are bullys, some are passive aggressive, some are backstabbers or people who spy and go to management to report others. Sometimes, they have been working in a place for years and are highly respected by coworkers or management. They seek people who are new the work place and not comfortable with all the procedures and policies of the work place because they can find fault with that person or their performance.

Some nurses can't deal with this type of personality and eventually decide to leave the work place. "Evil" nurses like to spread gossip and can solicit others do join them in harasing a new employee. If you have a particularly skilled "evil" nurse, you have to stay one step ahead of her. Perfect your skills. Ask others to help you with learning skills and spend a little time researching, learning and engaging other nurses to teach you the ropes. Learning your new position and learning it well, makes it harder for this person to gossip about you. It will pay off in the end. Try not to engage in gossip. Be xtra friendly towards everyone in your work place. (donuts anyone?) This will make it harder for her to solicit others to join her or approve of her treatment towards you. Stay calm and cool if she approaches you with criticism. She may be trying to get a rise out of you. If she realizes, you don't get shaken, she will tire and stop. This may take a while, but she will learn. Instead, reward her with a praise, ask questions and try to engage her in providing assistance or information. Your doing this to make your life easier and hopefully to help modify her behavior towards you. You don't have to love her, and she will never be a loyal friend. Don't get confused if she shows a little kindness some day. Always exercise care when engaging the evil nurse. However, it may be possible to develop a working relationship with this person. With time, you will no longer be the new nurse, and she will move on to her next victim.

Sounds a bit manipulative ? Probably, but going to management and claiming harrassment and asking for change is not so easily done when your a new employee. it's not about justice or fairness. It's work place politics and it happens in the best of places.

sammiesmom · Jun 24, 2016

Marisette, sounds like you worked with this nurse too! sigh.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jun 24, 2016

I am not suggesting that the nurse in question could be a bit more professional. With that being said, OP, did you have an orientation? A preceptor? Were you given direction on where it is you could find resources to assist you? Are you given the sickest patients with no support? Do you have a charge nurse? An in house supervisor?

There are nurses who don't want to take on giving advice and direction to new (or even not so new) nurses. It is not within the realm of their job. It could be that they don't know. Profophal? REALLY? That is such a high alert drug that I would be one thousand percent sure what I was doing with it before I did a thing.

Are you a new nurse in the ICU? Or a new grad in an ICU. That can be dangerous. And yes, passive aggressive on the part of the other nurse to voice displeasure on unprepared new grads in a specialty, however, it is the thought process of number of nurses--brand new grads unprepared for clinical nursing skills out of school, with little to no precepting or orientation put in critical ICU care with little resources.

I would be sure that you know exactly who it is that you are to speak to regarding direction, OP. Where your resources are and how to use them. Policy specific guidelines on when and how to use critical drugs, how they are to be titrated and documented.

Now that you know that Nurse Happy isn't about to assist you, then you need to stop asking for assistance from her. With that being said, you need to specifically know who it is you are to ask.

And I would start the process of reading up and studying on ICU/Critical care certification. The study book will assist you, and the certification will benefit you and your patients.

sammiesmom · Jun 24, 2016

I appreciate all the responses, but this post is a rant. It does not reflect how I behave at work, only about how I feel about certain people. But if you want to know, I act professionally around this person although she does not act professionally towards me and to a number of people. Withholding knowledge from your peers to make you feel good about yourself or even to get someone make a mistake endangering a patient is very dark and cynical. Someone must have taken this little lady's pacifier a lot when she was a baby. Anyhoo, I have a PCCN certification (and used a CCRN book to study for it) so I'm not so very stupid. I will in the future take CCRN. I have ACLS and all that fancy smancy classes needed to be a better ICU nurse. Evidence-based practice suggests that profopol needs to be given until patient is lightly sedated but this does not happen where I work. Nurses here love to "snow" a patient. Controversial topic and sometimes when a practice becomes the culture some nurses think that is the right way of doing things but in fact not the right thing to do. What do I know? I am only quoting EBP literature and nobody cares about that. Sometimes too, I feel that some nurses are so immature that they enjoy harassing people. Fun! Thank you for those who understand that this post is nothing but frustration and feelings and not something I have acted upon.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2016

You are not hurting me, you are hurting the patient.

Unfortunately, you will encounter many people in the healthcare professions who are not there for the patient, or with the patient in mind. Some people prioritize their juvenile issues over patient care, and this can have a deeply negative impact on working environments.