OK so there's this tech.....

[MIA-RN1, RN]

Ok, so I have worked on the unit for about 2 months now. Off orientation, loving the job and getting many positive remarks.

I feel that I have been getting along great with the techs on our floor. We take care of each other, and help each other out. Its really nice.

But there is this one tech....

She makes a point of making an announcement at 8pm that visiting hours are over, and then turns the hallway lights down. (We are a maternity floor and the visiting hours are not very enforced due to the nature of our floor). I don't agree with that but I realize that its realy not something I can change at this point. I am still one of the newbies.

Tonight for the first time, I found the patients flow sheets outside the rooms, leaning on the railing outside the door. The sheets are in a notebook, but still, its hippa. So I put them all back in the rooms.

I had taken one pt's flowsheet to the nurse's station to document my assessment and teaching. She had come into the room as I was leaving, so that she could do her vitals.

As she came out I heard her say "It would be nice if the folders were in the rooms like they should be"

And I started to apologize...but didn't. Because she had seen me in there, and because I had been charting and reallly, because I just thought she was rude. She said it to my back, so perhaps she was not talking to me.

Has never talked to me.

The other night, I asked her to please go into a patient's room and change the linens while the patient was up ambulating in the hall.

She just kind of nodded, no eye contact. And a few minutes later another nurse found me and asked what room did I want her to change! And the tech, who was sitting in the procedure room on the computer, was still where I left her.

I don't know. I just get a bad feeling. She does what she is told by other nurses. And I always ask, I never tell.

Ok, I feel better venting that now.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I think she's trying to push your limits. I thinks she harboring somewhat of a sense of resentment, because, maybe in her mind, here you're new, and you're telling her what to do even though she's been there longer than you. But that's her problem she's going to have to get over, not yours. If she passed the buck again on a task, i'd probably ask why. And if she made another smart remark in the hall again, i'd take her aside and inform her that if she has any issues why why or how i do things, then it wouold be best to take them to me or the manager, and not in a public hallway, since that's unprofessional.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

I think she's trying to push your limits. I thinks she harboring somewhat of a sense of resentment, because, maybe in her mind, here you're new, and you're telling her what to do even though she's been there longer than you. But that's her problem she's going to have to get over, not yours. If she passed the buck again on a task, i'd probably ask why. And if she made another smart remark in the hall again, i'd take her aside and inform her that if she has any issues why why or how i do things, then it wouold be best to take them to me or the manager, and not in a public hallway, since that's unprofessional.

Good advice. :)

[SouthernLPN2RN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Please realize that there will be some people who are just going to be hateful no matter what you do. I deal with a lot of poisonous coworkers myself and I truly hate that anyone has to deal with them. The particular group I'm usually scheduled with has 3 techs who rotate through. One is just horrible all around the other two are usually ok depending on their mood. I have always gone out of my way to be nice to them, yet I get crap from them all the time.

[MIA-RN1, RN]

I think she's trying to push your limits. I thinks she harboring somewhat of a sense of resentment, because, maybe in her mind, here you're new, and you're telling her what to do even though she's been there longer than you. But that's her problem she's going to have to get over, not yours. If she passed the buck again on a task, i'd probably ask why. And if she made another smart remark in the hall again, i'd take her aside and inform her that if she has any issues why why or how i do things, then it wouold be best to take them to me or the manager, and not in a public hallway, since that's unprofessional.

thank you! I will do that.

[MIA-RN1, RN]

Please realize that there will be some people who are just going to be hateful no matter what you do. I deal with a lot of poisonous coworkers myself and I truly hate that anyone has to deal with them. The particular group I'm usually scheduled with has 3 techs who rotate through. One is just horrible all around the other two are usually ok depending on their mood. I have always gone out of my way to be nice to them, yet I get crap from them all the time.

See tho thats part of the gist of it....we go out of our way to be nice and that shouldn't have to happen. We are all grownups and we should all be nice in general but the fact that we have to work w/ people who need us to be extra-nice just to make them civil burns my butt.

[vamedic4, EMT-P]

Good advice. :)

I second that...she's being quite petty and she needs to grow the hell up. Just keep doing what you're doing, being nice, et cetera, and keep a sharp eye on her.

vamedic4

enjoys the heat

[Hebrews 13:5]

...I had a similar experience, but it was from an LVN. She asked me to take her patient down to the car park(on wheel chair), 'cause the other "tech's were busy." They want to intimidate you by all means.... Even though I'm new, (just about two and half months), I'm not taking that ****. I simply told her I didn't think I could do that. I mean, how can I leave my patients and take your patient downstairs?? i felt slighted but it's one of those things you have to deal with especially when you are just new.She sees me and frowns...lol.. but who cares? I just greets her with a smile and say how are you doing today and move on..I refused to put my mind to that matter anymore... I help some of the tech do stuff for my patient especially when i see that it may take a little longer for them to come in and do that task but not to the point of being intimidated...

[widi96]

It sounds like this particular tech has an extremely poor work ethic. My suggestion would be give it another shift or two and if it doesn't get any better - a discussion may be necessary. It also sounds like she could be quite a liability if she is making HIPPA violations. Having specific things to talk to her about would be good - if you're too vague the points don't stick, but if you say . . . you left these papers outside of the rooms on this occassion and this occassion, etc. it makes a much more lasting impression. Just my two cents. Unfortunately there are just some bad techs out there (like any field - there are some bad that give the good a bad name). Sorry about the issues you are having.

[MIA-RN1, RN]

It sounds like this particular tech has an extremely poor work ethic. My suggestion would be give it another shift or two and if it doesn't get any better - a discussion may be necessary. It also sounds like she could be quite a liability if she is making HIPPA violations. Having specific things to talk to her about would be good - if you're too vague the points don't stick, but if you say . . . you left these papers outside of the rooms on this occassion and this occassion, etc. it makes a much more lasting impression. Just my two cents. Unfortunately there are just some bad techs out there (like any field - there are some bad that give the good a bad name). Sorry about the issues you are having.

She seems to get along great with the other nurses so I am not sure exactly how to talk with her. The other night she came on as I was leaving and so I was glad I didn't have to work with her. I think she usually works a different shift than I do but I am watching out for those charts being outside the door again. I had asked another nurse before I moved them "The charts are outside the doors, I need to move them, right?" and she said yes, its a hippa violation so at least I know that moving them was approved by at least one co-worker.