First year nurse having problems with the new "know it all"

Nurses New Nurse

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I just got off orientation. Things are going great. I love my job. I love what I do. I just am really frustrated giving report to the next shift and the new "know it all" who is just orienting. She is being oriented by an experienced nurse who was hired at our facility less than a year ago. The preceptor has a lot of knowledge, but the two are feeding off of each other's "superior knowledge" and making it difficult to give report. They interrupt continually and break the train of thought and information that is being passed along. Because of that, there is something that gets missed no matter how small and they will find it and use it. It's as if they are starting to start a shift war. Our facility was never a back biting environment before this. We were a very respectful place. Let's face it, we are all human, and we all understand that there are some days that are just crazy and something may get left for the next shift. In this case the next shift is the night shift.

I've talked to my supervisor about this and I'm not sure how to handle it. I am not a confrontational type of person. It is difficult for me to tell them to stop giggling in report about something that happened last night or to have a little respect when I am telling them something that they may already know from the previous night's work instead of saying "Yeah, yeah, we know, we had him last night.......did he ride the call light for you too???" I just think it is unprofessional and I am trying to learn the right way to do things rather than acting like a child when it comes to patient care. I know that I don't know it all. I got a really good GPA just like this other gal, but I still don't know it all.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Anna

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Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

As soon as they start simply say "If you could please just let me give report then if you have any questions or comments when I finish I will be happy to address them then." If that does not work when they start conversing among themselves stop report get up and say, "I will be over here when you guys get through and are ready for report let me know."

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Unfortunately, in every job there is one of those. All you can do is keep focused on your job and don't mind her comments or "big head" for that matter. Keep her at a safe distance for you sanity and peace of mind. Best wishes to you. :)

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They sound very immature and insecure. Give your report and go on about your own business. If you are having problems with this duo others are also. Its amazing how nurses of this type just don't have the longevity of the patient and careful ones.

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Just keep giving the report...talk over them if you have to....just keep going until you are done. When you are done, if they ask about information you already gave them, tell them you covered that already and that they were not paying attention. Give them the info again, then ask them to pay attention to report the next time. Advise your manager that you are giving them a complete and detailed report and they are not paying attention. Cover yourself in this way so that if they miss something, it is on them because your manager has already been notified of the situation by you.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

I would write out report before they come on . Then when you try to give report and they start their non-sense you can say;" Everytime I try to give report, I have to wade through waist high BS to tell you two about these patients. So you now have a choice. You can shut your pie hole and pay attention or you can read my report, because Im going home on time tonight" (or something to that effect).:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

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I just got off orientation. Things are going great. I love my job. I love what I do. I just am really frustrated giving report to the next shift and the new "know it all" who is just orienting. She is being oriented by an experienced nurse who was hired at our facility less than a year ago. The preceptor has a lot of knowledge, but the two are feeding off of each other's "superior knowledge" and making it difficult to give report. They interrupt continually and break the train of thought and information that is being passed along. Because of that, there is something that gets missed no matter how small and they will find it and use it. It's as if they are starting to start a shift war. Our facility was never a back biting environment before this. We were a very respectful place. Let's face it, we are all human, and we all understand that there are some days that are just crazy and something may get left for the next shift. In this case the next shift is the night shift.

I've talked to my supervisor about this and I'm not sure how to handle it. I am not a confrontational type of person. It is difficult for me to tell them to stop giggling in report about something that happened last night or to have a little respect when I am telling them something that they may already know from the previous night's work instead of saying "Yeah, yeah, we know, we had him last night.......did he ride the call light for you too???" I just think it is unprofessional and I am trying to learn the right way to do things rather than acting like a child when it comes to patient care. I know that I don't know it all. I got a really good GPA just like this other gal, but I still don't know it all.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Anna

Before you give report to these two next time, take a minute to tell them that it bothers you when they interrupt, etc. Tell them exactly what you have said here. I think they will be pretty surprised by what you say. learn to advocate for yourself like you would advocate for your patients.

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One thing I have found that works is this; while you are giving report, if they start to gossip and giggle, just stop, and queitly sit there looking at them. Eventually, they'll notice and stop, also. Then you smile real big and say "Finished? I know that you'd hate to miss anything in report, so let's get started." If they say things like "did he ride the call light for you, too?" Smile and say, "No, he didn't have to for me" or even better (dumb look on face) "Oh, yeah, he did say something about having trouble getting help yesterday" and document, document! "Complete report on patient's status accepted at 0630 by X and X." I like the idea of giving a written report, too; but be careful, if you forget something, they'll have "proof" to nag you about.

Just remember that you are a good nurse, and already a step ahead of these two because you are not buying into that kind of obnoxious behavior. Just persevere, it's hard, but consider it an education, because there's generally someone like that or similar on most units, so develop you own style for handling it; and remember the more experience you get as a nurse, the more confidence you'll have in your skills, and the more confidence you have as a nurse will empower you to deal with these kinds of situations. Good luck.

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