hostile staff member

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in er, neuro trauma/icu, hospice, tele,.

hi all,

i am in need of some advice. i am employed as an LVN in a small inpatient facility. there is a charge nurse who, for whatever reason, has decided i don't belong there. she has been difficult to work with for the last several months (she won't address me directly or make eye contact, when one of my patients needs something she doesn't tell me but rather announces the need to the room or tells another nurse with me standing there, tells other staff "watch her" and has been overheard telling people that i "need to go") annoying to be sure but now she's getting dangerous. i have been told by two other rn's that this woman is telling staff that i pronounced a patient, told the family there was nothing more we could do, sent the family home and called the funeral home all without notifying her. she then went to another charge nurse (who wasnt working that night) and told her to write me up. i've spoken to the patient care manager who has told me she will "investigate it." she's reliable and i know she will, however, this is now my license we're talking about. i'm not the only one having problems with this nurse. to my knowledge, she has been written up 5 times in a single week by 5 individuals (including family) for 5 separate incidents. the answer would seem clear but i'm not holding my breath. i've already taken myself off of the schedule for any shifts she is working but i'm wondering, doesn't what she's doing constitute slander? should i contact an attorney? do i contact the bne for my state?

thanks in advance for your input

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Specializes in ER and Home Health.

I would just find another job, I personally do not feel the need to put up with such behavior from others.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Keep a log of each incident; on date, time, so&so told (staff member name), in my presence, to write me up/she needs to go/watch her, etc. Also, on this date/time, staff member informed me of so&so's statement ________. Date/time, so&so failed to inform me of a patient need, despite my being present.

Ask others to cosign any entry they are willing to bear witness to.

Establish a hostile work place pattern towards you. Take it all to your superior, and use the term "hostile work place".

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Specializes in Foot Care.

Start documenting the incidents. You can be sure that if she is intent on getting you reprimanded or terminated, she is keeping notes too.

Most institutions have policies in place regarding hostile or abusive co-workers - find the policy and learn it frontwards, backwards, upside down, inside out and sideways. Most of these policies have a step-by-step procedure that you must follow; for instance, you may have to talk to the other nurse before you can go to your manager or supervisor with your documentation, and before you file a complaint with Human Resources.

Also, take advantage of your EAP (Employee Assistance Program) if your employer offers this benefit - most hospitals do. You may be entitled to a few hours worth of completely confidential counselling to help you become emotionally strong enough to confront the other nurse.

There are lots of self-help books available on the topic of "workplace bullying", "mobbing" and dealing with difficult co-workers. They are readily available on Amazon.com or you may be able to find them at the library. If your institution offers continuing education workshops, see if there is one available for you to take on workplace violence or dealing with difficult co-workers.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I would also contact JCHCO too as they have a new workplace bully inititive in place. See if they can give you any support or advice.

Be very careful because I worked with a person like this and they tried to sabotage my charting and pt care etc.

If one of your patients is harmed and this nurse can make it look like you, you will be in a world of hurt.

Just a word of warning. I would just leave because most facilities just get rid of the squeeky wheel. So you will most likely be the one got rid of.

In my case the charge nurse got so bold that she forgeot herself and did a drama routine and got herself fired. I hope you are as lucky

She scared me and I always avoided her the best I could. I learned so much from that and other problems that now I would confront her and have it out, but at the time I was not that brave

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Instead of wasting money on an attorney I would just get another job and continue to get off the schedule whenever this person is on duty until you can leave.

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If you decide to talk to her about her behavior do not do not do not(!) do this wo a third party as a witness! I learned many years ago to always have a witness when confronting an issue. If it can be a "disinterested" person, someone from another shift or another unit, that is even better. Good luck. As others have mentioned, document each incident but don't be surprised if no one else is willing to put anything in writing.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Instead of wasting money on an attorney I would just get another job and continue to get off the schedule whenever this person is on duty until you can leave.

If you decide to talk to her about her behavior do not do not do not(!) do this wo a third party as a witness! I learned many years ago to always have a witness when confronting an issue. If it can be a "disinterested" person, someone from another shift or another unit, that is even better. Good luck. As others have mentioned, document each incident but don't be surprised if no one else is willing to put anything in writing.

I agree...I would observe for now if there is a difference now that you are not working the same shifts with this nurse. If it lightens the situation, then, fine. However, I would not expect that others would sign statements-not that you don't deserve the support, but if she has been written up 5 times, this is a history that has been observed and I'm sure that the other employees would be afraid to make waves for themselves.

Maybe requesting a meeting with this nurse and a supervisor if this continues? I would probably do that because it would give me an idea of how much support would REALLY be rendered on my behalf. If it goes south, then, I'd be discretely and actively looking for another position.

One thing I keep in mind, though, it is easy to say "Just leave", but I don't know your situation. If employment opportunities are bleak in your geographical area (especially for LPNs), that's easier said than done. For now, see how it goes with you not working with this maniac, observe what other opportunities may be available and if it keeps up, hopefully, you'll see a clear road to safety.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Personally, I would disagree with the advice to leave. Especially if this is a position that you otherwise enjoy.

Workplace (or any other -place) bullies thrive because they are allowed to. If no one calls their bluff or takes action against them, they continue to make others' lives miserable. Who knows how many other employees this person has already run off?

I agree with the documentation of incidents from here on out. I also would not make it a secret that I am doing so. Of course you wouldn't want to announce what you're doing, but I would openly pull out a notepad and jot notes down in her presence and in the presence of others when these incidents occur.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

I agree with the above, but would add: if you choose to leave, be sure to voice that she is the reason in an exit interview. If enough people do this, the facility may decide she is costing them too many employees.

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Specializes in Urgent Care,Urology,Mental health.

It's a shame that we are forced to put up with this nonsence. We are in this profession to help others in need and yet we are subjected by co workeres who are the complete opposite of how we as nurses should be acting. I too have been subjected twice by ignorant people. You have a choice to report it to authorities in this sense this nurse is creating a hostile work environment for you and causing you undoo stress. Remember you too have rights. You have a right to work in a safe environment as well. If the supervisors wont do anything about this nurse who is not only defamming your character ( which by the way is cause for a civil lawsuit), she is creating a hostile work environment and Supervisors need to get rid of her! Period!.

However you can't tell your supervisor what to do but what you can do (if you like your job and want to stay there ) is put it in writing you feel this is causing you undoo stress, you feel by working in a hostile environment is not productive for the nursing Dept and in the end the clients or patients will be at risk by having unprofessional nurses who behave like this. *** You will then see how fast they react when you tell them this***.

If this doesn't work and if you need to go on medication Rx by you doctor for the reason above at least you have it documented that you have been treated by your doctor and then I would go after that nurse who is causing you this pain personally. Also it would help to get the nurses whom she has rummored stuff to to put it in writing that what this nurse is saying.

GOOD LUCK:redbeathe

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What, do you not like being harassed? I'm kidding, I agree with everyone else, leave. She may get disciplined but shell probably never change-and do you want to stick around and see? Stress kills, leave- there people like her all around, don't let it get to ya. Good luck with everything.

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