The Nerve!!!

[KC CHICK]

This weekend was my first weekend at work. We didn't have much going on Sat, but had 3 hips Sun. The cases lasted from 0800-1500 with no breaks in between. On the weekends, the staff just consists of one crew...that's me, my scrub tech, a CRNA, and a recovery nurse. So, when there are cases...it's just the doc and us.

The night RN came in last night for his shift and questioned me about why a linen cart was still in the front hallway. A LINEN CART! He went on to say that this was his "trap for day people" to see if they did anything. I told him we had 3 hips. He then asked "so what did you do after three thirty then?" I couldn't believe he even asked me that....of all the nerve! I know he doesn't have that kind of schedule overnight...they're lucky to get even one case.

So, now I have vowed to NEVER touch that d@$# linen cart. If he wants to lay a trap for me, he can just stick it where the sun doesn't shine. That linen cart will be out in that front hallway every weekend I work....it will not move an inch.

I've even toyed with the idea of putting a sign on it for him saying "GOOD EVENING...WELCOME TO WORK.".

My venting now over, I thank you for listening.

Anne.

[KC CHICK]

those nurses, students, etc....that have turned my thread into another beeeeaatch session for your egos. I was simply trying to talk out an aggravating experience that I had and was not expecting this crap!

135ctv, my hide is thick enough to know that this person will not ruin my day. However, I will not tolerate the treatment that I received. That doesn't make me weak or thin skinned.

Again, another good attempt at discussion----- destroyed.

Anne

PS: For those of you that gave positive and professional feedback and comments, regardless of if I agree or not....I TRUELY THANK YOU. You're the ones that make the profession great.

[Hardknox]

Sorry your post turned into a ***** session, KC CHICK! JMP--life is too short. Put Mario on your ignore list if he bugs you. It's easy. Click on profile, click on put this person on my ignore list. You never have to see another post by him unless you want to!!!! (Worked for me!!!!!!)

[RNforLongTime]

Okay, as one of the moderators of this forum, I must interject. This is not the place to be putting each other down and calling one another names! This must stop now! No wonder we can never get anywhere as a profession! We must stand up for one another not tear each other down! Do you ever see doctors do this to each other? I don't think so. So, can't we just all get along and be friends? Thank you.

[rncountry]

Actually yes, I have seen docs that are in the same specialty and competing behave in much the same manner,and why for heaven's sake do we always have to compare ourselves to docs?

The issue is not the cart, the issue isn't rather the cart should have been moved or not. The issue is a nurse who has to feel I am much better than you and let me prove it. The horizonal abuse that takes place in this career field is crap. Plain and simple. And that is what this issue boils down too. The problem is that when one complains about it, or feels they are not going to put up with it they are told in one way or another that they aren't behaving appropriately, professionally, "nice". The image of the all-suffering all-giving smiling while I bend over for you female nurse image is one that is not only promoted by popular media, management, docs but worst of all US. We all want to pat her on the shoulder, say it is ok, or buck up, or ignore it but God forbid it be confronted. What is more or less said from the vast majority of nurses is sit down, shut up and be a nice girl. You're going to get the rest of us in trouble.

While I think the sign is funny, I'm glad that you figure not the best thing to do. While it is difficult to begin with, it works much better to directly and verbally confront someone who believes it is appropriate to behave that way. You will have nurses who will tell you that is not correct, it will only cause you more problems. I say only for a minute, as soon as others realize that you will hold your own and then some the issue disappears. As a new nurse a year out of school I started in a neuro ICU unit. Had no idea that this was considered the worst unit in the hospital to work because the nurses there were so difficult to get along with. I learned there never to take crap from anyone, and I also learned how not to treat others, especially the new grad.

JMP, I would work alongside you anyday. I would always rather work with someone who is upfront and blunt than the mealy-mouthed person that blows their mouth in the breakroom but won't say boo when push comes to shove. And personally I also think that someone offering advice needs a bit of time in the trenchs to be at least understanding of where the professional nurse is coming from. I don't see how that is wrong to say so.

I hope this type of activity does not scare any nurse off, but the reality is this is how it is. We will all complain, whine call it what you will, but until nursing is ready to address the issues in our own basement there is not enough money, better staffing, no mandatory overtime or understanding management that will keep nurses in the direct care role. Too many other jobs out there for females nowdays. And it isn't going to work for others to go could you all just be nice and get along? Could you all just take the traditional female role and stop it? It will take nurses to address this issue and nurses to solve it. Not outside people telling us how to behave, we have done that from time one and look what it has gotten us.

[Q.]

Hi Anne-

I've read this thread, well, skimmed it, and I don't know where to start. Are you still looking for advice?

Anne, I know your issue isn't the linen cart, it's this guy's attitude. From personal experience with these types of people, I've found that I try to change their perspective and it just doesn't work - and if it did, they surely won't let YOU know about it and thank you for showing them the light. I guess, I have decided to choose my battles. You have to decide if this is one worth persuing.

JMP - I read your posts and, oddly enough, feel better. As soon as I think that I have it bad, you come along and get slammed.

I skimmed the posts and it seems like you and Mario made up - I could be wrong. Anyway, as an outside observer, seems that Mario suggested a different take on this guy, and while a good thought, unfortuately doesn't apply to nursing. And it appears JMP was trying to point this out. As an aside, when I was in nursing school, I couldn't wait to get out into the "real, professional" world and work with "professionals." I found that I was deeply disappointed. In school, discussions are fostered, people work hard, opinions are heard and respected. In the workforce, just the opposite can be true. My solution? I went back to school! :)

I think, Mario, that JMP was just trying to point that out.

[mario_ragucci]

So, there is a "nursing" way of relating with people, and a "non-nursing" way of relating with people; Is that it?

I don't know about that. I kinda think people are people. If your personality is all bent out of shape I don't think it matters whether you work in a hospital, work in a factory, work on a farm, work on an airplane....people are still people. Maybe you know of some mystical quality you gain for dealing with co-workers who are fellow nurses. What is it? Would someone explain what special people skills you develop when you complete a 2 year RN program? What human interaction would be inapplicable in terms of nurse to nurse interaction. Boy oh boy! Yall can help us by making specific examples of how nurses are not humans, please. Are there lions roaming that actually eat their young? Do all nurses have a take on life that looks like a burned up match-head? By the way, as an older person, I will be 39 when I receive my RN, and if anyone tries to eat me, they are in for it. I don't want to talk about myself, and don't have to brag about my lifetime accomplishments/experiences.

[RNPD]

Helen, I so agree with what you say, but I agree with SusyK too on this one. We gots to choose our battles-and the jerk that KC describes in this post just wouldn't be worth it to me. When he mentioned the "trap" I might say something like "nice to see you have so much free time on your shift, but on my shift we have to WORK, so I'll leave the traps to you." I think I'd let this one go at that-not worth the effort of a stronger resonse.

But I also would rather work with someone who tells it like it is to my face & then let's it go-rather the the passive-aggressive types I meet all too often in this profession!

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

KC

I would have to say "Oh" to his trap explanation and ignore the whole business. If he started criticizing beyond that just tell him you had to prioritize (duh) and maybe add the suggestion to back off a little as you work hard to make his shift as easy as possible.

Of course if you leave a patient for him to take care of and move the cart for him AND he complains again...well he's really steppping in it then, and is fair game for a scathing put down.

[Q.]

Mario-

Yes people are people. I have often said, a jerk is a jerk whether he is a nurse or a bank-teller. I've used this argument to support BSNs at times.

But what I mean by NURSING issue, or whatever, is...well hard to explain I guess. I've worked in hospitals and corporate America, and have seen this attitude only in healthcare; this petty, shift to shift crap. Odd too, because in healthcare people know that was is really important is not what a shift does, but the patients and what happened that night with their acuity, etc. In corporate America, sure, people get bent about this or that, but it's within PERSPECTIVE. The perspective in Anne's case about this guy having an attitude about what a shift does all night is losing focus of what really matters (ie: the 3 hips she did, etc) Coming from another nurse, Anne would expect this dude to understand without giving him a play by play of the entire shift.

It's hard to explain Mario. I think that's why people just say that you will know when you are out of school.

[mario_ragucci]

"How bizarre! How bizarre, how bizarre, how bizarre !

Everytime I look around, it's in my face" :-)

It'd be fun to work with you folks one day; I'd love it :-)

[hapeewendy]

KC , sorry your post didnt turn out the way you intended, though I do think it got quite involved considering it was about a linen cart to start

I agree that a lot of ppl gave good professional opinions

but i disagree with those nurses, students, etc....that have turned my thread into another beeeeaatch session for your egos" part of your comment

I dont think anyone was ego boosting etc, I think it was your classic example of differing opinions that unfortunately , as it has a way of doing on a BB etc, got personal.

co workers can definitely be aggravating (to put it mildly) and its good to vent/seek opinion and support on this BB, but I really dont see how deep

this thread could have gotten and usually threads

take on different topics as do real life conversations.

I just happen to agree with most of you and think that it sucks when everyones opinions arent respected and when people decide to use this forum as a sounding board for their own superiority complex.

cheers

[micro, RN]

kc

teamwork 101.........session 2 :-)

why is it the little things!!!!!

keep on posting and discussion..........

micro

micro chooses battles......