Gossip Girls... (And boys)

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Nursing is supposed to be a profession.

That would lead one to think that nurses are professionals.

I've been on my unit for 4 months and the gossip is just ridiculous.

Just like women continue to tear each other apart, nurses (which, you guessed it> are mostly women!) tear each other down instead of build each other up.

If my coworkers are gossiping around me, and I can move, I will.

If I can't move, I zone out into my own world, and sometimes, I am sure to make a positive comment about the person that they are gossiping about.

I hate feeing like I have to shy away from my coworkers.

•Are you a gossiping nurse?

•Do you wonder what they are saying about you when you are not around? (I do...)

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Moved to AN's Nurse Colleague / Patient Relations forum.

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Funny, I was thinking of posting something similar to this. My unit is similar, and it can be awkward at times. I work with a few very selfish and catty nurses. The kind of girls that never left high school antics in the past. The problem is that those of us who are quiet are scared to say anything about it for fear of being on the bad girl list. If these few girls don't like you or you do something to get on their bad side, then you might as well look for a new job. In essence, they are passive aggressive bullies. Nice to your face, but then want to tell everyone about any mistake you may have made or dumb question you asked. I try not to think about them talking about me because I would probably cry if I knew what they said. But then I get annoyed with myself and think "why do I care? " and the answer is because no one wants to go to work feeling uncomfortable. I just try to keep my head down and do my job well. I remember at the end of the day that I feel good about what I have done for my patients and I like who I am. And so does my family. And in some ways I feel bad for these girls. They think so highly of themselves. They thrive on thinking they are better than everyone else. I think they really believe it. Which is sad.

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• Yes, Yes. Being uncomfortable with your coworkers, on top of the stress from the actual job? Who can last?

It is No wonder that nurses aren't being retained. At our facility we have lost at least 5 nurses in the four months I have been there.

• It is certainly not that I care what negativity they are spreading... It's all about the "awkwardness"

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Specializes in ICU.

Insecure low class people spread gossip. They are not worth your time.. Focus on your work.

If someone tries to suck you into their devious web, you have to stop them in their tracks. I would say that "I personally find this conversation offensive. Thats what I think."

I might follow up with management if she is not part of the junior high mentality as well.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, smart minds discuss ideas.

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Specializes in Stepdown . Telemetry.
Small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, smart minds discuss ideas.

That is one of my favorite quotes[emoji4]

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I don't gossip, but that puts a great big target on my back.

Most people who gossip are not nice. Ignoring them makes you vulnerable.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

•Are you a gossiping nurse?

I'm not a gossiping nurse...rather, I'm an introverted nurse. I keep to myself and share very little about my personal life while at work, and this sometimes fuels the fire of certain coworkers.
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There is gossip in any profession. Just because nurses are professionals doesn't mean we aren't human. I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying it's going to happen and it's going to happen no matter the profession.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Funny, I was thinking of posting something similar to this. My unit is similar, and it can be awkward at times. I work with a few very selfish and catty nurses. The kind of girls that never left high school antics in the past. The problem is that those of us who are quiet are scared to say anything about it for fear of being on the bad girl list. If these few girls don't like you or you do something to get on their bad side, then you might as well look for a new job. In essence, they are passive aggressive bullies. Nice to your face, but then want to tell everyone about any mistake you may have made or dumb question you asked. I try not to think about them talking about me because I would probably cry if I knew what they said. But then I get annoyed with myself and think "why do I care? " and the answer is because no one wants to go to work feeling uncomfortable. I just try to keep my head down and do my job well. I remember at the end of the day that I feel good about what I have done for my patients and I like who I am. And so does my family. And in some ways I feel bad for these girls. They think so highly of themselves. They thrive on thinking they are better than everyone else. I think they really believe it. Which is sad.

They don't think highly of themselves at all. They just want you to think that. So many "adults" go through life emotionally stuck in high school. Very sad. Any higher-functioning individuals who can help you gradually change the culture?

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

I don't repeat Gossip...

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