Gossip Girls... (And boys)

[ambobam]

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...)

[ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN]

Gossip is for people who feed on negative energy.

The person who sucks all the energy out of the room with their ******** moaning and whining brings everyone down. There's always one and they enjoy the attention and playing people against each other.

If you are in gossiping bullying unit you need to redirect the conversation to neutral topics like the weather sports movies concerts books cooking home improvements etc.

Gossip is just a time suck. Dont listen to it dont comment dont get involved.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

Sports is *not* a neutral topic.

[dec2007]

Gossip is for people who feed on negative energy.

The person who sucks all the energy out of the room with their ******** moaning and whining brings everyone down. There's always one and they enjoy the attention and playing people against each other.

If you are in gossiping bullying unit you need to redirect the conversation to neutral topics like the weather sports movies concerts books cooking home improvements etc.

Gossip is just a time suck. Dont listen to it dont comment dont get involved.

Cant "like" this enough!!!

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

There is a big difference between venting to each other or seeking counsel about a situation - which we all do or have done and which is a healthy thing - and talking about someone maliciously behind their back. Granted, sometimes the line can be blurry, but I feel like the distinction should be made when possible.

And no, I spend zero time worrying about what people who don't sign my paycheck say about me behind my back. There was a time in my life when I would have (and did) but at this point I don't. At all. Wasted time and energy.

There is also a difference between chatting "Such and so is so funny!! I was thinking about that comment over coffee this morning...." and gossiping "Such and so must have marital problems because...."

All about intent...

[No Stars In My Eyes]

Gossip is for people who feed on negative energy.

The person who sucks all the energy out of the room with their ******** moaning and whining brings everyone down. There's always one and they enjoy the attention and playing people against each other.

My gosh, you just described my mother-in-law to a "T" !

[RLJS]

Me too. I'm cordial and helpful to everyone but I know who the troublemakers, backstabbers and negative nellies are and I keep my distance. I'm usually too busy anyway. When I'm done with my work, I try to help others, especially my techs. When it's time to do my charting, I usually go to an alcove on my hallway with my WOW for the peace and quiet. I avoid hanging out at the nurses station where the clique and gossip mongers chat. I work nights and we work well as a team...most of the problem children seem to work on the day shift. They are so negative when they come in in the morning that I can't wait to get out of there after report

[rudecat]

Gossiping is a form of violence. I had worked with a few nurses in a small unit where not only the nurses gossiped but the manager as well

A very unhealthy situation . If you like your job ( other than these few nurses) and you can tolerate their lack of respect for you and others then you have a decision to make

If it's to the point where it effects your well-being them perhaps it's time to move on. I eventually did . Good luck with whatever you decide

[No Stars In My Eyes]

I had worked with a few nurses in a small unit where not only the nurses gossiped but the manager as well

A very unhealthy situation.

You jogged my memory! When I moved to the South, lo, these many years ago, I naturally went looking for a job. This was in the days before computers, so I went to the office of a *chain-name* nursing service to fill out an application. While I was doing so, the receptionist went into an office where a few nurses were, the office door was wide open, and they didn't speak in a normal conversational tone. It was more like they were trying to talk over each other, which became progressively louder. It was impossible to block out, and I couldn't believe my ears! Heck, they were hateful as hell; I stood up, tore my application into little pieces and deposited them on the receptionist's desk just before I walked out the door and never looked back.

They were appalling.