Gossiping amongst nurses

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Is it just me that is really tired of nurses gossiping and backstabbing each other?

I've only been at my current job for 1 month now. However, I feel as if all the nurses know each others life story or they've backstabbed another nurse.

Also, so many nurses talk about how badly doctors treat them...Ok, if you treat them with respect...they'll do the same...but then again I'm only the "new young nurse".

I'm starting to believe the saying, "Nurses eat their young".

Specializes in ER, education, mgmt.

Some days, that is the only reason I go into work...just to catch up on the gossip. Is that bad? ;)

^^Nope I don't think it is bad at all. ;-)

I don't spread gossip or lies, but I must admit sometimes it is very interesting to hear.

I will also say to be in a work enviornment with no gossiping/backstabbing would be a great place to work.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
is it just me that is really tired of nurses gossiping and backstabbing each other?

i've only been at my current job for 1 month now. however, i feel as if all the nurses know each others life story or they've backstabbed another nurse.

also, so many nurses talk about how badly doctors treat them...ok, if you treat them with respect...they'll do the same...but then again i'm only the "new young nurse".

i'm starting to believe the saying, "nurses eat their young".

no, it's not just you. nurses gossip and backstab. so do construction workers, physicians, attornies, accountants and pilots. what of it?

you've been at your job for a month, so it stands to reason that employees who have been there longer know each other better. i'm not sure why you're complaining about that. and as far as how badly doctors treat your colleagues -- chances are it has little to do with how respectfully your colleagues are treating them. you haven't been there long enough to understand that dynamic for sure.

so what your post reads to me like is that you've been there about a month and have little respect for your colleauges. then you say that "nurses eat their young." could it possibly be that these other nurses have picked up on your lack of respect for them and are responding in kind?

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i just would say, be careful in the gossiping. it can come around and bite you, even with people that you think are your best friends at work. just listen and don't get involved and do your work and say postive things. the gossiping people tend to be very negative people and are not too happy in their lives.

it seems that you're implying that all gossip is a bad thing. i don't agree. gossip can be as pleasant and as positive as "did you year that ivy got engaged? her ring is beautiful!" or "mark and his girlfriend called off the wedding -- they've eloped to hawaii instead," or "angie's just got back from china with her new baby that they adopted, so she's going to be off over the holidays on parental leave." i'd challenge you to say that the people involved in these discussions are not gossiping or that they're negative, unhappy people.

Specializes in Gerontology.

I hate to point this out QT, but you do you own share of gossiping.

On your other thread about the Doctor's Financee you were very quick to tell us that she was 23 and he was 35. Plus other unflattering stuff about her.

I think that would be good talking Ruby Vee, (good news) not just gossiping. Some gossiping or I quess backstabing is more like talking behind someone's back that can be hurtful. Sorry if I hit a nerve.

It's a strange concept because how is a new nurse supposed to try and fit in or be liked other than follow the status quo? It's tricky because it could end up biting you on the backside. Think back to nursing school. There were the quiet, studious types that everyone either liked or had no negative feelings toward, and then there were the loudmouths who were vocal and you either loved or hated. Which would you rather be? Just play it safe til you earn your stripes is my advice!...and don't date any residents unless you want to be fodder for the next gossip session.

Specializes in Med/Surg, eventually ICU.

I agree with what everyone has said. However, I also want to add that, from my experience in nursing school and some work experience, it helps to be the "dry person" and not naive . Keeping a low profile helps you keep out of the gossip pool. But then again, there WILL always be those people who are curious and will pursue gossiping in the workplace at any cost.:stone

Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.

I totally agree! How did you, QT figure out the surgeons age, his fiancee's age and occupation? Somebody must've told you, through gossip, maybe?

I hate to point this out QT, but you do you own share of gossiping.

On your other thread about the Doctor's Financee you were very quick to tell us that she was 23 and he was 35. Plus other unflattering stuff about her.

Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.

I worked on one unit as a travel nurse where it was not a problem........well, not as much as the other units I've been on anyway.

The manager's response to gossip and petty clawing/biting behaviors was always this:

"This sort of thing tends to be the result of not having enough to do. If I see this behavior going on, I'll adjust ratios and responsibilities to take care of it."

And that was that. I agree with her. It amazes me how people with whine and cry about how mistreated they are, about how unappreciated they are........and then will spend close to half their shift discussing gossip better left for cheap tabloid magazines.

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