Grumpy Secretary--what would you do?

Don't ya just looooove these folks..I mean come on..everyone has a bad day..but every day? I avoid these types like the plague..cuz actually they ARE the plague..ever notice how people around these folks start to act like them? all grumpy and mean? attitudes DO rub off..I just have minimal contact when needed and go about my biz..I refuse to let that negativity rub off in my direction :)

It may not have anything to do with anyone but her, she may just be venting her frustration and other people take it personally when it's not meant that way, that's a big problem when venting in the workplace, and it is inappropriate, but maybe she can't help herself, she may need a long vacation or a change.

I think the nurse manager or whoever is in charge of the unit needs to handle it, and do some counseling, she needs an attitude adjustment. With all the emphasis on customer satisfaction, at least where I work, I'm surprised that someone could get away with that type of behavior.

I've worked at 3 different hospitals. And there's always one negative person on every unit.

The toughest was my 1st job--it was my supervisor. Everyone that I've talked to that have worked for that hospital--know this nurse supervisor--even when they didn't work on that unit. And the things they heard or 1st hand knew about her weren't good.

The secretary is tough b/c you have to interact with them.

I know I'll never change her. I've never seen her happy.

whenever a co-worker acts inappropriately (including the use of profanity, or temper tantrums) they should be written up. This is a bomb just waiting to go off.

i work w/people like this. i kill em with kindness...if they don't respond it's ok....it's not personal after all so i don't put much thought or concern into it. but i will say, well more than 1/2 the time, after killing em with kindness and being open to LISTEN to them, they DO warm up to me. i get along with nearly everyone, just by showing them interest in THEM and LISTENING carefully to what they have to say. Most people want this much, not much more.

Failing that, remember the problem is HERs, not yours and get on w/life best you can.

i agree, however, any signs of escalation to violence MUST be dealt with.......there is a difference in venting and violence waiting to explode.

We have a unit secretary like this as well. Management has tried attitude adjustment, but it never seems to take. And no one else wants her job, so she stays.

You aren't going to change her behavior or personality and it's not worth the effort.

Just be professional keep it at business level, and report any behavior that affects you and your patient care to management, over and over again. Keep a record is you like. Clarify with the manager whose job it is to answer the call light when the nurses aren't around. Everywhere I've ever worked it has been the secretaries job.

Deb's advise is good as well. Don't be a sourpuss in return. I've melted a lot of sourpusses by not escalating the situation by being a sourpuss myself.

Good luck!

Put a whoopee cushion on her chair.....

I don't understand why managers don't have the guts to fire people like that.

Unit clerks are a dime a dozen.

Originally posted by Ruby Vee

We have a unit secretary like this as well. Management has tried attitude adjustment, but it never seems to take.

We have one too. We did have the "happy" ward clerk but the grumpy one was soooo mean and angry toward her that she finally gave up and left.

WC talks too much, doesnt order supplies, leaves STAT orders sitting for hours and then doesnt sent a copy to pharm for the meds we need !!! Shes a dinosauer and its time to go.

I usually check my charts periodicly (knowing her ways) and I just p/u any orders I catch. When we get a float WC on the unit we nurses are amazed at how EFFICENT and friendly they are !!!

NM has promised to "deal" with her when she returns from vaction-we'll see.............

The WC/secratary is a vital part of an efficent unit, they welcome the pts and families and should try to be helpful to all for the good of the unit................