Our secretary never smiles. She always complains whether anyone is listening to her or not. The first day of orientation I was told to go to the unit I'll work--I did. There was "the happy" secretary and "the grumpy" secretary there. All I remember is how inviting and cordial "the happy" secretary was...but "the grumpy" one made me nervous. I forget the first sentence she said--it was not directed to me--but a call she had just received and all I remember was profanity came out of her mouth.
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Anyway I haven't thought of that moment until today.
I started at this hospital last January--I move around units. But this one unit I've been working at mostly lately.
"The grumpy" secretary I would just take with a grain of salt. I never would take anything serious with her. If she started yelling in my direction I knew it wasn't me--it's just the way she is.
I have to interact with her. I think most people don't get the brunt of her anger b/c they don't answer the call light. I dread call lights that don't get answered. Well the call light machine is next to her so I go answer it--ugh.
Only once has someone gone head to head with her about her attitude--the two of them had a yelling match at the desk. The one girl is one of the most calm, gratious aides we have. Otherwise she doesn't seem to "personally" attack people--at least not to there face.
None the nurses ever say anything about her bad attitude.
The last time I worked she started getting on my nerves. She was starting to complain to me--I had a question about the computer--and an order. She wasn't too happy with me. I stayed calm--tried to explain. Got through that problem. Even though she was showing signs of increase anger--I stayed remarkably calm.
I'm wondering how you would deal with someone like this??
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................
Geez, I kinda resent that.....I've been a Unit Secretary for four years, and although it's not the career of my dreams (that would be why I'm in nursing school) I do enjoy my job and take pride in doing it well. The people I work with seem to respect me and my work ethic, and it's easy to be pleasant to people who appreciate you!
I will say, though, that there are a lot of snippy nurses out there too.....are they a dime a dozen as well?????
Rotten Nurse-that was a mean and totally untrue statement! Unit clerks are part of the team too-they accomplish alot. How would you like to be "minimized " like that. Andre, I respect what you do, please don't think we all feel the way Rotten Nurse does!
I disagree, unit clerks are not a dime a dozen . That remark is rude and unnecessary. I do agree that sometimes when behavior gets out of hand write up is necessary. Otherwise, be kind and professional. Do not gossip about this person. Do not attempt to make the job any harder than it is on this clerk. I have spent many a shift wishing for a good clerk, even a grouchy one. Come on guys, lets show some respects for each member of the team.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
could it be, rude 'tudes are a prelude to workplace violence? And what better way to escalate it by making things worse? I think catching flies with honey is much more desireable in most cases. I think sometimes, we see in others undesireable traits in ourselves....sorta like "mirroring"......
give respect, get some. It usually works...at least with the vast majority. But do NOT do things you know would make it worse. I agree w/barefoot lady. Treat this person w/the respect you would like back.....and don't take her personally.
My pet-peeve is managers who just will not deal with employees who make things harder for everyone, like your sec'y.
I wish they would see that getting rid of a bad employee (be it nurse, CNA, sec'y, dietary, housekeeping or whomever) improves the morale of eveyone else, and makes getting things done so much easier and more pleasant.
I know you, Rotten Nurse. You bumped into me in the CCU the other night, and I apologized. I came for a line draw (your responsibility), but you snarled at me when I approached you with the label, and barked at me to give you a syringe. You barely acknowledged the patient, and when you handed me the syringe I said thank you. You walked out with your nose in the air, tossing your gloves in the garbage along with my self-worth.
"You aren't going to change her behavior or personality and it's not worth the effort."
Right. Fortunately it is NOT your job to fix her. She's the one who has/gets to live in the dismal swamp she creates--others are merely brief visitors.
"I don't understand why managers don't have the guts to fire people like that."
debRNo1
139 Posts
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................