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??
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.
Only you can toss your self worth into the garbage can. No one else. Don't allow anyone that kind of power over you.
We all know what sjoe says: we will get as much crap as we take.
Again though, it's not worth your time or effort to change such a person. Just don't feel unworthy. Okay?
Wonder why people like that are nurses or secretaries, where they have to deal with people? Were they always like that or did they become that way?
Tweety, BSN, RN
36,258 Posts
Only you can toss your self worth into the garbage can. No one else. Don't allow anyone that kind of power over you.
We all know what sjoe says: we will get as much crap as we take.
Again though, it's not worth your time or effort to change such a person. Just don't feel unworthy. Okay?
Wonder why people like that are nurses or secretaries, where they have to deal with people? Were they always like that or did they become that way?