how to handle coworker

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2011

What kind of facility to you work in? How closely do your jobs overlap? Are you caring for the same patients and working together on the same assignment? Or are you simply working the same shift on the same block?

If you're taking care of the same patients, then being able to communicate effectively is a priority. If you feel like it's a problem and you're jeopardizing patient care then ask to sit down with her before or after a shift. Tell her you'd like to come up with ways that the two of you can work together better. Ask her how she feels the shift is going and where she thinkgs you both can improve. An open discussion can help you both clear the air and work effectively.

If you both have your own assignments but cover each other on breaks then I think it's just something that you have to learn to work with. Your personality is not always going to mesh with everyone you work with. Sure it's hard going from working with someone who is a friend to someone you only tolerate, but it's work. You don't have to be best buds with everyone at work, you just have to be able to get the job done. If it's a matter of her sense of humor, you can't expect her to change her personality or for management to change assignments just because she doesn't joke around. If it's her job performance that concerns you - frequently leaving the unit- that's an issue you should bring up with your manager seperate from the change of assignments.

Learning to work with co-workers that we don't mesh with on a personal level is a skill that will benefit you your entire career.

OCNRN63, RN · Nov 21, 2011

When I started working at my place of employment I was teamed up with an awsome nurse we got (and still do get) along great we had awesome teamwork got all side projects done, then the management got a great idea to flip a bunch of people around not the best move I'd have to say...
Now I'm teamed up with another nurse who is well dead pan, cant take a joke, doesnt smile, mind is still stuck on the other unit, not on the unit for half of the night, families have complained about her, she has this way of talking where it sounds like shes telling you and being nasty about it when she really isnt.... I honestly dont know how to take her, shes ok outside of work but in work I cant stand being around her. Im nice try to help with things but nothing seems to work. and management doesnt want to move anyone back for 90 days...
The other nurse and I dont click (you can tell she doesnt like the unit), and my friend who got moved is highly stressed out and is ready to have a breakdown. Everyone was moved about a month ago, plenty of time to adjust, but it just doesnt seem to be working.
I use to love going to work but now I cringe and wish the weekend could be another day longer.
What should I do? It seems that no amount of talking to management is working.

Maybe try to be more understanding? How would you feel if you were yanked away from the unit you liked and put somewhere else? Sounds like your mgmt. treats nurses like pegs that can just be placed anywhere on a whim.

purple10 · Nov 22, 2011

we work in LTC, My new partner is ok outside of work, I understand she is still trying to learn all of her people and all of their quirks. My friend is a creature of habbit and it just may take longer for her to settle in. I have heard other people state they dont know how to take my new partner. We work on the same unit we dont "share" the pts but if need be we help each other like ' I'll do your dressing so you can get caught up on charting' sort of thing. Most days it isnt too bad but others eh well...

Management was thinking 'fresh eyes see new things' yeah ok the most the nurses see is tunnel vision to get the meds passed to the pts they only know by name band to mar matching. some of the pts are so upset by the change in their routine that even they and their families have complained, but management has said whats done is done.

mazy · Nov 22, 2011

If your friend is stressed out to the max and is ready to have a breakdown, then it's just possible that your new co-worker is as well.

But it sounds like she is someone who is willing to share with you in the picking up of the slack on the floor and that is a very rare and wonderful trait in a co-worker, so don't let that slip away.

I would say to give her some time to get used to things, and be understanding of the fact that she may be trying to do the best she can while going through some very distressing personal feelings about the transfer. And it sounds other staff and patients haven't exactly been thrilled about all the upheaval either so she may not feel exactly welcome, which can be really depressing.

Sometime when we're upset about big life changes we aren't always the best or most likeable person we can be. I know that's true for me.