Handling rude co workers

Nurses Relations

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Anybody else ever had to deal with rude co workers? I have no idea what I have ever done to these females. This one in particular is the charge nurse. If I ask her one little thing, the look on her face is as if she'd rather die than talk to me. I really don't understand it. She trained me for goodness sake & was very friendly in the beginning. I went on vacation, came back & if looks could kill...Another nurse, in started with, she was cool at first, too, but now since her & the charge nurse have gotten tight, she walks around rolling her eyes at me, too. I don't understand it at all. I come to work, do my job, don't talk crap about anyone, yet I get mean-mugged. I try not to let it bother me, but of course it's going to bother me, especially because I don't know what I did to them! It makes a 12 hr shift extremely unpleasant. Should I ask them what's their problem with me? Or just do my 12 hrs, get out of there & forget about them?

Specializes in Hospice.
hmmm.... now we may be seeing the genesis of your problem!

Actually, I didn't take that as snarky. I think the poster was referring to my own description of my naturally down turned mouth.

I had a same issue with a nurse. Just rude to me for no reason at all, at the nurses desk in front of everyone. I'm not good with confrontations and I had no idea what to do. I did have to report her to my manager when she treated me unprofessionally in a patients room in front of the patient and family. After that, what I did was killed her with kindness. Even when she was the meanest. This way, she made herself look stupid being hateful to someone who is nice to her.

This has been a few months now and I've learned that it might or might not have been personal. Working with her more just seems like she's not very nice in general. But her rudeness toward me has stopped. If I hear her being mean to another I'm my presence, I call her out simply by saying "that was rude and uncalled for." I think she's SLOWLY getting the hint!

Specializes in hospice.
If I hear her being mean to another I'm my presence, I call her out simply by saying "that was rude and uncalled for." I think she's SLOWLY getting the hint!

Probably the first time someone has had the balls to call her out. Good job.

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Could you take the nurse aside and just ask her this question? It would be interesting to see what her response would be......

Yes. There are some people who won't like you, for whatever reason, valid or not. I don't put much effort into trying to persuade such people to like me. That's a waste of time as far as I'm concerned. I just remain cordial and focus on coworkers who are on the fence, the ones who actually might or do like me. For instance: there is one RN I work with whose daughter is my age, and an aide with 5 kids. I know her daughter and was always on friendly terms with her. Our lives just went separate ways. Although I have never done anything to her or her mother, mom is simply rude toward me. Well, she's cordial, but I can tell she doesn't really like me. Based on the things she has said, I wonder if she's not upset that HER daughter isn't a nurse. Not that it really should matter, but my point is someone not liking you is more about THEM and their own issues than you...

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Could you take the nurse aside and just ask her this question? It would be interesting to see what her response would be......

That MAY help the situation. :yes:

You never know what someone's body language is all about; it may not be about YOU.

When working in nursing you have to have thick skin and you just have to let the catty crap roll off your shoulder's and don't take it personal whether it be patients,co-workers or family members, also It could be jealousy for whatever reason so either let it go and. Them be great or. Approach the Situation respectively good luck

I see what you're saying...maybe they see me that way because I keep quiet & keep to myself. I do this on purpose because in the past I've been burned by 'work friends' & don't want the same thing to happen again. I just want to do my job in a pleasant environment & go home.

Thank you!!

Going through this myself, esp as I have gotten older. All I wish to do is my job...well...in a supported work environment.

Sure is...childish! And the **** talk....I work straight nights and some ore terrible. That clique is somewhat broken up now thank goodness. But I really try to stay away from gossip, help everyone...try to be cheerful..

Gets more and more difficult.

Feel very little support.....

When working in nursing you have to have thick skin and you just have to let the catty crap roll off your shoulder's and don't take it personal whether it be patients,co-workers or family members, also It could be jealousy for whatever reason so either let it go and. Them be great or. Approach the Situation respectively good luck ��

VERY difficult to do...but my brother tells me this too.

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