Hateful Coworkers

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 11, 2005

The DON needs to be aware of what's going on or it will continue.

Kelly_the_Great · Dec 11, 2005

Tam74,

Don't feel bad. Some places (like ppl) just suck. If they've already ran off several nurses since you've been there in just 5 months, sounds like the greatest common denominator is probably their facility & environment, you know?

Five months is long enough to get the general feel of the milieu you're workin' in.

Are you able to network with any of the nurses in your community to get an idea of some of the better work environments and where they're happy?

azrn22 · Dec 13, 2005

I graduated last June and have been at my job for about 5 months now.My major problem is hatefull coworkers,some of them are just dreadful. They leave me left over duties from their shift and thats no problem,but if I am not for sure about how to do something ,such as paperwork that I havent been shown before they have a temper tantrum roll their eyes slam down charts and so on.And its not just a nurse or two its office staff also .They have already run off several nurse in the 5 months I have been there.I don't want to sound like a hippy but the whole place has bad vibes. I keep telling myself just hang in there one more day it will get better.Some days are better but some are worse.If it was not for the residents I wouldn't go back tomarrow.
I am going to have to find another job,but I worry the next one will be like this one until I get more experience under my belt.
Just wondering if anyone else has had to deal with this kind of situation.

Hello Tam74,

I am having the same problem, although it is better now after 14 months. There are still a few hateful people. I can't figure it out. The big problem remaining now is the anal-obsessive compulsive rn's. One in particular, they call the Ice Princess, is cold to people and patients. She is moody. She is charge a lot and she always finds time to read her gossip mags. She bathes, medicates, charts, sets up scheduling and makes personal phone calls all before the 1/2 way mark in the shift. She is always out of report in 15min max. I am 2hrs charting after report. Anyway, I am trying to say that if I am not as anal as she then I am worthless and lazy. This causes a lot of stress.

Good luck.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2005

Sorry to hear you're having a hard time with the co-workers. That's not something you should have to put up with. I agree with Marie, the DON should be made aware of this. If they've done it for the 5 months that you've been there (and it's probable it's gone on long before you even started) it will keep continuing, there's no reason for them to stop, unless someone is notified.

If I were you I would probably start looking elsewhere for a job. Please don't think that it's like this everywhere. I work with some really great people. All my co-workers (nurses, docs, unit clerks, housekeeping, techs, etc) have been absolutely wonderful. They're always real friendly and helpful. In the almost 3 months that I've been working there, I've had a problem with 2 nurses. 1 was a float pool nurse that I hadn't even met before ..... I worked with her one day and that was it, she upset me. I only saw her that one day, she works days and I work nights now. There's a nurse on night shift that I work with on occasion and my first night working with her we had a little problem .... she was less helpful and understanding than some of the other nurses. But it wasn't too bad. For the most part it's great and everyone is helpful. You'll always have a bad apple here and there. But to work in an environment where it's CONSTANTLY hateful, negative, and rude .... that's not right and there is absolutely NO reason whatsoever that you should have to work in a place like that.

Good luck to you, I hope you can find a better environment to work in! :)

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Dec 13, 2005

I am sorry for what you are going through. I hope that things get better for you. Let us know if you plan on going to the DON w/ your concers and the outcome.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 13, 2005

If after notifyin the DON, there is no improvement...............seek employment eslewhere. You should be treated with respect and shouldn't have to have this added stress. Best wishes to you. :balloons:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2005

For me, and this is for me personally, there's a fine line between hanging in there and hoping things get better, and knowing when to leave. I've left a few positions, but hung in with the same hospital the last 13 years.

As sad as it is sometimes it's best to leave rather than try to change toxic environment, because otherwise I become toxic myself.

Good luck to you.

wombatsam · Dec 14, 2005

I am in a situation much the same.... I work as an RN in Australia. I have a coworker that is constantly saying things that have upset me including remarks about my disability. I am a hearing impaired RN i wear 2 hearing aids. My complete frustration is that after gearing myself up to confront her about upsetting me, she shoots me down by denying it was ever said. I know this is discrimination and harrassment and I'm taking it further!!! I won't be happy walking out of that place if I don't have peace of mind that something is going tob e done. I may be a lucky one as I only have 4 weeks left in this rotation then I go back to the ward I love. I am also a 1st year nurse. I thinks it's high time we stood up for ourselves and sort these places out!!!! Think of it as Quality Improvement!!!!!! I feel for you all, I know how you are feeling. Let's do something about it!!!!!

lookingbeyond, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2009

I graduated last June and have been at my job for about 5 months now.My major problem is hatefull coworkers,some of them are just dreadful. They leave me left over duties from their shift and thats no problem,but if I am not for sure about how to do something ,such as paperwork that I havent been shown before they have a temper tantrum roll their eyes slam down charts and so on.And its not just a nurse or two its office staff also .They have already run off several nurse in the 5 months I have been there.I don't want to sound like a hippy but the whole place has bad vibes. I keep telling myself just hang in there one more day it will get better.Some days are better but some are worse.If it was not for the residents I wouldn't go back tomarrow.
I am going to have to find another job,but I worry the next one will be like this one until I get more experience under my belt.
Just wondering if anyone else has had to deal with this kind of situation.

Thank you...I am very discouraged tonight...crying...mean people in the world....I would never. Thanks for sharing your heart.

emilysmom,RN · Feb 8, 2009

I have the same problem. I have worked on my unit for 4months now. It is a very busy medsurg floor and I work nites so we get all the paperwork stuff that needs to be done. THere are things that come up that I did not know and in AM report they say you know you could have filled this form out last nite. And they ask me things like how do they transfer (they sleep on my shift), what ABX are they on (I do not always get in it report and I dont give them). There are things that I should have done or something I missed in chart checks. I am doing my very best and I feel that is just not good enough. NOt all nurses are like that just a few but I am the lucky one who gets them. I do work twice a month at a close LTC facility that I have worked as an CNA for a few years. THey are training me to be a relief supervisor. I do enjoy it and it is alot less stress. Or I should say it is a different kind of stress. We give report by phone and tape. NO eye rolls or no one to make you feel stupid. I have asked the LTC place if I can work one nite a week there and I would lower my nites to 3 at the hosp. THat way I can keep my hosp experience going and still make some money and get more experience as a supervisor.

Hang in there

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Feb 8, 2009

Thank you...I am very discouraged tonight...crying...mean people in the world....I would never. Thanks for sharing your heart.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Please know that we're rooting for your success over here. :icon_hug: I want to encourage you to take the high road, learn what you need to learn, and be able to leave if it becomes necessary.

If you look at the date of the first post, you'll see that this is a common problem in nursing. It's just a darn shame that anyone should have to be subjected to this kind of treatment. :crying2: