Have you ever worked with someone who had such a nasty attitude that it was almost hostile

springchick1, ADN, RN · Mar 11, 2016

My thoughts are that it was a bad idea to go to the nurse manager and a REALLY bad idea to go over your nurse manager's head. You are brand new. You have no idea how the department works or anything about your coworkers.

I think that you have now painted a target on your back. Keep your head down, learn how to do your job, and try to stay out of trouble.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2016

Did you at least try talking to this other nurse before going over her head?

I think you made a mistake going up the chain of command about this person's attitude. If she didn't like you before, she really isn't going to like you now. If the manager is best buds with her, too, she might not like you either, and that's going to put you in a bad place if they decide they want to get rid of you. Watch your back.

I'd go ahead and start looking for another job because I doubt your relationship with that nurse is salvageable.

And to answer the question that was the topic of this thread - yes, I have worked with lots of people like that. You still have to learn how to get along with them even if their attitude is terrible, and the best way to get along with them is to keep your head down and your mouth shut. I have found it usually takes about a year before the ones with the really bad attitudes warm up to me - but I've never tattled on one of them either. I doubt she will ever warm up to you at all after this.

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 11, 2016

Just off orientation and you're emailing your boss and your boss's boss after one bad shift???

Seriously, what was your thought process?? How did that remotely seem to be a good idea, let alone a proper move professionally?

You should immediately start looking for a new position. You have no chance of being successful in your current position.

And yes, we have all met and worked with folks such as you describe. They're everywhere, in every profession. You'd better decide how to deal with them.

Emergent, RN · Mar 11, 2016

Don't ever go to a NM until you know that she/he is receptive to your negative feedback regarding an established employee.

Sometimes they ARE looking a pattern of misbehavior, other times, such as this one, nasty nurse is their best bud.

And, yes, I've worked with some witches!

Cowboyardee · Mar 11, 2016

Some people suck. Everywhere, and in every field. Some nurses suck. The trick is all in how you deal with it.

I'd love to say that nursing is some utopian profession where kindness, compassion, and justice trump all, but that's just not the truth. Nursing is like everything else - your interpersonal relationships matter; the power dynamics of the unit you're working on matter. As such, I'd say you've acted rashly. Even if your coworker is a known problem and you were 100% in the right, your bosses are now wondering if you're going to be a problem yourself, if you're too thin-skinned, if you're too willing to throw a coworker under a bus, etc.

You WILL meet coworkers who are a problem. Over and over again. Be calm and unflappable (for one because it makes you less of an easy target). Survey the situation, and take your time doing it. You'll inevitably find one of a few things:

- There are various other coworkers who experience the same problems with the person you're dealing with, and have found a way to deal with it. Watch how they do it and take notes mentally. Is your problematic coworker merely a blowhard who everyone can more or less ignore safely? Are they more dangerous than that, to either coworkers or patients? Who on your unit has clout? (usually the unit director - beware of assuming the charge nurse has more power than they do). How do the people with clout feel about you, and how do they feel about the nurse in question. What constitutes an unpardonable sin in their mind and what is brushed off as mere squabbling?

- Or maybe other coworkers cannot effectively deal with the coworker you're having problems with and they effectively drive many people off. Toxic work environment. Look for a way out sooner rather than later, and do it gracefully.

Until people who matter at your workplace decide that you're a valuable team member, you have little protection. It sucks, but that's how it is, and not just in nursing. Deal with it the same way you deal with bullies anywhere else. Don't overreact, don't make yourself an easy target, make friends and allies, and bide your time so that if you do take action you'll know exactly how to do it and how not to do it.

StudentAxel · Mar 11, 2016

You done messed up now!

empatheticRN · Mar 11, 2016

hostile coworkers are everywhere. You just have to learn how to deal with them. If you get over upset about these type of people people overtime, you'll be job hunting every month. I wish you all the best. Trust me I know it can be hard working with some people but unless you were born into money, you'll just have to work side by side with these people.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2016

Let us know what happens

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2016

You complained to your boss and your boss' supervisor about another nurse because she rolled her eyes and made you "feel" like she didn't want you working with her?

Wow. I think that was a cowardly thing to do. You didn't even give your coworker the courtesy of a face to face talk about what happened and the opportunity to explain herself, apologize, or at least hear where you were coming from. You just went straight over her head and ran to the authorities.

You sound like the "hostile" one to me, quite frankly. I don't find your actions particularly professional either.

I don't think this is going to turn out well for you.

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 11, 2016

You complained to your boss and your boss' supervisor about another nurse because she rolled her eyes and made you "feel" like she didn't want you working with her?
Wow. I think that was a cowardly thing to do. You didn't even give your coworker the courtesy of a face to face talk about what happened and the opportunity to explain herself, apologize, or at least hear where you were coming from. You just went straight over her head and ran to the authorities.
You sound like the "hostile" one to me, quite frankly. I don't find your actions particularly professional either.
I don't think this is going to turn out well for you.

Couldn't agree more. I truly cannot understand the mindset behind OP's actions after ONE shift.

FutureRNN · Mar 11, 2016

All of you here are so unsupportive!

Bullies are by no means tolerated. This is lateral violence! If the manager you reported this to does nothing about it then go up the chain of command. Make a big fuss and say you feel threatened. Bullying is not tolerated anymore. You folks here are insane! I have worked in a hospital 18 years and the people that were bullies always ended up out the door. Report them to corporate compliance and if that still doesn't work then they don't deserve a great nurse like you.