I've been working at my current job for almost 3 months. Just a few week off orientation working independently.
Last night I worked with 2 other nurses. One happened to be another new nurse. The nurse that had been there longer had the nastiest attitude I've ever seen. From the moment she saw the assignment posted on the board you could just tell she was upset. I'm not sure why, maybe because she would be working with the two newest nurses? She complained, rolled her eyes, made us feel like she didn't want us to be working with her, made it clear that a certain area was hers, very unhelpful as well. It was completely unprofessional.
I notified the nurse manager. Apparently they are good friends, so that wasn't very helpful with the plan that the two of them had come up with. So I sent an email to someone one step higher than my nurse manager. We'll find out today if anything has changed. Apparently this wasn't the first time that this has been an issue with this nurse. Almost makes me feel like I found the wrong job because of this one employee. Advice? Opinions? Similar situations? Please share, thank you.
Sometimes co-workers act in ways that we wouldn't.
OP, whatever this nurse's issue is or not is on her.
IF you and the other nurse were given unsafe assignments, being undermined and/or set up, the nurse in question declined to assist when you needed assistance from her in a charge role, ignored your updates or otherwise made it unsafe to work, then eye-rolling, sighing, and general juvenile bru-ha-ha is all on her. And as unpleasant as it can make a shift not necessarily hostile.
Would make a poor example of character. But not nursing character, if she is an amazing nurse in function. That she revert back to being a 12 year old when she doesn't get her way is an example of how you are not to act going forward.
Remember, work is work and not work is not work and at work we often don't sing kumbya around the nurse's station--but you need to focus on why you are there--patients.
How funny so many of you say speak to the person directly. I believe this too.. and then three weeks ago I had a little problem and confronted the person face to face in a kind way (with a witness) and she wrote me up for being hostile. Thank Goodness for that witness who was able to back me up. Needless to say the shift is now divided because that nurse is known for thinking her **** don't stink and has told other people she is now after my job. Well jokes on her, I keep to myself and do my job right. I don't speak to her unless its concerning a patient. I could care less about her in general. Also just last week I was praised by a higher up on how well I write my notes. :) Nasty people are everywhere I just hope I get to see the karma smack them in the face one day!
How funny so many of you say speak to the person directly. I believe this too.. and then three weeks ago I had a little problem and confronted the person face to face in a kind way (with a witness) and she wrote me up for being hostile. Thank Goodness for that witness who was able to back me up. Needless to say the shift is now divided because that nurse is known for thinking her **** don't stink and has told other people she is now after my job. Well jokes on her, I keep to myself and do my job right. I don't speak to her unless its concerning a patient. I could care less about her in general. Also just last week I was praised by a higher up on how well I write my notes. :) Nasty people are everywhere I just hope I get to see the karma smack them in the face one day!
No one ever said that going to the nurse first would necessarily solve the problem. But it's where you start, then you advance up the chain if you don't get resolution.
That reminds me of a time I called a nurse at home to discuss an issue. We had been told to go directly to the person. She started crying. Soon thereafter she went to upper management and got me written up for something from that shift, claiming I was negligent, embellishing and making stuff up. Lol, she was a pastor's wife too!
Theoretically, going to the person first is sound and Biblical advice. I've found it backfires.
If you are going to, definitely have a controlled situation with a mediator, knowing you having backing.
Welcome to the "mean girls club!"... They are everywhere you will work in nursing. Do your job, be nice to everyone no matter what. Jump in and help other RNs without being asked. If you are new to a job bring food your first week. You are fitting into their territory you do not want enemies. Life isn't fair, accept it get over yourself. If you are thin, pretty and smart you are a triple threat. They want to hate you, give them every reason not to. Blunt but true. Be humble.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Welcome to the "mean girls club!"... They are everywhere you will work regardless of profession. Do your job, be nice to everyone no matter what. Jump in and help other RNs without being asked. If you are new to a job bring food your first week. You are fitting into their territory you do not want enemies. Life isn't fair, accept it get over yourself. If you are thin, pretty and smart you are a triple threat. They want to hate you, give them every reason not to. Blunt but true. Be humble.
Fixed that for you. Nurses are human; humans are unique. Some are pleasant, some are not.
As for the thin, pretty, smart comment, please. That's not a reason to hate anyone, and if you think that's the reason experienced nurses think, well, just remember, we've been where you are; you haven't yet been where we are.
So I guess all of the people writing that going directly to a nurse with whom you've had a problem will only backfire would also prefer that if you somehow offended a coworker, maybe without even realizing it, you'd prefer they take it directly to management. You'd agree that the offended person should even go over your manager's head to write a letter of complaint about you, blindsiding you, rather than giving you a chance to hear them out and explain yourself, respectfully disagree, or even apologize.
So, OP is never coming back, huh? What a shame- we are probably all bullies now. If this special snowflake could just swallow her pride she may have learned some valuable lessons here.
BSN-to-MSN, ADN, BSN, RN
398 Posts
Oh, yes! I can be that person if my patience is tried too much. Everyone has bad shifts, and the good ones. What's your point, OP?