Horizontal violence is ruining my unit

catlynLPN · Feb 23, 2008

It's the same way where I work, but I work in a small place, there are no other floors or departments for me to move to.

I have to stay there 7 more years to get my retirement in before i can say I quit.

Simplepleasures · Feb 23, 2008

management is aware of the problem, but doesn't seem to care as long as the shifts are covered.the any warm body will do and divide and conquer mentality. if nurses keep treating each other like crud, then what is this shortage going to be like when we get old?

i shudder to think. maybe nurses should give more thought to unionization, what is a union anyway, a group of like minded people who band together for the good of the group.no more divide and conquer.

Becca608 · Feb 23, 2008

I work on a chaotic progressive care unit. It's stressful enough without horizontal violence added to the mix. We can't keep anyone. All the new grads keep quitting because of it. Even two of our seasoned nurses switched departments because of all the in-fighting. Everyone else has to keep working short. Management is aware of the problem, but doesn't seem to care as long as the shifts are covered. It got so bad that one nurse said she couldn't take nursing anymore and left to become a real estate agent. She's been a nurse for 15 years! What do you do, keep switching jobs? I've been working on this unit for over 4 years. I like PCU and don't want to leave. If nurses keep treating each other like crud, then what is this shortage going to be like when we get old?

Horizontal violence has the potential to exist any time you work with others. It is devastating though. Some people are just ....... (insert your own word). And I hate to say it, but the women tend to be worse than the men.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Feb 23, 2008

I kept moving around until I found a supportive and united group. They are out there, but only about 25% (according to my experience). Well worth searching for.

justme1972 · Feb 23, 2008

I have never understood the economic 'sense' of allowing tons of nurses to quit a department in a hospital vs firing the one or two nurses that is probably causing 90% of the problems.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 23, 2008

I hate to hear that you are experiencing this, but I think you need to take heed, pay attention to what those other nurses are doing and hit the road when something else more desireable appears. It is not worth the stress or (most importantly), your license.

One of the disadvantages of this is depending on where you live, other options may not be immediately available. We do have to eat, and we work to live; hopefully not live to work. Good luck.

bollweevil · Feb 24, 2008

I kept moving around until I found a supportive and united group. They are out there, but only about 25% (according to my experience). Well worth searching for.

I'm glad you found it but the trouble is that a good situation can change in the twinkle of an eye. No guarantee that a good thing won't ever go bad. I hope yours doesn't but I think you know what I mean.

bollweevil · Feb 24, 2008

I work on a chaotic progressive care unit. It's stressful enough without horizontal violence added to the mix. We can't keep anyone. All the new grads keep quitting because of it. Even two of our seasoned nurses switched departments because of all the in-fighting. Everyone else has to keep working short. Management is aware of the problem, but doesn't seem to care as long as the shifts are covered. It got so bad that one nurse said she couldn't take nursing anymore and left to become a real estate agent. She's been a nurse for 15 years! What do you do, keep switching jobs? I've been working on this unit for over 4 years. I like PCU and don't want to leave. If nurses keep treating each other like crud, then what is this shortage going to be like when we get old?

What seems to be the problem? And what have you and your peers tried doing to correct it?

queenjean · Feb 24, 2008

I work on a floor that seems to be imploding right now. I can't transfer for a while for a variety of reasons....I really like most of the people I work with, it's just that personalities do NOT mesh with a few folks. So I've decided to be the change I wish to see. I try very hard to NEVER say anything negative about any of my coworkers while at work. I try to smile and great every coworker, asking "How's it going? Do you need some help?" at least once each shift. Another nurse and I are independently trying to recognize everyone's birthday by bringing in goodies (cupcakes, cookies, etc) when they work.

We've only JUST started this. I don't know if it will work or not--but it makes ME feel better. Like I'm not being drawn into it as much. I don't feel badly about myself when I go home from work; let the ones who are being jerks to each other feel that way.

funmom · Feb 28, 2008

What seems to be the problem? And what have you and your peers tried doing to correct it?

The problem seems to be that a few nurses are bent on spreading negativity and targeting other nurses. Malicious rumors and just other hateful behavior is going on. These nurses are in with management so the rest of us don't really stand a chance to defend ourselves. I' ve heard them lie about someone's performance and purposely not pass nursing information along to other nurses. Some of their nursing practices and charting are questionable. In our setup we all share the same patients on shift, so everyone is held liable for the patients even if information was not passed along or if there are bad practices going on. Over the last few years, it has become such a mentally and emotionally drainage position. My co-worker "Rachel" told me that she is so drained and bitter that it's affecting her home life with her husband and son. I don't want to start taking this stuff home with me too. I've got a family and more important things I should be worrying about. It's such an uncomfortable environment for everyone, except those other nurses. A lot of us have gone to the department director to try to deal with this. We're still waiting for something to happen.

funmom · Feb 28, 2008

I forgot to ask something. Any of you other nurses have any ideas on how to create a positive atmosphere? Do you think team building activities would work? We have staff meetings every two weeks. Is it appropriate for us nurses and not our director to bring up the problem then? We always have a few minutes at the end for nursing questions and concerns. Well, I've got to got to head to work now. Wish me luck in surviving that place another morning.