Hostile environment

[Pam RN]

I need to vent and get some opinions about coworker hostility. I'm in a free-standing surgicenter that a friend recruited me. I've been there for almost and year and at times it's great and other times I go home wanting to shed some tears. Gee, that's everywhere you must be saying but I know the source of the frustration is some negative, unhappy people spreading their misery on all of us. I've never seen some of the most miserable, hostile, passive-agressive, back-biting people in my life. Most of them are scrub techs in the waning years of their careers in surgery and I guess it must be the grave yard where they plan to retire from.

Our RN staff in the OR is low and the boss hasn't made a move to fill a vacant position. They use scrub techs in circulating roles at times and that leaves me feeling uncomfortable being the overseer of their work, which I have verbalized to the supervisor on numerous occasions. One tech in particular is the instigator of a majority of the gossip and negativity that goes around and is very crafty at getting the doctors on her side. When she's not working the place is very different. Low key, people just go about their own business. It's tough to deal with her and I've only heard one person make mention of my above complaints to me. So, then that makes me feel paranoid that I'm "just being sensitive."

What's the working environment like at your place? Do you feel the RN's get respect? Do the scrub techs rule the roost? I used to work in a hospital OR with a mostly RN staff and did not have the same treatment or uneasy feelings I do at this place.

[nubes]

Dear Pam;

I so totally understand your feelings. We do not have scrub tecn. here in UK, but there is a very hostile environment where I work amonst the RN's. I have reached the conclusion that some people have been in their job so long, that they have lost the vision of why they went into to nursing. Some seem to delight in stirring up trouble especially for new staff because in some twisted way this makes them feel better about themselves, and gives them a power trip. I suppose it is because they feel very threatened by your expertise and this is the only way they see of pulling you down. Do not let them succeed.

The way I have dealt with the problem is to take a step back and think about the job. Do I really want it for the time being? What period of time am I willing to invest in it to see it possibly get better? We all have our standards of excellence, and must take decisions that can affect them on a daily basis.

Be professional, do not lower yourself to their level of horizontal harrassment and gossip. Someone, somewhere is watching and you will be noticed. If after a time you still see no improvement, just move on! It is not a failure... it is a new opportunity.

So go girl, chin up ... chest out... it sounds like your patients really need you right there!

[irynn]

hi,

i went thru the same situation and i just ignore them, slowly when they know that we dont bother about them, they just slowy slow down. as you said life got to goes on

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

Nubes,

You are our inspiration ! I enjoyed your reply to this thread

Thanks !

LPN 90

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

They use scrub techs in circulating roles at times and that leaves me feeling uncomfortable being the overseer of their work, which I have verbalized to the supervisor on numerous occasions.

Boy that's asking for a lawsuit after a disaster. Have they read AORN recommendations lately? How about state laws?

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

What's the working environment like at your place? Do you feel the RN's get respect? Do the scrub techs rule the roost? I used to work in a hospital OR with a mostly RN staff and did not have the same treatment or uneasy feelings I do at this place.

Our work environment is pretty good most of the time.

We have the opposite problem with a few RNs where i work, who have no problem telling the techs to their face (literally, with their face right in front of thiers) that they don't belong there, have no place in the OR, etc. The same people will whine about the lack of teamwork in the dept. (actually, i think the teamwork issue lies with them, no one wants to work with bullies).

[Marvie]

I need to vent and get some opinions about coworker hostility. I'm in a free-standing surgicenter that a friend recruited me. I've been there for almost and year and at times it's great and other times I go home wanting to shed some tears. Gee, that's everywhere you must be saying but I know the source of the frustration is some negative, unhappy people spreading their misery on all of us. I've never seen some of the most miserable, hostile, passive-agressive, back-biting people in my life. Most of them are scrub techs in the waning years of their careers in surgery and I guess it must be the grave yard where they plan to retire from.

Our RN staff in the OR is low and the boss hasn't made a move to fill a vacant position. They use scrub techs in circulating roles at times and that leaves me feeling uncomfortable being the overseer of their work, which I have verbalized to the supervisor on numerous occasions. One tech in particular is the instigator of a majority of the gossip and negativity that goes around and is very crafty at getting the doctors on her side. When she's not working the place is very different. Low key, people just go about their own business. It's tough to deal with her and I've only heard one person make mention of my above complaints to me. So, then that makes me feel paranoid that I'm "just being sensitive."

What's the working environment like at your place? Do you feel the RN's get respect? Do the scrub techs rule the roost? I used to work in a hospital OR with a mostly RN staff and did not have the same treatment or uneasy feelings I do at this place.

Scrub techs in the role of OR circulator is a violation of AORN standards, goes against patient saftey protocols, and is reportable.