Hostile nurses- how do you deal with?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health, LTC.

I just remembered! The place I agreed to work ( agency) next weekend has some hostile nurses. UGH!

They work Noc shift, I am doing days. No problem except during report. A few of them who have no need to be in report, will sit there and taunt me. Try to bother me, insult me.

Unprofessional. Disrespectful.

So options are 1) make a written report and leave but this may be against hospital policy.

2) not an option to refuse shifts now that I accepted them.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health, LTC.

Contemplating and came up with answer. We have a right to not be harassed in the work place, a legal protection.

In that case, situation referred to employer who is responsible for protecting employee from harassment and for taking

appropriate measures to insure this.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

Taunt and insult you in report?

Unless they need to be there for report can you ask them to leave?

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I've encountered nurses like that and I've found it works best to smile and be all business. It is tempting to respond to their games but it is usually best to keep it as brief as possible. If someone makes an inappropriate comment you can just look at them with a confused look, and then continue on with business. You do not have to say anything in response! When an unreasonable question is asked you can say "I am not sure that is relevant" or "perhaps that would be better directed toward the doctor" and then continue. If they are really insulting you or being abusive, you might want to involve the supervisor, although do so with caution because it could get worse depending on how effective a leader she/he is. If it is possible to isolate only the nurse who must take report and just deliver it one on one that would be best, but I know that some facilities make this difficult.

Overall, keep it short and sweet and don't forget that you are just as much of a nurse as any of them, if not better. Have confidence in yourself! The only difference is that they are bullies and you are not!

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"I appreciate your concern", "thank you for pointing that out".....

People like this really are seeking a reaction. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of one.

Or.... you could always......

"You have got to be joking. Right? Because I am here for report. I am sure you would like to go home. So lets cut to the chase, and not make this into a high school lunchroom".

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"That's what I love about this unit, it's so fun that y'all don't care about professionalism and ya just have fun" but... they may not understand its sarcasm.

Seriously, I stand up for myself. "Lets be professionals, kids!"

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"Shall we start report now, as I am sure your unicorn is getting restless"

"If we are going to waste time on useless babbling, let's take a moment to thank Mother Earth that I am only but an agency nurse in this facility...."

"I am at a complete loss for words. Help me understand, is this commentary quoting from a patient who needs a psych consult?????"

In all seriousness, be professional. Don't let them get to you. It is a poor reflection of them as nurses and as people.

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Specializes in Emergency.
"Shall we start report now, as I am sure your unicorn is getting restless"

"If we are going to waste time on useless babbling, let's take a moment to thank Mother Earth that I am only but an agency nurse in this facility...."

"I am at a complete loss for words. Help me understand, is this commentary quoting from a patient who needs a psych consult?????"

In all seriousness, be professional. Don't let them get to you. It is a poor reflection of them as nurses and as people.

And in that vein, always consider that they're still upset about that house landing on their sister.

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The best revenge is to smile, be pleasant, and not let them know they are getting to you. Though they may not show it, that totally deflates their balloon. They only do this because they get something out of it.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

Why go looking for trouble? And why worry about it for a week in advance? You're giving them too much power!

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Specializes in LTC, OR.

I'm glad nobody plays such a silly game when I do my reports. Perhaps because I'm a male surrounded by a bunch of the pretty female nurses? :roflmao:

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I'm glad nobody plays such a silly game when I do my reports. Perhaps because I'm a male surrounded by a bunch of the pretty female nurses? :roflmao:

That, scceda, is an alternate thread.....

:sneaky:

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