How do you deal with personal attacks at work?

Orion81RN · Jun 10, 2018

Sounds exactly like my first job at a LTC. There were only a few RNs and the rest of the 200+ bed facility was LPNs. I learned SO much from them, but had to leave due to outright bullying and childish behavior. They were pissed that the facility was phasing out LPNs and took it out on us.

They would literally say when asked a question, "You're the REGISTERED Nurse, you figure it out.

I've since worked with wonderful LPNs. The first place just happened to be a toxic environment, and I'm glad to see it is not the norm.

caliotter3 · Jun 10, 2018

Found that type of behavior to be the norm in all the LTC facilities where I worked. Also noted that a great deal of the behavior centered around the observation that those engaging in this often group-centered behavior had something in common with each other that I did not. Now I avoid seeking work in such places.

NewRN'16, ADN, RN · Jun 10, 2018

Thank you for your replies. I previously worked in acute care but went to rehab/LTC for convenience/closer to home. Huge mistake I made I won't describe in details what is happening, but you can just imagine. I come home and cry.. I've already suffered of anxiety, this is physically getting me ill. Yes, they do gang up.

What am I to do except changing jobs?

Tenebrae, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2018

I had a very challenging enrolled nurse (our equivalent of an LPN) in my first facility who would go as far as publically lambasting me because I wouldnt do things her way. After about six months of standing my ground and feeling rather ground down I chose to give up the one shift I worked with her because the stress really wasnt worth it.

As for the LPN's being phased out and them being pissy about it. How about a direct acknowledgement "hey guys, it really sucks that management is doing what they are doing to you all. Thats decision making way above my pay-grade so can we just all get on and do our best for our patients"

And I would be looking for another job. Some people are so ingrained in their behaviour you have no show in hell of changing it and all that often happens in those situations is that you get ground down.

allnurses Guide · Jun 10, 2018

It is a universal spiritual axiom that nothing can disturb you if you do not allow yourself to be disturbed.

I've dealt with these types both in and out of nursing and can positively state it's never about any deficiency you have but all about them.

Look for another job, leave and move on.

Hppy

LoveMyRNlife · Jun 10, 2018

It is a universal spiritual axiom that nothing can disturb you if you do not allow yourself to be disturbed.
I've dealt with these types both in and out of nursing and can positively state it's never about any deficiency you have but all about them.
Look for another job, leave and move on.
Hppy

I couldn't agree more Hppy! Some people thrive on conflict to make themselves feel alive. I am dealing with a similar situation and have chosen to move on. Life is too short to deal with that day in and day out. To the OP, keep your head up and find a place you will be happy at.

Sour Lemon · Jun 10, 2018

I have read previous articles on this topic, but I am dealing with abusive co workers now, who act so childish and idiotic, I have no words for it.
I am an RN working in LTC.
Are they jealous I am RN and they are PNs? Is it plain stupidity?
I am preparing my resume to go apply and work elsewhere.
This is a toxic environment for me .

Well, this is a BIG change from your "I'm a new grad nurse" thread.

TriciaJ, RN · Jun 10, 2018

Thank you for your replies. I previously worked in acute care but went to rehab/LTC for convenience/closer to home. Huge mistake I made I won't describe in details what is happening, but you can just imagine. I come home and cry.. I've already suffered of anxiety, this is physically getting me ill. Yes, they do gang up.
What am I to do except changing jobs?

Here's how toxic workplaces work: you start with one toxic person that management won't deal with. Maybe they're that desperate for staff; maybe you just have a weak manager. A few other people start losing inhibition and join the toxic person. Better than being a target. The people who refuse to play along and get fed up with useless management go on to other jobs. The toxic people stay and fester.

Over time fewer and fewer decent people stick around. You join the clique or get run off. Even a change in management at this point won't solve the problem without a fight. It's probably just best to find a new job.

Have Nurse, ADN, RN · Jun 10, 2018

I have read previous articles on this topic, but I am dealing with abusive co workers now, who act so childish and idiotic, I have no words for it.
I am an RN working in LTC.
Are they jealous I am RN and they are PNs? Is it plain stupidity?
I am preparing my resume to go apply and work elsewhere.
This is a toxic environment for me .

Sounds like you've answered your own dilemma.

Medic_Murse, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 10, 2018

I usually walk around, during handoff, with a big ol' baseball bat and say...

A man becomes preeminent, he's expected to have enthusiasms. Enthusiasms, enthusiasms... What are mine? What draws my admiration? What is that which gives me joy? Baseball! A man stands alone at the plate. This is the time for what? For individual achievement. There he stands alone. But in the field, what? Part of a team. Teamwork... Looks, throws, catches, hustles. Part of one big team. Bats himself the live-long day, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and so on. If his team don't field... what is he? You follow me? No one. Sunny day, the stands are full of fans. What does he have to say? I'm goin' out there for myself. But... I get nowhere unless the team wins.

Never have an issue.

macawake, MSN · Jun 10, 2018

I am dealing with abusive co workers now, who act so childish and idiotic, I have no words for it.
I am an RN working in LTC.
Are they jealous I am RN and they are PNs? Is it plain stupidity?

It's hard to speculate regarding what motivates their poor behavior towards you. OP, when I reply to the kinds of posts which deals with relationships with coworkers/work environment, I usually have a quick glance at previous threads started by the person asking for advice to get a "better feel" for them. I read the thread that Sour Lemon referred to. The way you talked about other new nurses in that thread was frankly rather off-putting and the way you viewed floor work was in my opinion overly idealistic and not remotely realistic. I don't know if you've since lost those "rose-colored glasses" and gained some empathy for those of your coworkers who struggle, or if you still feel that way and you've displayed that attitude at your current place of work? An attitude like that could certainly rub people the wrong way and be the source of friction/conflict.

Please note that I'm not saying that anyone ever deserves being "ganged up" on, but after reading some of your previous threads, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that a condescending holier-than-thou attitude to others who are struggling at work for whatever reason, normally won't make people friendly inclined towards you. It's just food for thought. A lot can happen in one year and at this point in time I might be way off base, in which case you should completely disregard my "sage" advice.

The reason I brought up your old thread is because in this new thread you refer to the behavior of your coworkers as childish and idiotic and ask if they are jealous and stupid. You are using very negative and rather emotionally charged words to describe their behavior, but you aren't supplying any details about their behavior. Incomplete information leaves a lot of room for interpretation. It is of course entirely possible that they have earned each and every negative label you've assigned them, and that you've behaved impeccably towards your colleagues. I mean that sincerely and if that is the case, I am genuinely sorry that you are a target/victim of workplace abuse.

I realize that my reply to you might elicit a defensive response even if you've played some part in the conflict and in case you haven't contributed to your current problematic situation at all, it will feel like an unfair attack. Please realize that I don't know you or the other persons involved, and I don't know the particulars of what's happened in your place of work. I can only go by the information available to me.

How do you deal with personal attacks at work?

That's difficult to answer since you haven't described any specific incidents/situations. While it might well be a smart idea to not get into any details on a public forum since that might make you identifiable to people you work with, it does make it harder to offer any helpful advice.

I won't describe in details what is happening, but you can just imagine. I come home and cry.. I've already suffered of anxiety, this is physically getting me ill. Yes, they do gang up.

This sounds miserable. I'm very sorry you are experiencing this. A job environment that does this to a person is as you've correctly identified; a toxic work environment. No job is worth your emotional and/or physical health.

I am preparing my resume to go apply and work elsewhere.
This is a toxic environment for me .

What am I to do except changing jobs?

I think that you've already reached a conclusion on your own regarding your available choices. Protect your wellbeing and your health! (and take bathroom and meal breaks, even if no one is there to remind you )

I really do wish you the best!