How do you deal with personal attacks at work?

[NewRN'16]

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 .

[Paws2people]

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

Reality set in. Honeymoon phase is over :-)

[Qing]

Okay, I get the feeling that you are in an environment that really doesn't support team work or working together for the greater good. There are those people who hold things against you just because you are different (whether justified or not). Jealousy is a big problem, where people don't realize that just because you have a title or appear like everything is good... it could be far from it. How you present yourself could make a difference too, as they may not see you as how you think you present yourself.

The way you are describing things, I think it is better you get another position somewhere else, its not worth your health and mind to suffer like this. You are miserable and it is better you are happy. Not every place is like this, but its not worth it for you to stay there and be miserable. If people could be more mature and work together for the greater good, there wouldn't be so many problems.

[osceteacher]

why do you presume they are 'practical nurses'? I worked at a job where i ran circles around the almighty RNs and most sure cop an ego problem about that extra year of college. Are you sure you aren't projecting yourself of some self anointed genius because in the long run, having the money to afford one extra year does not translate to being a brain surgeon vs a janitor. Give me a well seasoned C student LPN with common sense over some of these supposedly impressive RNs that were book smart but were substandard, even dangerous floor nurses. That extra year of school that in many cases your sugar daddy or that wealthy father or mother could buy by no means should place you on some pedestal where you or your ego feels threatened by some 'glorified nurse's aid', as many of you call LPNs.

Well, that escalated quickly. I think the most laughable part of your rant was this

why do you presume they are 'practical nurses'?

I'm pretty sure everyone knows everyone's role, that's how wards work. I mean unless you're stupid.

The rest of it is the most bitter of posts I've seen on my short time here. Truly an F- rant.

[Ambersmom, BSN, RN]

Sorry to hear you are dealing with this issue. I worked LTC years ago and had a similar experience, mine I believe was partially caused by the employer putting my bsn on name badge. It was pretty awful, and abusive. I went to nursing supervisor, and after one pretty nasty bashing all because I got there on time and the second nurse wanted my assignment and screamed and threatened until she got it, another nurse reported it, it was so bad, I reported it... nothing happened. In hindsight I wish I had told her she could have both sides and walked out and/or reported her to the board for unprofessional behavior. Hard core, but the abuse I endured was hard core as well. Someone told me later she was diverting and thats why she wanted the other side, it had blind corners. Today video is a powerful thing, I also wish I had used a phone video. But if you've talked to superiors and it hasn't helped, Leave. You don't deserve that, you don't have to tolerate it. You'rd worth more than that. Best of luck!

[River&MountainRN, ADN, RN]

It is just plain human to human/nurse to nurse nastiness. It doesn't matter the degree. However, as a new-ish RN, I've had LPNs actually be better at helping me/teaching me to be a better nurse/having my back over RNs so far, it seems.

Going back to the nastiness, however, it's prevalent, especially in LTC. Big fish, small pond syndrome, perhaps? I don't know.

I just know I recently left a job where it was out of control. One of the shift supervisors kept messing with my orientation schedule, behind the scheduler's and DON's backs, and then telling the other nurses not to help/precept me (only a few days into being at the facility). As in, I was brand new to the floor, didn't know any of the residents, and my preceptor would disappear, only to be found in another (empty) resident room, conversing with another nurse but suddenly be "very busy" and have to rush off when I'd approach with a question. I didn't know their residents or their EMR, so I genuinely needed help to be safe. When I brought it up to the DON, I was promised that things would change.

They didn't: it got back to the shift supervisor that I had gone to the DON (just to ask what could be done to get a real orientation, without bringing up my suspicions about the supervisor being behind this at all) and she made my life even worse. Apparently, it was a known issue and she's notorious for doing this to certain new hires. Another new hire (but very experienced nurse) was fired for "insubordination to the supervisor" after following out MD orders that the supervisor didn't think were worth doing (just signing off on).

This supervisor was gunning for the DON position. The DON was either oblivious or scared of her, because she just let this go on and on and on. The rest of the staff went from welcoming to ice cold as soon as that particular supervisor deemed me "unworthy". You were either one of her chosen (in turn, you kissed her butt and fell into line with whatever she wanted you to do) or you got run off. No wonder that have to constantly offer huge hiring bonuses (that are only paid out if you stay a year) and still can't keep staff!

As for how I handled it? I left. Live and learn.

[Roy Hanson]

big words. If you dont like it, leave! They have a sub culture, that you are unable to cope with. Welcome to office politics! As long as they get the job done, leave your ego at the nurses station. Is the boss man/lady encouraging this?

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

Like the saying goes...their reality is their perception....

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

The worst bullying I encountered was in a hospital that had its own nursing school grads with "diploma".They hated and mistreated those that were not from their hospital school and had the nerve to have a college ASN or BSN.The meanness was not to be believed.Good education clinically but disgusting behavior.Learned what ever I could,including fighting back, and the worse part was the administration knew who they were.Made a quick exit when I was ready.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

Not well. I'm dealing with a few CNA's in a clique that have decided they don't like me and go out of their way to be rude, lazy and unhelpful, omit charting and then claim they forgot but I think it is passive agressive though I can't prove it. And run to the supervisor over petty complaints trying to get me in trouble and then are even more upset when they don't get the reaction they hoped for! Personally I'm so sick of them, they are grown adults but act like children having temper tantrums! They refuse assignments, threaten to go home if they don't get their way and this is allowed with no consequences. For the life of me I don't know why. All I can do is shake my head, ignore them, do my job and avoid them as much as possible. I've learned to say very little to them period. Frankly I'd rather work without CNA's than put up with all this crap. I've been told I'm not the only one they do this time, but it feels very personal and it pisses me off. I want to tell them to grow up and do their jobs and act like adults, but bite my tongue as that would ignite nightmare number three! So glad I'm off and don't have to deal with them for a few days. I remind myself they are not my friends, I just merely have to tolerate them to get thru the night!

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

One thing you can do - next time someone is mean to you, call her on it. I assume it's a female, although there are plenty of dirty dog male nurses.

Just say to the person "You must be one of the wrold's most miserable persons. You are so filled with anger and jealousy that it's bubbling out of your pores. You are mean and rude and nasty and I guess that comes from being terribly hurt and disappointed in life. I am not the cause of your pain, Lulu, but I forgive you for being so cruel to me, and will pray for you. I would like to help you if there's a way I can. Let me know." It might help break the ice and you'll become friends for life.

You made me laugh, reminds me of the really funny sarcastic song I pray for you by Jaron. It will cheer you up if you have a bad day and a problem person.

Some of the lyrics ... I pray your breaks go out running down a hill, I pray a flower pot falls from a window sill and knocks you in the head like I'd like to, I pray your birthday comes and nobody calls, I pray you're flying high when your engine stalls, I pray all your dreams never come true. Just know wherever you are honey I pray for you...

I just listened to it now on youtube and I feel great, so much better. Check it out I highly recommend it! LOL

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

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

Wow, no kidding!!

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

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 .

I'm guessing that this is a rhetorical question.