How to deal with workplace Drama/Gossip?

[Convoy2022_TrumpSupporter]

Nothing special, but my co-worker also a Nurse female so obviously the opposite sex as me. I have been giving her rides home lately as we end our shifts since shes been going through a rough time. She does not own a car.

 

Recently a care worker told me "Oh I saw you give so and so a ride. Is there something going on between you". In all honesty maybe I do have feelings for her but thats not the point.

 

Then the charge Nurse asked me pretty much the same thing. It's like now I don't want to give her rides because I don't want to be the topic of other peoples conversation. I want to help people, but I am not eager to tell or show other people who I talk to or give rides. I also don't want to stop giving her rides as she says she feels good and its helping her get through the stress and her personal life.

 

Any advice? I'm usually the quiet person.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You are doing a co-worker a favor. Don't stop now because others are nosy. I would answer with" well... that's MY business isn't it"?

 

[GrumpyRN, NP]

33 minutes ago, Been there,done that said:

You are doing a co-worker a favor. Don't stop now because others are nosy. I would answer with" well... that's MY business isn't it"?

 

Agree with this.

Was once told that I was having an affair with one of my colleagues with no evidence whatsoever - I wasn't - I told them pretty sharply to stop spreading rumours and to behave themselves.

I sometimes think that people just HAVE to gossip and look for something so that they can feel "superior" to others. 

[Convoy2022_TrumpSupporter]

4 hours ago, Been there,done that said:

You are doing a co-worker a favor. Don't stop now because others are nosy. I would answer with" well... that's MY business isn't it"?

 

Thank you. I just don't like being the center of attention and make people wonder, but I do love helping people.

4 hours ago, GrumpyRN said:

Agree with this.

Was once told that I was having an affair with one of my colleagues with no evidence whatsoever - I wasn't - I told them pretty sharply to stop spreading rumours and to behave themselves.

I sometimes think that people just HAVE to gossip and look for something so that they can feel "superior" to others. 

Ridiculous, you were probably just being friendly and nothing wrong with that.

[speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Just don’t participate in the gossip. Generally those people have way too much time on their hands.

[downsouthlaff, LPN]

I’m a Work in an LTC facility and you don’t imagine the drama between staff members even in this kind of setting. People are just so entertained by other people’s lives and nothing is gonna change that. When I was a newbie fresh out of LPN school I trained with another LPN who was held in high regard as the best nurse at the particular LTC facility, she was so commited to her job and residents. She had been employed their for 15 years. I asked her what was the secret to her longevity she said staying out the gossip. 

       For the few days I followed her and trained with her, I noticed her responses to gossip when it was told to her. She would reply in a friendly way with “I’m gonna keep my comments to myself,” or “Some people go through a lot, we should pray for them,”. And the gossip would need their. 

[Convoy2022_TrumpSupporter]

3 minutes ago, downsouthlaff said:

I’m a Work in an LTC facility and you don’t imagine the drama between staff members even in this kind of setting. People are just so entertained by other people’s lives and nothing is gonna change that. When I was a newbie fresh out of LPN school I trained with another LPN who was held in high regard as the best nurse at the particular LTC facility, she was so commited to her job and residents. She had been employed their for 15 years. I asked her what was the secret to her longevity she said staying out the gossip. 

       For the few days I followed her and trained with her, I noticed her responses to gossip when it was told to her. She would reply in a friendly way with “I’m gonna keep my comments to myself,” or “Some people go through a lot, we should pray for them,”. And the gossip would need their. 

Agreed. Many people just gossip and do not know the story. I guess it keeps them entertained.

[athey1999]

I think that nurse was right on the money. When I was a new nurse just out of school, I was pretty immature back then. There was a nurse who worked in my dept who was a minister’s wife and had the deportment of such. I think seeing as I was young and immature, she took me under her wing. There were some queen bee nurses in that department who were gossiping and trash talking a lot of the people there. She once told me that not only did she not participate in gossip, but she actively tried to remove herself, if possible, if it was going on. I remember thinking that the latter sounded a bit extreme. I mean, I understand not participating in it, but why do you need to remove yourself? Well, now years later, I do understand what she meant. Even if you’re are not participating or propagating, you are still being negatively impacted by what it being said and what you are hearing. It’s like you can internalize the negativity and that’s not good for you, your mindset, your soul. That’s a good tactic to keep yourself removed from it all. Believe me, you won’t miss anything.