How Do you Deal With. . .

BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN · Feb 9, 2017

As one who has been called on the carpet for not always being overly "nice", I'm not sure I'm the right person to answer.

With that being said, maybe a little more detail would be helpful to know how to advise you - other than "just kill them with kindness".

ohiobobcat · Feb 9, 2017

I agree, maybe more information? Are the staff just plain rude in general, or in response to a certain situation?

JustRNingAlong, BSN · Feb 9, 2017

Maybe it's just me, but situation like, letting people (admin) into the nurse's office so that they can't put their lunch in my fridge, when I'm not there. And then as I am walking in, they hope you don't mind. :down:

OyWithThePoodles, RN · Feb 9, 2017

I kill them with kindness as well. Example from the school I was at at the beginning of the year:

Instructional Assistant did the drink run for the day, she walks by my office with the drinks...

Me: (Loud enough to hear) Thank You!!

IA:

Me: *Ok, maybe she didn't hear me...*

IA walks back by not looking my way.

Me: *SCREAMS* THANK YOU!!

She still didn't acknowledge me. And that is why I am so thankful to be back "home" to a school that appreciates me.

Of course if it is something that you feel is becoming an issue, or hostile, confront them in a kind way. "Hey, so I know things might be kind of different this year but I just wanted to see if there were any issues you wanted to talk with me about?"

A lot of times the staff doesn't realize what we actually do. The kid that they sent down twice that still doesn't have a fever, I've already called home and parents agree he is fine to stay. But all they see is me repeatedly sending the kid back. That or the kid tells them one thing and me another.

Amethya · Feb 9, 2017

I do a passive aggressive thing, "I'm sorry, but this is my fridge and it's only for the nurse's office use. I know you need to put your lunch somewhere, but please do not put it here. (Smile)"

KKEGS, MSN, RN · Feb 9, 2017

Our health office fridge is for the students NOT the staff. I keep snacks for the kids who need them at school and juice boxes for my diabetics and that's it. There are 2 large refrigerators in the staff lounge. Use them.

NanaPoo · Feb 9, 2017

I usually come back with smart a** remarks so I'm probably not too great of an advisor on this.

I had a teacher bypass me because she wanted a student to go home since he'd vomited 28 hours previously. She knew he didn't meet policy to send home and he felt fine so she called the front office instead & the administrative assistant agreed he should go home. The student showed up in the clinic with backpack & orders for me to call his parents. I sent him right back to class & called the teacher who said "but the front office said he has to go home because he could be contagious." My reply was, "Oh, I didn't realize anyone in the front office had recently completed their nursing or medical degree. Let me call up there and congratulate them!"

OldDude · Feb 9, 2017

Simply say, "Don't put your stuff in the clinic fridge. If you do I'll throw it in the trash."

BeckyESRN · Feb 9, 2017

Slap a biohazard sticker on the door and tell them that you frequently have to store stool and urine samples in there!

JustRNingAlong, BSN · Feb 9, 2017

Or breast milk!

kidzcare · Feb 9, 2017

Just say no to the fridge.

In general, if someone is being rude or using an unprofessional attitude, I will either ignore it (if I don't have to interact with them frequently) or (If I do have to interact with them frequently) I'll say something along the lines of "I feel like you are annoyed/aggravated/upset with me right now. I don't want to have an argument. I will speak with respect to you and I hope that I can expect the same."