How do you spell R-E-S-P-E-C-T at work?

Chad_KY_SRNA · Jun 6, 2005

:rotfl: Respect, thats a nice idea. Just as soon as everyone gets over their drama and gossip phase we might try that. I try to be respectful but honestly I am rarely shown any respect. There are a few people in my facility that treat me with respect but those moments are few and far between.

Mystery5 · Jun 6, 2005

I work in a very civilised, albiet gossipy, hospital. I think my co-workers are very respectful of me, inspite of my imperfections. I'm sure they might have a few comments behind my back from time to time, but that's the way it goes.:)

begalli · Jun 6, 2005

Here is an except from a post I made today in the critical care forums:

I worked over for 4 hours to admit this guy this morning. I can't believe I drove home - I was absolutely exhausted, but the docs were such a pleasure to work with - they knew I was pulling 16 hours. When the Attending arrived at about 9ish, he had his chat with his Residents and Fellow as I listened, busily rushing around doing crap and then he turned to me and asked if I had anything to add or any ideas, or do I need anything, and not to worry about the swan and continuous cardiac output set-up until I'm ready. I just can't explain that feeling of validation and respect when you feel that you're about to fall flat on your face.

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1182270#post1182270&conly=

We were short by two nures the morning of the story above. Nurses from other rooms came by to check me out (I was alone) and my resource nurse, the RT, the CNA, and the housekeeper all chipped in to help me. On my unit, when you're alone, you're really alone. It's the way our unit is set up, hard to explain. Usually we would have a couple of float nurses who don't have a patient assignment, but just float around the unit to help out. This morning we were short 2. This is a VERY rare occurance.

There are a couple of nurses who I don't particularly care for personally, but I'm good to everyone - even if they screw me somehow, and it has happened. I'm not one to hold a grudge...it's just not worth it. It takes way too much energy and does nothing for patient care. There isn't much gossping among the 110+ staff nurses that work on my unit. At least not that I'm aware of. The only cliquey thing I can think of is the younger nurses tend to do things outside of work together more. But it doesn't affect work in any way. Actually, I LOVE hearing the stories of their adventures...those were the days!!

For the most part I feel respected. We don't necessarily have a "pecking order," (ie: I give up my chair for NO ONE unless I want to), but there are sorta/kinda policies on how assignments are made according to staff level, experience, etc. Not that new nurses don't get opportunities to learn, but I think you know what I mean.

Sometimes after nights like I had last night, I leave work and just cry. Not because I feel disrespected or like I wasn't supported, just because ICU can be so overwhleming. This morning I didn't cry. Sure I felt like hell, but the respect and teamwork that took place all in the name of patient care this morning was just unbelievable and THAT I felt good about even though the patient could very well be gone tonite.

Thanks for the thread Angie O!

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Jun 6, 2005

Respect, thats a nice idea. Just as soon as everyone gets over their drama and gossip phase we might try that. I try to be respectful but honestly I am rarely shown any respect. There are a few people in my facility that treat me with respect but those moments are few and far between.

:rotfl: Thanks for the laugh, Chad. How exactly would you define respect?

To me, I'm getting respect when someone asks me to help them when they're stuck. Or when someone asks me a question and they listen to my answer.

Or even when I need an assist with something and the help is offered with a good attitude, not with eye-rolling and other forms of negative body language.

jschut, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2005

I do feel there is a certain amount of rspect there. I have CNA's who work with me who are jewels and I couldn't do without, then there are two who have recently moved to another facility (YEA!!!!!) who show no respect, but continual DISrespect...not only to me, but to everyone around them.

I have complained about them to my supervisor, who, in turn has reprimanded them about their mouths (who wants to listen to CNA's walking around talking about doing drugs and such? Not me! And I don't want to subject my residents to that either!), and when we all work together again, the mouths are out of control about something else, with the little snide comments under the breath type thing. This goes on and on. Very tiresome after awhile, I say.

But as far as nurses (and 99% of the CNA's) go... yea, I feel I have an adequate amount of respect.

The lack of respect makes me so angry that I could scream! But I manage to keep my cool, because I work on a dementia unit and the residents "feed" off my attitude. It seems as if the staff is calm, then they are too, but if there is tension, then the residents can sense that, and they become "out of sorts".

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 6, 2005

I just very simply and succintly follow the Golden Rule when dealing with others, be they coworkers, friends, relatives or patients.

If they are disrespectful to me, I will address it (privately and politely). I am NOBODY's doormat. But I do consider the situation, as well. Sometimes, when the "heat is on" words fly that people don't mean. I don't LOOK for negative meaning in others' words. But if disrespect is a constant problem for me, I am not afraid to stop it cold---be it from a patient, coworker, doctor, whomever.

I deal with VERY little disrespect or problem at work. I treat others VERY well and they respond in kind 99.9% of the time.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jun 6, 2005

C'mon, be honest:
Do you feel you have respect from your coworkers?

Not all of them. The extreme few that i don't have the "RN only belong HERE" attitude, and make it very clear they feel this way, and at anytime.

Do you behave respectfully to all of your coworkers, whether or not you like them?

Yes. I see no need to stoop to the holier-than-thou attitude that posesses a few.

Is there a "pecking order" in your unit?

Not sure what that is.

How does respect (or lack thereof) make you feel?

The respect is wonderful, when it's going both ways and luckily that covers 99% of who i work with. The disrespect from the HTT types is just a living example of what i will NOT be as an RN.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jun 6, 2005

I just very simply and succintly follow the Golden Rule when dealing with others, be they coworkers, friends, relatives or patients.
If they are disrespectful to me, I will address it (privately and politely). I am NOBODY's doormat. But I do consider the situation, as well. Sometimes, when the "heat is on" words fly that people don't mean. I don't LOOK for negative meaning in others' words. But if disrespect is a constant problem for me, I am not afraid to stop it cold---be it from a patient, coworker, doctor, whomever.
I deal with VERY little disrespect or problem at work. I treat others VERY well and they respond in kind 99.9% of the time.

:yeahthat:

This is also my philosophy.......I don't catch much crap at work because I treat others with the respect I myself would like. There are a few staff members I don't particularly care for, mainly because they talk behind others' backs and since they are listened to by management, one's shortcomings (as they see them) always seem to surface at evaluation time. But I don't go to work to have a social life, I work because it gives meaning to life AND pays the bills......I refuse to get involved in office politics and petty gossip.

sored · Jun 6, 2005

C'mon, be honest:
Do you feel you have respect from your coworkers?
Do you behave respectfully to all of your coworkers, whether or not you like them?
Is there a "pecking order" in your unit?
How does respect (or lack thereof) make you feel?

My answer...

R---Recognition

E---Empathy

S---Sensitivity

P---Patience and Perseverence

E---Everabiding Commitment To Eachother

C---Compassion To All

T---Thank Everyone

Two books we all should read:

"Nursing Against The Odds" by Suzanne Gordon. It is all about what you feel.

"Notes On Nursing: What it is and what it is not" by Florence Nightingale.

Although written 100 years ago her essays remain valid. Our tools and abilities have expanded but tenets are tenets. I wish this was required reading in nursing school.

Both can be easily located on Amazon.com complete with excerpts.

Let's all hang in there. Remember P is for Persevere. God Bless

sored · Jun 6, 2005

My answer...

R---Recognition

E---Empathy

S---Sensitivity

P---Patience and Perseverence

E---Everabiding Commitment To Eachother

C---Compassion To All

T---Thank Everyone

Two books we all should read:

"Nursing Against The Odds" by Suzanne Gordon. It is all about what you feel.

"Notes On Nursing: What it is and what it is not" by Florence Nightingale.

Although written 100 years ago her essays remain valid. Our tools and abilities have expanded but tenets are tenets. I wish this was required reading in nursing school.

Both can be easily located on Amazon.com complete with excerpts.

Let's all hang in there. Remember P is for Persevere. God Bless us all.

Brotherbob, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2005

How exactly would you define respect?

I have been 1 year in this ER and I am definitely getting more and more respect. I learn more and more and knowledge is a way of getting respect, but respect can be many things.

A few days ago on the nightshift an old LPN took me aside and told me that there was something I had to stop doing, because it was not right. She said it in such a gentle way, and I had not thought about it before. She definitely showed me respect, correction done right is a way of showing respect. If she did not respect me she would have talked behind my back or yelled something at me.