No, I never would assault anybody! Especially not a co-worker! I am not that type of person.
A little about me: I am very laid-back and easy going. I get along with everybody! I jump to help people anytime I can. If I see someone struggling, I offer assistance. I do not sit at the nurse's station playing on my cell phone when there is work that needs done.
Anyway, for the past few weeks, one of my co-workers has been "picking" at me in very subtle ways here and there. But yesterday morning, she acted like a childish brat. And I let her. I didn't acknowledge her behavior because I was busy, I am nonconfrontational and I did not want to get into a shouting match at the nurse's station. She was sitting at the desk with a chart open, I don't know if she was looking through a chart, or writing something. I think she was looking through it. Anyway, the top cover of the chart was lying on top of the mouse and part of the chart was covering the keyboard. She was not on the computer. I needed to log onto the computer to look up some labwork for a patient. I thought I approached her nicely and asked her if I could gain access to the computer for a moment. SHE DID NOT MOVE. AND I KNOW SHE HEARD ME. There was nobody seated beside her, so there was no reason that she could not physically move the chart six inches out of my way. Since she didn't move, I reached under the chart and took the mouse, and gently moved the chart myself so I could gain access to the key board so I could look up my labs. After I put in my passwords and finally was able to gain access, she informs me that the computer across the way is capable of providing me the information I need. I thanked her for the information, because I did not know that.
I finished my work on the computer, which took me three minutes or less. But inside I was fuming. I have been upset this whole weekend because I allowed her to treat me this way. I have always valued and respected this person as a nurse. When I first started here, I was amazed at the report she gave. Thorough, knows her patients, very smart, knows her business. A wonderful nurse. But I no longer have respect for her as a person.
I cannot understand why she would treat me like this. The next time she behaves like this towards me, I WILL pull her aside and ask her what her problem is towards me and how we can squash it. But she will not treat me (or anyone else) like this. Honestly, I do not have time for people like this and I do not have time to feel uncomfortable in the workplace.
I must admit I am afraid if I say something, it will make waves and make things even more uncomfortable for me. I'm afraid she will refuse to witness insulin with me and refuse to witness narcotic wastes with me. If she's childish enough to refuse to move six inches so I can gain access to a computer, she's probably childish enough to do that. She has alot of seniority in the work place over me. I have only been there about 6 months. This workplace is a newer environment for me, and I know she has way more critical care experience than I do. I don't go to work to make friends, but if I make friends at work...it's all good. She probably has friends here. I do not want to talk about her behind her back; I need to tell her to her face that her attitude towards me lately is insulting. And she acted like a brat that day.
Probably. But I will admit, she seems to be escalating. Her treatment of me, that is. I just hope I do not SNAP. That would be bad.
Ok, let's take a moment and really think about this. "Snapping" is not a valid option. Period. You don't need to respect any of your co-workers as people, you just need to work with them.
As a friend told me many years ago, and it is advice I carry with me to this day:
DON'T poke the bear. I have most recently added "you can't put flowers up someone's butt and call it a vase". Regardless of the personalities involved, there's work to be done.
To be direct, you seemingly instigated when there should have been an alternate option (and you then found out there was). If a nurse is in the zone, trying to decipher what is happening with a patient by going through a chart, find alternate arrangements for computer use. If there is no other option, to be direct and excuse yourself "I need to use this computer, excuse me" or "co-worker xyz looks like he/she is in the zone, is there another computer I can print from?" Use your resources. Your unit clerk is a prime example of all things printer/computer extrodinaire.
No one gets the homecoming queen crown at the end of the day. Ya'll are critical care nurses. Focus and go the heck home. You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your co-workers. Put away the stick and stop poking, already.
Sarcasm doesn't compute well on threads. I am more than a little creeped out that you would compare yourself to the character in a movie that is more than a little disturbing. I half hope this is a trolling thing.
Sarcasm doesn't compute well on threads. I am more than a little creeped out that you would compare yourself to the character in a movie that is more than a little disturbing. I half hope this is a trolling thing.
I'm not an 800-year-old Buddhist monk. OP is not a movie character. Hyperbole is the new slang.
Some people are weirdly territorial and some spread their stuff everywhere. Both are mildly annoying. Why not pick a spot to work -and stay there- instead of picking fights?
Annie Wilkes RN
54 Posts
I LOVE IT!