I want to throat-punch my co-worker

Published

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.

Am I over-reacting?

If this is going to be a Dalton punch, are you going to post it on Youtube, since you'll be going to jail anyway?

A bilateral palpation of the Carotid artery would be less messy, and you could still post it on Youtube.

A pint of Cherry Garcia and a few spoons in the wall would be the safest, although boring, unless you posted that on Youtube.

I want to see Golfer87's YouTube channel.

I'm not an 800-year-old Buddhist monk. OP is not a movie character. Hyperbole is the new slang.

I am, however, a bunny, even if my picture is a dog.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
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.

Am I over-reacting?

This woman is picking on you? Oh, my goodness. All over "refusing to move a chart six inches." Get over it! Without mentioning to anyone at work.

Work is a busy place, and some of us are guilty of not paying attention to something says when they're right next to us because we've looked up all too many times only to find them on their phone. There are so many people coming and going -- if I turned around and paid attention every time I heard a voice next to me, I'd never get anything done. Seriously, if you're talking to me, make SURE I've heard you before you conclude that I'm "picking on you." Unless you make eye contact, say my name or touch me I'm not going to pay attention to you because for all I know, you're talking on the phone or addressing someone else within earshot.

If you're this bent out of shape over someone not moving a chart six inches (when you could easily do it yourself and you cannot be sure she knew you were talking to her), what's going to happen when you have a REAL issue?

Specializes in Dialysis.

The thread title alone made my soda come out through my nose! But yes, as PPs have said, lighten up. Life is waaaaayyyy to short to constantly be offended

You never know. Maybe she's your number one fan.

Damn, I was going to go there, but got beaten to it!

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I think it's great you vented here instead of acting on that impulse to "throat punch" her. I have felt that way on and off through the years and as we know, we can't exactly act on that impulse. I wish you better days ahead.

Specializes in Hospice, ONC, Tele, Med Surg, Endo/Output.
Hasn't anyone ever read the book or seen the movie "MISERY" by Stephen King? I suggest you all watch it! The main character is a nurse by the name of Annie Wilkes... and she is crazy. Please, at least watch the movie!

Yeah. Saw movie a bazillion times. You identify with her then? Hmmmmm. Don't want to tick you off then. Just kidding.

Specializes in Hospice, ONC, Tele, Med Surg, Endo/Output.
I love that my facility provides each and every nurse/tech/assistant with their own laptop!

I'm just glad I do hospice and don't have to watch annoying co-workers act passive-aggressively all day. So glad to be done with acute care--10 years away, oh happy day!

It

The Stand

On Writing (non fiction)

Rose Madder

Duma Key

Apt Pupil (short story)

Insomnia

Pet Sematary (thoroughly creeped me out)

Needful Things

Desperation and its parallel novel, The Regulators

And I remember really enjoying Rose Madder.

OP, maybe you should have a talk with your coworker, it doesn't have to be big production. Something like "I really respect you and I would like us to get along".

Pet Sematary (thoroughly creeped me out)

Needful Things

Desperation and its parallel novel, The Regulators

And I remember really enjoying Rose Madder.

OP, maybe you should have a talk with your coworker, it doesn't have to be big production. Something like "I really respect you and I would like us to get along".

Or, "Let's start a Book Club, have you ever read Misery?"

Specializes in Emergency.

Salem's Lot - danny glick knocking at the window.

The stand - any section with randy flagg.

Specializes in Telemetry.

OP, you might get a kick out of this (there may be some adult language - it's been awhile since I've seen it).

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