I Wish I'd Said That!

thumperRN · Feb 25, 2006

Don't worry about being "quicker on your feet", just be glad that your not like her. What a miserable person. Hope her patients are getting good care while she's out fabricating stories. I wouldn't give her the time of day. Besides, action speak louder than words, chances are you're not the only one she has done this too and most people prbably have her number, if ya know what I mean.

:smiley_ab

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 25, 2006

I wouldn't give her the time of day.

I wouldn't either. She's obviously trying to have an effect on you, don't give her the satisfaction of letting her do it.

fotografe · Feb 25, 2006

Go here -- you will find some great info on workplace bullying. This nurse sounds like a classic bully.

http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/amibeing.htm

Do you ever think to yourself, after a verbal exchange, something that would have been a great comeback, except now it's 2 days after the fact? This happens to me all the time!
A bully nurse spread rumours and lies about me. When we had a meeting with the supervisor, she put on this 'sweet' act but said that other people knew 'for weeks' that I 'didn't do my work'. She said that she thought I was 'lovely and wonderful' but not a good nurse.
I was so dumbfounded I just stared at her. How can I get to think quicker on my feet?

fergus51 · Feb 25, 2006

I generally have the other problem: I say something smarta$$ed and then wish I hadn't... but it just feels so good at the time I can't seem to help myself!!!

pickledpepperRN · Feb 25, 2006

I always think of a clever response days later too.

One very busy night we got a registry respiratory therapist. He was told all pertinent patient information but didn't do our usual introductions.

About 3:00 am it was quiet. Wo offered him coffee and snacks.

He said, "You ladies are really nice. When i first came to this unit I thought you were prejudiced." (He wore a turban)

My clever friend said, "Oh no. Some of my best friends are respiratory therapists."

thumperRN · Feb 25, 2006

spacenurse, that was great!! :rotfl: :rotfl:

EDGRADNURSE · Feb 25, 2006

I'm so sorry this happened to you! Was your meeting w/the supervisor related to this person's behavior towards you? What was your supervisor's reaction? Maybe your supervisor didn't notice how mean this person was being because he/she didn't notice the "intent" behind the words.

I don't think there's a way to be "quicker" with such responses in all circumstances. You were broadsided.

Also, if you try to come back at people and you just aren't that type of person, you could have the following exchange that I had.

coworker: You sweat spaghetti sauce (poking "fun" at my nationality)

me: oh, yeah. You sweat jerk sauce

Not sure that went off really well...............

sharann, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2006

I'll be first in line to purchase "Quick and Snappy Comebacks for Dummies"(vol.1):>

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2006

A response you can give is one you have practiced, have ready and will be true. "I am absolutely shocked at what you've just said and I don't know what to say!"

sanctuary, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 26, 2006

A response you can give is one you have practiced, have ready and will be true. "I am absolutely shocked at what you've just said and I don't know what to say!"

A psychiatrist who was known for his 5 minute visits with his patients (so he could charge for a face to face visit) spoke briefly to one of his patients and left her in tears. He told me she was upset, and that I should go calm her down. I said that I would not, he had upset her, and I was not going to clean up his mess.

Dr."Well, I don't know why she's crying. I didn't do anything to her that I don't do to you."

This nurse,"Yes, but I'm a rose, and roses thrive on s**t. now go back and settle you own mess." One of the few times that the right thing fell out of my mouth. Remembering the look on his face still makes me smile.

epiphany · Feb 26, 2006

A response you can give is one you have practiced, have ready and will be true. "I am absolutely shocked at what you've just said and I don't know what to say!"

This is works well, although not a witty comeback. Look the person in the eye and say: "that's not true." and/or "you have no right to say that about me"

They are simple things to say, but you'd be surprised how effective they can be.