Irritating coworker -RANT

Specialties Correctional

Published

original post deleted due to respect for problematic coworker.... Thanks to all who have replied. I have appreciated your responses.

Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.
our booking fee is $122.00 trustees, earn $2.00/$3.00 a day. wow, and do you know how your state collects the bill if they do not have money? here in our county, if they have no money they do not collect it.. strange, imo..i wonder why they charge the fees when they know that 99% of our inmates cannot pay it anyway!

we don't charge for medical, psych, and the dental is only extractions, no dentures, hearing aids, sex changes, heart transplants, etc.

good luck with you coworker...maybe her attitude is why there was a charge nurse postition open. i don't understand how she can collect welfare or any government benefits (other than social security benefits for the child, if the child's father is deceased) if she is a rn.she is not collecting welfare. she is collecting child support. in fla there is a law that a child cannot be denied the benefit of child support, so the state makes the fathers pay for the child or they will suspend or revoke driver's license and will garnish wages.

i don't think confrontation of her inappropriate comments would work, usually these people are too agressive--how about becoming busy when she starts talking? a change of offices?, hours? days off? requesting a transfer?

i elected to just not talk to her unless i need to communicate about work related issues.we work in the infirmary, so there is no office and no transfer. we do not have pod nurses on night shift. if there is a problem, we deal with it from the infirmary

come to los angeles, we don't have that problem, (unless someone is complaining about me and i haven't picked up on it yet?)

let us know what happens!!

good advice though. thanks

i will keep u posted

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Specializes in OB/Psychology.

I agree with Texascowgirl regarding presenting yourself as a role model ect. And, although it may be an unpopular choice, a chat with your direct supervisor could be what's needed. From the information you have provided, this worker is creating a hostile work environment for you. I work in a state facility that treats the criminally mentally ill as well as individual's who are brought in (civil) as a danger to themselves or others. The job is rewarding and I love what I do, but if I were exposed to this work environment I would burn out quickly. These patients need nurses like you, not loose nurses like you. Good Luck and welcome to the field!

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.

Many thanks to all who have replied. I do indeed love correctional nursing. Funny thing about it is that I have been an RN for 20 yrs and corrections never even crosed my mind as an option. I am glad I found this rewarding field. The pay in Florida is lousy. (Like 6.00 less more hour than my previous job) Prison Health Services contracts our jail.. 21.00 an hour! (Yikes I said)

but I do it because I love it, not because I need a big paycheck. I own businesses outside of my job, so I work because I get very bored beinghome doing nothing. I took 3 months off between my last job and this job. enjoyed the time off, but really needed to get back to work to save my sanity.

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Specializes in geriatric, hospice, med/surg.

I find the comments that a correctional nurse is found in such an environment or maybe LTC because they cannot find work anywhere else rather offensive. I've worked in both. I am not a bad nurse.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.
I find the comments that a correctional nurse is found in such an environment or maybe LTC because they cannot find work anywhere else rather offensive. I've worked in both. I am not a bad nurse.

I totally agree. We are NOT rejects. Everyone of us can get a new job in a day. Nurses are definately in high demand. Jail nurses are not rejects from society.

We choose corrections because we love what we do. We can get jobs in hospitals or elsewhere, but until a nurse who "judges us" by saying we cannot get jobs elsewhere has tried corrections, they should not make such derogatory remarks to us correctional nurses.

Those who think we are rejects should refrain from such rude comments, or go get a corrections job and see for your self that it is actually a fun job and has it's rewards.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Corrections.

I too am appalled at the idea of Correctional nurses cant work anywhere else, well I believe in the "walk a mile in my shoes.' I have worked in hospitals but I wouldn't down grade nurses who work in a hospital. I have been a correctional nurse for 18 years and I have been certified as a CCHP for 6 years and I am proud of my affliation with the organization. But that isn't the only reason that I am responding to this thread.

Are you considered management?? Do you have a union where you work? You are not only in a hostile work environment but her talking about what she does on her time off and her body is not appropriate. If you do belong to a union, get to know the shop steward or your union representatives because that is blatantly against the union rules. If you have any questions, please PM me and I would be glad to answer your questions. I am sorry that your orientation into correctional nursing was such a bummer. There might be many reasons that they wanted to hire someone else for the boss...and you need to let her know that you are her boss.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.
I too am appalled at the idea of Correctional nurses cant work anywhere else, well I believe in the "walk a mile in my shoes.' I have worked in hospitals but I wouldn't down grade nurses who work in a hospital. I have been a correctional nurse for 18 years and I have been certified as a CCHP for 6 years and I am proud of my affliation with the organization. But that isn't the only reason that I am responding to this thread.

Are you considered management?? Do you have a union where you work? You are not only in a hostile work environment but her talking about what she does on her time off and her body is not appropriate. If you do belong to a union, get to know the shop steward or your union representatives because that is blatantly against the union rules. If you have any questions, please PM me and I would be glad to answer your questions. I am sorry that your orientation into correctional nursing was such a bummer. There might be many reasons that they wanted to hire someone else for the boss...and you need to let her know that you are her boss.

Thanks for your reply. I can assure you that I will not let her or any other coworker for that manner influence my work ethics or my desire to work in my chosen setting. I have spoken with the DON and she is aware. we are not a union facility, in fact we are contracted by a privatized company and will be handed over to yet another vompany in about 90 days. I just refuse to play into her games, and maintain a professional relationship as best I can. I am learning how to tolorate her and make it better within the workplace.

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