Is this what I should expect in the nursing field...?

[frostcross]

Hello!

I have just completed the clinical portion of my patient care technician course.

Today, I witnessed 2 patient care technicians, the assistant nurse manager and the nurse manager for the floor I was on gossiping about fellow co-workers. They also made fun of my fellow student! It was SO uncomfortable.

I was so disappointed in the nurses and patient care technicians.

Here I am a STUDENT...why would they do this. I tried to walk away so I didn't have to hear these innapporpriate comments but was told "...no need to leave, this isn't a private conversation."

I hate to think this behavior is acceptable or the norm. But, as a career changer, I do know innapporpriate behavior exists across many (if not all) careers/industries.

Just feeling bummed as I am excited to be a pct and eventually a nurse. However, I want NOTHING to do with gossip, favorites, etc. How do you avoid the inappropriate behavior, especially when it comes from the top down?

[AOx1]

When they said there was no need to leave because it wasn't a private conversation, I would have told them it would have to remain private as I don't listen to that type of talk. What encourages these types is when others participate and condone it with their silence. You were put in a very difficult position. Just walk away from people like this. They are not worth your time.

Alternatively, I have also confronted gossips by either saying "Really? That hasn't been my experience with Jane. Let's call her over here so you can discuss it with her directly" or asking the gossip directly "what would prompt you to say that about a coworker?"

Things get pretty quiet after that, and people know not to come to me with gossip.

[avenellpn82]

As you said, this happens in all industires. I witness this everyday as I do my clinical rotations from the DON downward, they discuss employees as well as students. I sometimes think they want to get a reaction out of you by doing it, trying to feel out the type of person you are. "You have to understand that nursing is mostly women and women gossip" is a stetement i heard the DON say to a new male orientee. Just politely walk away and if asked to join in find something to do.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Yeah, that's classic of any work environment. It's especially sad when people in leadership positions do it. It's life. Expect it.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Some people just want to stir the **** pot. I see it all the time. Just don't join in, don't comment, but keep a distance. Be polite, cordial, add a touch of humor and they will mostly leave you alone.

My hubby and I were having a discussion about this very thing the other day. I was telling him that there seems to be a downward shift in morale at work, and have noticed a lot of backbiting and gossiping. I like to dissect problems down to the root in order to come up with a solution to a problem, and we both came up with this theory: people love drama. That is why so many people love to watch reality shows to see "who gets the axe." If people don't have drama in their lives, they will make it up or seek it out.

I personally made a conscious choice to go into a specialty of nursing that has its own drama: surgical trauma. This is MY way of getting the drama in my life. I love it, and BECAUSE I feed this need through work, I don't need the personal drama, and actually shy away from it. It has proven to be a nice balance.

You were put into an uncomfortable situation, no doubt. You now know not to trust the people you heard gossiping. Just file that mental note away and keep doing what you are doing...taking care of patients.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

You said right in your OP that this was something you've witnessed in other fields. In other words, the scenario you described tells much more about the people DOING it than the nursing field in general.

You'll run in to this anywhere, what makes the difference is how you respond....don't let yourself become a part of it, it's that simple.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

You'll find this in all fields, it's just people. The culture of that unit is unprofessional. You will find a mix of good and bad out there.

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Nurses/Managers are not immune to gossip and drama. After a while it won't surprise you anymore.

Best,

Diane, RN

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Just keep neutral and don't participate in gossip or drama. It works like a charm. You are not going to change these people and you honestly need to grow thick skin and move on in life.

Sometimes, people are just miserable. Other times, they just want to vent or are testing the waters (you).

As long as you mind your own business, pay them no mind and do your work, you will be just fine.

Trust me, there are many worst things to worry about or much worst than this. Nursing is a catty profession. Learn to be transparent and walk through things and be happy.

GL

[freetofly]

I hate to say it but Yes. You can expect to see that. When I first started my new job I was bullied relentlessly by a group of nurses. The new job was tough enough for me but I left almost everyday crying because of the way I was treated. My ANM was/is very standoffish and never once acted to stop it. For the most part, I guess I would say that most nurses are helpful to each other but others will stop at nothing to make you as miserable as they are!

[nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN]

Saw it all the time in IT and engineering. To quote Sarte, "Hell is other people." A good crew can make your night, a bad crew can make you want to throw yourself off the roof.

And I often wonder, hearing my coworkers verbally gut the nurses that aren't present, "I wonder what they say about me when I'm not here...."

[MJB2010]

As a brand new nurse, I can tell you it is like torture. I come from a job that was mostly men before, I am shocked that grown women still behave the same way they did in junior high. I was not expecting it. But yes this is what you should expect. Seems to be the norm, cutting each other down then smiling and pretending to be friends. (barf) Not everyone behaves this way you learn quick who you can stick with. There are just as many of us who dont participate, we just are not as a loud.