Is that truly professional behavior?

I just started a new position and am horrified at how one of my new Co workers is behaving during the "fluff orientation. " She is constantly making this guttural "ugh" and rolling her eyes. On breaks she complains about everything. I can't even fathom why she would work there at this point since she has nothing positive to say. Is this common? I've actually been trying to sit farther from her to not be associated with her. I gave up trying to be positive because she shoots down everything.

No job is perfect. A year and a half of experience is not likely going to give you a day shift. Im sorry you didn't pass the ekg test and I'm sorry you don't like the computer orientation.

The newsflash is that no one else does either. However we are much more willing to jump through hoops because we appreciate the value of a good job. Furthermore i know 10 good nurses who would love to be in your shoes so buck up or resign.

Thanks for allowing the vent. I can only handle so much whining.

It's a bad idea to cop an attitude during orientation. She'd be wise to make sure no one in management observes her disrespectful behavior.

Keeping your distance is a good idea. You don't want to start being identified as "the rude one's friend." Plus, she probably won't end up being a great team player, so you probably won't be missing out on much...I doubt her attitude is going to be isolated to this orientation.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I have negative views toward the workplace, but I am careful not vocalize them, especially during new hire orientations.

Nurses are an increasingly replaceable commodity in this glutted era. The whiny nurse who displays negativity and disagreeableness is only amplifying the risk of getting canned before the new hire probationary period ends.

Yes, stay far away from her as thus far she has not shown you anything of value that you would want to draw from or emulate. As said above she's not a team player for sure.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Yes, it is definitely unprofessional to huff, groan, etc. during and orientation session while someone is speaking. As for the complaining--it is more annoying than anything. If she comes around, politely excuse yourself and move on--if management, etc. hears her, you don't want them to think you guilty by association.

[SoaringOwl]

I'm always amazed at how rude people can be. I would distance myself as far from her as possible. That is a time bomb waiting to go off (eventually someone in power will wise up to her) and you don't want to be hit with the fall-out.

[mmc51264, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

When we did our system-wide orientation, there was a travel nurse that was doing a lot of those type things. She would ask questions like "you don't do X here??" Later she floated to my unit and she was a good nurse, but did not make a great first impression. I think that is one of the cons of travel nursing-having to go through the "yay-rah" first day every 12 weeks or so.

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

I wonder what it is that she thinks she's supposed to be there for? It's a lot of immaturity -- she'll get laid low eventually and it likely will be by someone who holds her future in their hands. Some people need that dose of humility. Echoing what others have mentioned, she should be thrilled that she has a job in the 1st place.

[nursel56]

Shaking my head....but feel strongly that someone with only a year and a half of experience who behaves like that won't last long....then they may come here to complain that they've been let go from or forced to quit their last 3 jobs "for no reason!"

The thing people have to realize, when attending these seemingly banal orientations is A) The people presenting them work hard to put together their presentations and deserve respectful attention. B) Many of the topics are mandated by governmental agencies, Joint Commission, or other legal reasons. The hospital HAS to address certain, mandatory topics. They HAVE to document that that these topics were addressed with employees regarding insurance, union representation, safety, blood borne disease, the list gets longer every year and burdens us all with tedious, repetitive inservices.

I know when I started out in nursing over 20 years ago, life was simpler. I didn't have spend hours of my time off doing multiple, boring inservices.

[Jen_Loves_Nursing]

Is this common?

no. it is not common for nurse or any medical professional to have such unprofessional behavior during orientation. Surprised she was hired.

I rather they be true from the start. Now you know to stay way from the gabber.

I have nothing much to add to the thread... other than my concurrence with the proposed course of action... i agree, distancing yourself from said co-worker is a good idea and yup... it is unprofessional.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Ive been sitting further away from her. Hard to do in a class of 3 to 6. It was interesting because our new director was also attending some of these classes and it didn't really alter her behavior.

I'm just miffed whenever people don't take jobs seriously because I know 10 others at minimum applied who were likely having a better attitude got passed over. Ill just be thankful we work opposite days.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I rather they be true from the start.

Yep! We had a nurse who was clever enough to hide her negativity for the first 90 days, which happens to be the length of the new hire probationary period. During the early days she was helpful, positive and pleasant to be around.

Once the first 90 days elapsed, all the positivity disappeared and she started showing her true spiteful colors. She constantly whines, complains, picks arguments, criticizes, and spends much of the shift on her smartphone.