LPN LTC - evil nurses

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Specializes in LPN.

Has anyone experienced encountering self centered, evil, vindictive nurses working as a nurse especially in LTC? I am an agency nurse who tends to be pleasant but keep my mouth shut most of the time to fly under the radar. Sometimes to get though a shift I pretend that I am on top of a mountain or I hide in the bathroom for 10mins to recoup.  I've noticed that nursing attracts  women who are extremely catty and hate to be in peace. I keep an air pod in one ear to tune out the entire day and dumb gossipy convos heard all throughout the unit. Many nurses have no empathy and speak to residents like they are stupid old farts. I am trying to get out of this field ASAP. Has anyone else experienced coming across some of the most evil women while being a nurse?

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
ButterflyBuns said:

 I've noticed that nursing attracts  women who are extremely catty and hate to be in peace. 

I would never belittle your experience and that sounds dreadful.   But I've been in the profession for 30 years working the hospital setting and haven't found this to be true at all.  Now, we all are human beings and not "angels of mercy" but I wouldn't degrade the profession like that either.  

Good luck.  I imagine if your Agency then you have a choice whether or not to be there, or is it like that everywhere you work?  

 

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Are you in a large metro area or just LTC. If so I can see how you developed that attitude. Large urban areas seem more aloof to patient care. Not all areas are like that. Burnout is not a good thing. 

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I work in the VA hospital system in a upper middle class suburban area and they are more drama filled and catty here than it was at rikers island in NYC.  I  was surprised at the level of gossip and back stabbing and racism that goes on. It's so astonishing 

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Specializes in LPN.
delrionurse said:

Are you in a large metro area or just LTC. If so I can see how you developed that attitude. Large urban areas seem more aloof to patient care. Not all areas are like that. Burnout is not a good thing. 

I have found that all areas of nursing in LTC operate this way. As an agency nurse I'm typically in the suburbs and travel to urban areas also. I've noticed in the suburbs the nurses have been the worse. Fake nice and overall toxic energy/workplace. I am looking forward to getting out of this field soon.

Joye Zelaya said:

I work in the VA hospital system in a upper middle class suburban area and they are more drama filled and catty here than it was at rikers island in NYC.  I  was surprised at the level of gossip and back stabbing and racism that goes on. It's so astonishing 

Yes, from my experiences the suburban LTC facilities are filled with the worse nurses I've had the displeasure to come across

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

When we feel stress, subsequently anxiety which stems from the one of two emotions of fear, we may lash out at others.

Lashing out at others is a method to quell negative feelings. We feel better when we have someone to blame for our pain, they become the perpetrator and we become the victim.

In negatively lashing out at others through being catty or gossiping, we are standing up for ourselves and our beliefs. We all like to think that our beliefs are just and righteous, so we either fight the good fight or make the culprits persona non-gratia. We blank them out.

Being a person of integrity is the best way to deal with naysaying hatchet men. Put principles before personalities, be competent and focused. 

"My happiness does not depend on what others do or say, or what happens around me. My happiness is a result of being at peace with myself."

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Specializes in Home Health,Peds.

One thing jumped out from your post.

You said you work agency. 

You are seen as an outsider.

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Specializes in Home care/Travel.

Yes. Standard issue. Nursing seems to be like this. 

I find there allot of jealousy as well. If a family or patient goes out of their way to thank you, this causes animosity.  And do not ever tell anyone because then you'll be castigated as a bragging.  . 

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Specializes in School Nursing.
Davey Do said:

Being a person of integrity is the best way to deal with naysaying hatchet men. Put principles before personalities, be competent and focused. 

"My happiness does not depend on what others do or say, or what happens around me. My happiness is a result of being at peace with myself."

Davey Do,

You always seem to be able to put things in perspective, and provide wise advice!

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Specializes in CNA.

I've noticed the same exact thing , one even put her hands around my neck and squeezed and told me how much she hated me for my race ....there's some crazy people in our profession 

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Developmental Disorders.
oldie said:

I've noticed the same exact thing , one even put her hands around my neck and squeezed and told me how much she hated me for my race ....there's some crazy people in our profession 

Holy WHAT?!

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Specializes in psych, community, peds, LTC/subacute.

Unfortunately, this was my experience as well in LTC/SNF. Since leaving LTC, and having time to process, I believe that this work environment destroyed my confidence and passion to try other aspects of nursing. I'm terrified of bedside nursing as a result- I've seen unimaginable neglect and staff fighting.

If you may humor me for a moment, these environments are toxic from the top to the bottom and therefore toxicity festers on the floors. Many of my coworkers, CNAs, LPNs, RNs, were dedicated, humorous and hard working. I was one of them. They would take me under their wing and teach me everything I needed. Please don't degrade our fellow nurses or women just because of a harsh and toxic environment. 

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