malicious coworkers

[Neko]

Hi all,

A bit of background info. I am currently a CNA and have recently been hired at a LTCF. Since day one there has been this nurse on my shift that seems to love to criticize everything I do.

Now let me be clear, I have no problem with constructive feedback especially when it will help me do my job better but this nurse just loves to put me down and make me feel like I'm a total moron.

I'm a male CNA and everyone on my shift is female and have been working together for a long time so they have a little sisterhood going on which is fine, I can understand that but I really feel like they're out to get me, I get really bad vibes, especcially from the ones who appear to be nice to my face. Maybe I'm just paranoid.. I don't know....

I have a really strong feeling I'm being undermined and that several people wish I'd just quit.. and again I don't know why since i've never done anything that I can think of to give them a reason to dislike me or react to me like this. Everyday I have a shift to work I go in and do the very best I can and try to become better and better and faster each day but to them, espcially this nurse, it's never good enough.

She never EVER says hello to me. Never smiles never says one damn word to me unless it's to complain about something. A couple nights ago something happend that pretty much verfied that this person or persons is out to get me in trouble. I don't want to get into details but let me just say that after I was done with a resident and put everything where it should be I went on break, then magically when I came back the nurse came up to me Bytching about how I left this here and that there and didn't do this. Which I know 110% that everything was the way it should have been which leads me to the conclusion that someone is trying to sabotage my job.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. That's my venting and the issue I'm having. Any feedback or advice would be awesome or if you have a similar story to share please do!

Thanks again! =^.^=

[Marshall1]

Have you thought about asking your supervisor to meet with you and this nurse together? I would not suggest talking to this nurse w/o someone present - I worked, years ago, with a nurse similar to this though she behaved this way toward most everyone. I interacted w/her only if I had to, stood up for myself and ignored her the rest of the time. I never cared whether she liked me or not - to me coworkers are just that - coworkers - not friends. But in your case, it sounds like you may want to take the bull by the horns on this one..if you don't feel the supervisor can be objective go above him or her but I would not ignore this siutation - for your benefit especially. And, if needed, maybe ask to work shifts opposite this person if possible. Sounds like she has been able to behave this way for sometime. Sisterhood or not, this could end up being a big problem for you if not addressed. They don't have to like you but they do need to respect you. Good luck

[utadahikaru]

Dude, this is so common in nursing. This is one of those take action now situations, complain to the big boss and wait and see if it gets better. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and a bully loves nothing more than a little piggy that's too scared to make a peep. If things don't get better, and stay better, then move on. You can't change the world.

[%63theend]

Is it not better to ignore it and let it roll off your back? I'm genuinely curious.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

You have a feeling you're being undermined, but you're a little bit short on proof. It's too bad your colleague never says hello to you and never smiles at you, but that hardly means she's out to get you. It may just mean she's got some personal problems going on that are taking up that part of her energy she isn't dedicating to her patients. Bedsides -- do YOU say HELLO to HER? Do you smile at her? Do you ask how she is? If the answer to all of that is no, then you have some work to do.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

It is really unpleasant to go into work and be ignored. However, as pp's have indicated, these are your co-workers and not your friends. The only thing you can do is to work to the best of your ability, to answer to and inform your charge nurse of important things, and to cover your butt as far as the work you do.

When you are going on break, I would most certainly inform the charge nurse of same. And that you completed HS care on patients such and so, the rooms are straight, etc. If the charge nurse has time to check your rooms while you are on break, then perhaps she can check your rooms WITH YOU prior to your break. When being confronted, I would ask "I am not sure what I could have done differently. What is it you need me to do for this patient?"

If it continues, I would bring it up to the powers that be. Be specific in the tasks that you complete, and the task oriented discussions that ensue with this nurse. If your gut is telling you something is not right--then be sure that you cover yourself well.

[CWONgal]

I have never understood for the life of me why people have to be so nasty and vile to each other. It seems like people who are this way are unhappy w/ themselves and or have internal issues going on. It could also be a control issue. I would say kill her with kindness but sometimes you can do everything in your power to be the bigger person and it still doesn't matter. Someone had mentioned talking to your boss. I'd say watch and see what kind of relationship they have because if they are buddies I don't think it'd bode well for you, unfortunately.