Mean coworker

[NoeIssa]

Hello, Im a nurse on a medsurg floor and there is a coworker who is so rude to me. Ever since I started on this floor she was never nice to me. Every time I would talk to her its like she wouldnt even say anything, its liike she was too good to even have a conversation. Now every time I say something to her she just has the biggest attitude towards me and is so rude. She seems like such a negativer person and I heard her talking about a girl who she barely even knows and saying she doesnt like her. Ive never met a person who was so rude and gave me such an attitude, Its weird because she picks who she likes and who she doesnt like, so she is so nice to the people she likes and is so rude to the people she doesnt. The only reason why this is bothering me is because I am a friendly person and Ive never met a person who was so mean and arrogant and I cant figure out what I did to this person, although shes been rude to me since day one. Its so weird its like she trying to throw it in my face that she likes other people and doesnt like me, by being really nice to them in front of me and then not saying a word to me. I know this shouldnt bother me but I have to work with this person and I feel like one day she is gonna make me argue with her because I can only take so much disrespect. How do I deal with this situation, I already tried being nice and that didnt work. Dont know what to do.....

[CBsMommy]

I once had this co-worker that I worked with in a very small office. She was there for 7 years and was a complete *****. She didn't like ANYONE that started new and she literally had several people that would quit because of her. She would bully people, give them all of her work to do, steal other people's work so that she could get a bigger bonus. She was a nightmare!

I tried to be nice to that person regardless of how hard she made it. When she yelled at me for not taking notes while she was trying to "train" me, in front of the whole office I might add, I had had enough. I told her that I didn't need to take notes and I would appreciate it if she wouldn't yell at me, EVER. I was really nice and professional but very firm. She never did talk to me again. Thank goodness!

She didn't change her tune and I never expected her to. I did however make it clear that I was expecting her to treat me with respect.

Good luck and remember, you are not going to work with this person forever. Just do what you are there to do and leave it at that. Good luck! I know how horrible it can be!

[suanna]

You are not going to be able to do anything about it. It isn't your problem. If this person chooses to be a *$!%# to you it's her loss. Be professional, be polite, but you don't need a friend that you have to work that hard for. I'm sure you are not the only two staff members working that unit. Try to arrange your schedule so you have as little contact as is comfortable, and enjoy getting to know all the other staff. If she comes around- fine- if she dosen't, you haven't lost anything. Most of all, don't let her attitude change the way you feel about yourself. You spend a few hrs a week with her, but you spend a whole lot more with yourself. I wouldn't accept her attitude as any failing on your part.

[houseliberty]

My advice to you is to not care, I learn a long time ago that everyone is not going to like everybody, and if you think about it SO WHAT!!! speak to her only if you have to; take all that energy thats geared towards her in put it towards your work. Trying to be extremely nice to someone like that rarely work, they usually continue to be mean just because they feel that they can get away with it (NO CONSIQUENCE). Stand your ground and stand up for yourself , if she says something to you that you don't like don't just walk away acting like it didn't just happen, address it right then in there, be firm you don't have to argue, but your tone alone will get the message across, people like her is everywhere you can't escape them as much as you would like to GOOD LUCK!!

[RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN]

Girl, I know exactly how you feel. I have someone at work that does me the same exact way.

It use to bother me, and I still think about it some, but not any where near as much as I did.

I just totally ignore her, it was hard at first, but it can be done. If we run paths, I'll hold the

door open for her or may say thanks if she has to witness, but we do not talk to each other.

She calls me names behind my back to other nurses and I laugh it off. She is such a miserable person, it's absolutely awful. So sad really. The Bible tells us to pray for our

enemies. I don't know if you have the same religious values as I, but just go on about your business and start trying to ignore her. She gets pleasure seeing what she does to you.

And I'm sure she see's it even though it may not be so obvious. And I know it's hard to get

it off your mind, but you will just keep on keeping on.

Oh, I also offer this 'frenemy' of mine candy every time I bring some to work.

[Batman25]

Unfortunately there are some unkind people out there. Chances are she thrives on making you uncomfortable so that that power away from her. You can't control how she behaves but you can control your reaction to it. Don't waste your time worrying about her. Stay classy and professional.

[Foley6]

You only have ONE coworker like this, wow, you are lucky. Ha ha. Just kidding. Granted, I have worked with nurses who are the nicest people in the world, and will be my friends for life, but I cannot understand why this profession attracts some of the most rude people that I have ever met. I would just do your job, and act in a professional manner, and only converse with her when you need to. I know it is hard though, when you have to deal with someone like this on a daily basis. Good luck.

[shoegalRN, RN]

My previous preceptor is like this. I just ignore her. Unless it's work related, I don't give a damn if she never speaks to me again. I sure in the hell don't go out of my way to speak to her or greet her. If she is walking with someone I know, I will address that person and speak to them as if she does not exist.

For the most part, most of my coworkers are friendly, outgoing, and helpful. You are just gonna have to chalk this up to that person is just that way. It has nothing to do with you, so don't take it personally.

In my previous career, I had people like that I used to work with. When they saw I wasnt gonna go out of my way to "make" friends with them, they eventually came around. When they did, I was open and receptive.

What keeps me going is that I'm going to work for the PATIENTS, not to make friends or "hangout" buddies. Keeping my personal life and professional life separate also helps.

Good luck to you!

[emnicams]

I too have a coworker like this. If she's not completely ignoring me, she's giving me an attitude. Actually, she treats most people on the floor like this, other than a few. I used to let it bother me, but I realized that I am friends with and enjoy the company of everyone I work with except her... so obviously, it's her problem, not mine. I don't go out of my way to talk to her, except to ask if she needs any help, as I do with all my coworkers when I'm not busy. She always says no when I ask. Other than that, we don't speak. And I really could not care less!