Mean and Nice Coworker

[NewNurse26]

I work on a busy acute floor for almost a year. I have a team member who at one moment treats me like I'm her best friend, and the next like I'm a piece of crap. Like we're in highschool. But if I'm not nice to her, she'll make my work life a living disaster. I'm so sick of this. Sometimes I just wanna wave my white flag and give up. The crap I get from nurses.

[JKL33]

8 hours ago, AmandaBeaverhausen said:

I try to always restock supplies, sanitize the cart, get fresh ice for puddings and water pitcher, etc. Nonetheless, this one nurse always manages to make one snide comment like, " this is all messed up- I know I didn't leave it this way".

In the past I had some fun with stuff like this. Like, in a completely flat/neutral tone - "This a disaster. What should we do." These days I'm boring and just completely ignore; probably wouldn't even still be standing there to hear it in the first place.

 

45 minutes ago, NurseBlaq said:

I don't have time to be trying to figure out which one of you I'm talking to today (nice or mean).

? Truth.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

On 3/6/2021 at 8:41 AM, NewNurse26 said:

 But if I'm not nice to her, she'll make my work life a living disaster. I'm so sick of this.

Not sure why you would surrender your power to this nurse like this.  You don't have to be a victim do you?  

You don't have to be "nice" but you do have to be professional and when it's not returned or the nurse tries to make your life miserable you have to nip it in the bud because you are giving them permission to walk all over you.

This is where the communication skills we learn in school come into play.  Rather than just let it roll off your back and ignore it, although there are times when this is appropriate, there are times for standing up for yourself without being confrontational.  "I don't appreciate that you just......"...."when you did/said this and that, you made me feel...did you mean this?"....etc.

Good luck.