Mean nurses and High Turnover

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I've been working in this unit about 9 months now, and have seen staff come and go like no other. The girl who was my preceptor has turned evil, and is mean and condescending to me and other new staff. I've heard from fellow co-workers that people view her as being arrogant, walking around like she thinks she is "super nurse." She and a few others in our unit have this clique where they make the others feel isolated when we have to work with them. They gossip about others, especially nurses who might be pretty or confident in their knowledge/skills, and brag about situations where others may have made a mistake. They thrive on other's shortcomings and don't help out when there is a problem. I brought this up to my manager the other day, but it seems like nothing was ever addressed. Yesterday I found out that several of the nice nurses have either quit or went to night shift because they couldn't stand the attitudes and mean behavior of these people on day shift. Now, it's back to working with only a few people in addition to the group of mean ones.

I appreciate your suggestions.

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:yeah:Way to go Sister! Speak your mind. I would just like to say that ANYONE who brags in ANY area of healthcare service is a "knat" and should be squashed. Tell them to find a stage to scream on and a WILLING audience to listen to their crap!! I'm sorry that you have to work in that enviroment, however I would just be the most friendly nurse you can and laugh it up as much as possible. They will never know what hit 'em. Prads...

Prissy

Rude

Arrogant

Disturbed

Scavengers

They are just looking for validation. Awwwww. Poor Prads. Give yourself validation that you don't need a "multi-wipe" of your ass, several times a day.

*pppffffttt*

These nurses should be around some really flatulent, obese, hairy patients for a while to remember how to laugh.

(((big hug)))

Hang in there.

Paula:bowingpur You are better than most to hang in there! Give yourself "props". *grin*

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It happens to certain hospitals no doubt. I had been to one hospital that the senior staff nurses' attitude is exactly like yours! It is universal problem. Not only ICU but elsewhere too. I am sorry that you have to be in this environment. Sometimes I see the manager couldn't do anything because in his/her eyes, the "super" nurses are more valuable than you. But if you are willing to absorb their good and forget their bad, you can be very tough then.

I have found a greener pasture last year and I have to tell you that I am happy to meet those nasty situation like you do. It does make us STRONGER! I have tried no.2 before I tried no.1..

You have two option:

1. Find a conducive environment to work in that you can have job satisfaction. The happier you are, the healthier you are.

2. But if you really want to stay in that ICU, find support networks, be it religious, activities, online... to get back your self-esteem and self-worth.

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Specializes in Not too many areas I haven't dipped into.

OMG, I absolutely hate working with arrogant people but over the years, I have kind of turned it into a game.

I have found that these "perfect people" really don't know as much as they think they do and there will come a time when you can point that out to them in a kind , smiling way!

People who think they know everything are dangerous not only to themselves and their patients, but to the unit.

Here's hoping that they all have big code borwns for the next several shifts!!!

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