My co-worker hates me for doing my job.

[KwowRn]

Working night shift, the only nurses in the building are myself (the RN) and my co-worker (the LPN). The LPN makes it known to me through her actions that she really despises me. She gets mad at me and yells at me for doing my job. For example, I am in charge of a psychotropic audit. When I told her that she forgot to fill out the column from the night before and to make sure it got done, she flipped out at me and yelled, saying I am overstepping my boundaries and that the RN that had my job before me was a much better nurse because she would let it slide. Then, tonight she asked me to sign that I witnessed the wasting of a narcotic. I signed, and followed her to the cart. She told me I could take my break. I told her that I would take my break after I witnessed the wasting of the narcotic. She then got angry and defensive, saying "I didn't realize I wasn't trustworthy." I explained to her that I have nothing against her, and that it's the law to actually witness the wasting, not just say that I did and walk away. She didn't want to hear any of it. She has ignored me the rest of the night.

It is just so frustrating to be yelled at and hated for simply doing my job. I feel as though I can't vent to other staff members about this because they are all friends with the LPN. Is there any advice on how to handle a co-worker who exhibits this behavior?

[notanumber]

Sounds similar to an issue I (LPN) was having with an RCA. I posted about it here. Some people are extremely sensitive to any inference that they may not have been following the letter of the law, even if approached in a non-accusatory and non-confrontational manner. They might see themselves as being "picked on", especially if they don't witness you doing it to anyone else (and if you're handling the team well, they shouldn't be witnessing it). Maybe a sit down chat (i.e. "Do you have five minutes? I'd like to talk to you privately") to gently go over your role and your dedication to professionalism, and how your interactions with her have nothing to do with any personal feelings, and that you would handle things exactly the same way if it was someone else. Then ask her if there's something you can do or change in your approach so she doesn't feel like she's being criticized or punished. Drama sucks, especially when it's over a matter of just doing your job.

Might work well with a reasonable person. An unreasonable person, well, keep doing what you're doing and stay civil. She might adjust, or you might have to involve management to meet with her and back you up on standards of practice.

[Emergent, RN]

Frankly, she sounds like she didn't get her fix that night. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't have her hand in the cookie jar. She sounds awfully edgy.

Always watch her waste. If she is verbally abusive, write her up.

[ponymom]

Ask the pig just why she has to be that way. And I agree with always watching her waste, I'll bet good money the pig is dirty.

[caliotter3]

At some point, her behavior becomes insubordination. Write her up and provide that for her file. You never know when somebody in the chain will decide to do something about it. They won't be able to accuse you of not properly supervising, with the documentation in place.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Then, tonight she asked me to sign that I witnessed the wasting of a narcotic. I signed, and followed her to the cart. She told me I could take my break. I told her that I would take my break after I witnessed the wasting of the narcotic. She then got angry and defensive, saying "I didn't realize I wasn't trustworthy." I explained to her that I have nothing against her, and that it's the law to actually witness the wasting, not just say that I did and walk away. She didn't want to hear any of it. She has ignored me the rest of the night.

Just an aside . . . I do not sign anything until I actually watch the wasting of the meds.

[caffeinatednurse, BSN, RN]

Never sign anything until after you've witnessed the wasting of the narcotic. Otherwise, you could sign and then they could inform you that they already wasted it, but you didn't see it...thus, you have no idea what really happened to that narc.

Write her up.

[emmy27]

Literally the only person I've ever seen get angry at someone wanting to watch them waste was later fired for diversion. I can imagine a way that the request could be phrased/toned to get someone's hackles up even though it's the law, but it doesn't sound like you did that, and, well, it is the law.

This is *not* normal behavior and I'd keep an eagle eye on her and her record-keeping and definitely not sign anything until you see the actual waste (with her or anybody).

[Neats, BSN]

Working in the correctional arena and as a LNHA I find myself with very thick skin. Correctional setting and management taught me to recognize and adhere to policies/procedures. When I have co-workers or staff speak to me in a way that is rude I stop them (with example you provided) and very calmly state You seem very angry,... lets get the narcotic count over with and perhaps you need some time to cool down. I cannot let things slide I want to follow the policies/procedures. I cannot speak about the prior RN that you speak of but for me I need to count, it keeps us both out of trouble. If it continues I will say something like maybe you better take your concerns up to the DON. Have great boundaries and do not get sucked up into the drama. Stay focused and when you find yourself being pulled in just remember that you have verbal skills and can say things like

Lets focus on the patient care right now or Lets focus on getting the narcotic count completed now, if they cannot be professional then document everything and always have some sort of witness around...i.e. when you are being professional ensure an aide/staff member is around that can vaguely remember you asking the nurse something but the nurse turned or, walked away, or was shaking her head no...something to describe what you have placed on paper, in short this aide/staff member has become a supporting witness without them knowing it.

As a manager I always suggest the Employee Assistant Program to employees, a lot of people think it for only when you are in trouble however when my kids were teenagers I called for help in dealing with them when my husband was deployed and I was out number 3 to 1 with my children at ages 15 (twin boys) and 16 (daughter). It is amazing we survived but they are all college graduates! Sure sounds like this nurse needs some type of intervention and I would certainly make a note and send to my supervisor. Make sure you make a copy and write time you handed it your supervisor.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I find the coworker's behavior pretty suspicious myself. She was very hostile for no good reason. I would keep my back to the wall and my eyes on this one. I think something rotten is going on.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

A couple of responses to the LPN statements above:

It doesn't make someone a better nurse to let things slide and to tolerate sloppy practice. Documentation is often our only proof that something was done.

Medication wasting protocols are for everyone's protection. If two people witness a waste, then there is no question later on about what happened to a wasted medication.

As far as venting to other staff members, don't do it. It won't solve anything, and coworkers possibly divulging the contents of what you assume to be a private conversation can only make things worse. This is a matter to take up with your supervisor.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

As some have said, perhaps she's addicted.

Or she hates being an LPN and here you are, an RN and her new boss, and she's jealous.

Either way, let her know you can't allow her to yell at you, you will decide when to take your breaks and she is not the one to tell you when to take yours. YOU are HER boss, you see?

Make her follow all the rules, let her hate you if she needs to. Write her up if you think she's not the boss' favorite child. Write-up's can backfire.

In the past, I'd have advocated trying to get her to like you. Now I just figure "the H with it". I'm almost retired, though. You might still need to work a few more years.

Good luck.