My question is: Why are nurses so mean to each other?

BradleyRN · Jun 10, 2008

I am a male nurse and relatively exempt from this type of behavior. However, just in general and a few times early in my career i had to deal with such nurses. I have always found the answer to be confrontation. Many may not agree, but i always seemed to get results by calling them out for their behaviors, instead of keeping it bottled up inside. Once they see you have a backbone, they will leave you alone. Stand up for yourself not just against these schoolyard bullies, but against management whenever necessary as well. If you let anyone mistreat you once, then they will expect to get away with it from then on. So stop them the first time and watch your whole trip turn around! It really works! Good luck! :up:

lil' girl, LPN · Jun 10, 2008

Pure and simple jealousy about one thing or another.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2008

When I worked for a newspaper, in an all-male department I was practically run away because of what people speculated about me. But perhaps as a gay male, it's been easier to be with females whom I find more accepting and trustworthy than str8 males. Just sayin'........everyone's experience is difference so it's hard to generalize about the entire female nursing profession that no one can be trusted and everyone's mean and hateful.

alyx · Jun 10, 2008

Leslie....seriously...I've been reading your posts for awhile now....style at all times!!! I think you missed your calling....you have "journalist" written all over you! I love how you say things...I suspect that if I were in need of nursing...I'd want YOU at my side...but then I'd want you to write about the experience and report to the world...you have a way of expressing the truth in such real and spot on ways. Thanks!:thankya:

RNperdiem, RN · Jun 10, 2008

Let's put people together in a high pressure, fast paced environment. Give them a lot of responsibility and limited authority. Breaks are not a sure thing. Make sure there are no private spaces like cubicles or offices to hide out in. Make these stressed people share the same space so they are in each others' faces all day(12 hrs+). Small irritations get magnified.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2008

Believe in yourself and CARE enough at what you do....

Leave your personal life at the timeclock.....

I share some things with my coworkers, but I don't share my sex/family/or social life....

It's nice to have some friends on the shift, but I'm there to be a worker first...and friendship falls 2nd when you're charge.....

and being a man, I like to think that as the minority, I do better when it's just me and the "women".....cause I lend that welcome perspective....

Logos · Jun 10, 2008

I take issue with this. "Catty" women and all that crap. Talk about berating your own sex- You just feed into this BS? & I personally don't know any women who were ever in beauty contests. I know my mother taught me to be independent and strong and kind. I know many, many good strong, independent, kind, women who are nurses and many who are not nurses.

Just to read this thread is insulting to me as a woman. Its revolting that you sterotype women in such a negative way. Yuck.

Their are just as many mean spirited and conniving men out there- being a woman is not what makes people difficult to get along with and I don't know how you can put your selves down in such a terrible way by stating that it is our gender that makes us "catty." Good Lord people! It's so frustrating. In one thread I read everyone crying that they are not being taken seriously enough in the medical community- and in the next I read this sexist crap. Are you also implying that female physicians are catty by nature because they are female? Just stop insulting women with this crap- start lifting each other up instead of tearing each other down. I am quite sure that someone will disagree strongly to what I am saying and take offense, but I really don't give a crap because like I said I was raised to be a strong independent thinker and people not agreeing with me is just fine, but people insulting each other based on their gender- that is not fine.

anurseuk · Jun 10, 2008

Sorry to hear about your experience, I would say that any field in which you work you will come accross these sort of people.

I believe that some people are just not team players and in any environment they will cause trouble... the thing is to protect yourself first :)

morte, LPN, LVN · Jun 10, 2008

[color=#003399]woman's inhumanity to woman by phyllis chesler (paperback - jan 28, 2003)havent read too much of it, was scanning a friends library....seems like it might be applicable

sistasoul · Jun 10, 2008

I know what you mean. I am always going around asking other nurses "do you need any help?" or "Are you doing ok?" while one is always trying to get me into trouble or sabataging one of my patient's IV's by turning the pump off and not telling me. She will do/say anything to make herself look good and at the same time make others look bad. I dont understand it because I have never instigated it. I think there is that type of person in every career path...sadly.

This is a dangerous person to work with. I am apalled at reading this:angryfire. Does anyone have proof this person is turning off IVs? I could not work in an environment where I would always have to be rechecking my work to make sure it was not being sabotaged (spelling?). This woman needs professional help before she kills some one.

LadyJRN1 · Jun 10, 2008

Thank you all of your input - it gives hope that I am not really crazy, that I am a good person, a good nurse, and I do love my fellow man! Thanks Again!:loveya:

leslie :-D · Jun 10, 2008

[color=#003399]woman's inhumanity to woman by phyllis chesler (paperback - jan 28, 2003)havent read too much of it, was scanning a friends library....seems like it might be applicable

wow, morte.

i feel somewhat vindicated.

it's interesting to read this is a societal and historic phenomenon.

me thinks i'll have to go and buy this book.

leslie