Nasty nurses

[Sabr, BSN, RN]

I do not like nurses that use their seniority to bully newer nurses. There is this one nurse at my job she seemed ok at first but I feel I have to watch out for her. She is mean and takes advantage of my newness. The last time she had an admission that I ended up doing because she didnt feel like. Initially the patient was supposed to go to a room in my section of the unit but the pt's family decided she wanted to be in a room in another section. It was at that point that it became this nurses's pt but when she realized the family member was crazy and she didnt complete it, I had to. That was number one. Number two she takes first break but takes her sweet time to give me report and comes back late then instead of being available so I can give her report, she starts taking care of her pts while Im waiting to go on break. I really dislike this. How can I demand my respect and stop these older nurses from thinking it's ok to talk to me anyhow and walk all over me?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Honestly? I've seen this more times than I can count, and I can tell you you are not going to like my answver, even if it's pretty much the only one.

Lose the attitude. You have no idea what is going on with the other nurses on the floor, or, for that matter, even this one. Perhaps since you're new they thought it would be a good learning experience for you to complete the admission. Perhaps when you are more experienced you'll understand a short report better and be better organized to do your patient care more efficiently. It really isn't all about you, all day, every day. As Dr. Phil says, a lot of people would be shocked to learn how little other people think about them at all.

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

You don't demand respect.

You earn it. And that takes time

[Heliantus]

You don't demand respect.

You earn it. And that takes time

You will go very far with that mind set! Let me ask you this, when you go to the store it anywhere else where you don't know people do you disrespect them? Since you say respect has to be earned let's just be nasty to random people in our life, because we don't know them, and they haven't done anything to get our respect? Do you disrespect your PTs as well? Or do they earn your respect first??

To OP, I would confront her, tell her exactly how you feel, and ask if you guys can work on something in order to accommodate the both of you. It's not middle school, if she's smart she'll get the point.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I am sick to death of "Older nurses blah, blah, blah..." It's a constant drumbeat here. You don't see thread after thread here berating new nurses. TBH, I'm sure most of us "seasoned" nurses could write volumes on what new nurses say or do, but most of the time we just bite our tongues.

As far as the break issue, when she comes back from break, why don't you say, "Before you go check on your patients, I want to give you report so I can take my break"?

[kungpoopanda]

I am sick to death of "Older nurses blah, blah, blah..." It's a constant drumbeat here. You don't see thread after thread here berating new nurses. TBH, I'm sure most of us "seasoned" nurses could write volumes on what new nurses say or do, but most of the time we just bite our tongues.

As far as the break issue, when she comes back from break, why don't you say, "Before you go check on your patients, I want to give you report so I can take my break"?

Oh yeah? I've seen plenty of posts from the crusty old bats bemoaning new nurses on anything from knowledge to appearance. The new nurses at least have an excuse for being the way they are - they are new, they lack experience. The COBs on the other hand don't miss a chance to excercise their "superiority". Instead of behaving like an ass, why don't they remember when they were new and uncertain?

[klone, MSN, RN]

"Bully" is the new "Black"

[nursel56]

Oh yeah? I've seen plenty of posts from the crusty old bats bemoaning new nurses on anything from knowledge to appearance. The new nurses at least have an excuse for being the way they are - they are new, they lack experience. The COBs on the other hand don't miss a chance to excercise their "superiority". Instead of behaving like an ass, why don't they remember when they were new and uncertain?

A crusty old bat is a good thing to be. I think you mentioned witches and broomsticks in another thread. That gets the point across pretty well without co-opting the meaning of COB.

I'm grateful for you crusty old bats

[dance4life]

Wow I can see wow this field it is the way it is. lol...

[dance4life]

Actually this type of nurse will. She will get people fired while she still gets paid and has a roof over her head.

You will go very far with that mind set! Let me ask you this, when you go to the store it anywhere else where you don't know people do you disrespect them? Since you say respect has to be earned let's just be nasty to random people in our life, because we don't know them, and they haven't done anything to get our respect? Do you disrespect your PTs as well? Or do they earn your respect first??

To OP, I would confront her, tell her exactly how you feel, and ask if you guys can work on something in order to accommodate the both of you. It's not middle school, if she's smart she'll get the point.

[excited1]

Im starting this fall and honestly, i HOPE I get a tough crusty old bat! Do you know why? Its because they know what the HELL is going on in that hospital. They know the ins and outs down to the people who change the air filters. I want someone like that on my side. Tough love is better than NO LOVE. Learn from the crusty bats, wipe off your tears and prep for the next pt. Life isnt about hugs, kisses and unicorns. Nursing IS about respect, yes. And you need to respect the crusty bats. Besides, its the crusty bats that will soon retire and then you can swoop in and take their job. Be thankful for the opportunity! Usually the mean ones are the ones FULL of knowledge and experience that people are too afraid to talk to. Remember why they are in nursing? Because they DO CARE. Dont kiss booty but def take notes. I HOPE one day someone will refer to me as the "crusty bat". Lol. Respectfully to all past, present and future nurses spread your bat wings and fly!

[Fiona59]

You will go very far with that mind set! Let me ask you this, when you go to the store it anywhere else where you don't know people do you disrespect them? Since you say respect has to be earned let's just be nasty to random people in our life, because we don't know them, and they haven't done anything to get our respect? Do you disrespect your PTs as well? Or do they earn your respect first??

To OP, I would confront her, tell her exactly how you feel, and ask if you guys can work on something in order to accommodate the both of you. It's not middle school, if she's smart she'll get the point.

There is politeness and there is respect. Two different animals. I am polite to my coworkers and people in shops. Do I respect all my co-workers? Heck, no. There are some I wouldn't trust to get the coffee order right, never mind care for a loved one. I'm polite to them but I don't respect them.

I can't respect someone I don't know. Pure and simple. I'm polite to them because I don't know them or their work ethics.

Respect in the workplace is earned due to skills and knowledge. Good manners is to be expected amongst adults in the workplace. Huge difference.

It makes me laugh when poster here go on about "I don't get no respect in the workplace because..." Have they ever thought about how they are treating the person "dis-respecting them" (this is a phrase I just don't understand, but I think it might be linguistic differences)