Need standard response response suggestions

Published

So.... I'm returning to nursing after a long break.

It's cool, I get it I am the "new guy" and need to prove my competence again. But I really hate it when a provider just has to throw out the digs to put you "in your place." I hate my deer in the headlights response even more.

I'm really a competent, pretty likable, non assuming person. I don't want to start assuming there's an a ****** lurking beneath the surface of those I have to work with but I'm getting weary of being blindsided by snarky comments.

I just need a few non passive aggressive responses to tuck away to pull out so I can work my way past the snark and move on.

Any favorites?

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Being matter-of-fact is what works for me. I wouldn't waste time thinking up "clever" responses to things that might be said at some point by someone.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I don't understand the question. Why are you receiving "snark"? And what does that have to do with $$ and proving your competence?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
I don't understand the question. Why are you receiving "snark"? And what does that have to do with $$ and proving your competence?

Me too...

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Being matter-of-fact is what works for me. I wouldn't waste time thinking up "clever" responses to things that might be said at some point by someone.

I don't need something clever, just a standard coherent response to unsolicited undeserving snark. I suppose just ignoring it and moving on works, that's all I've ever done. But I figure I'm old enough for a response that acknowledges the snark as unwanted would serve me better. I just don't think like that, I assume people are decent and relatively professional and kind. I hate being caught off guard.

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I don't understand the question. Why are you receiving "snark"? And what does that have to do with $$ and proving your competence?

You don't understand why I'm receiving snark? Me neither. Because they're ******* that's why I'm supposing. Why are they *******? I don't know. I do know my new nursing coworkers say they're "always like that to new people". So I know it's not anything I'm personally doing. I remember the ******* from the old days when I was a new nurse. Are you trying to say you've never worked with providers that fling snark?

Do you want examples or something?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
You don't understand why I'm receiving snark? Me neither. Because they're ******* that's why I'm supposing. Why are they *******? I don't know. I do know my new nursing coworkers say they're "always like that to new people". So I know it's not anything I'm personally doing. I remember the ******* from the old days when I was a new nurse. Are you trying to say you've never worked with providers that fling snark?

Do you want examples or something?

I'm not saying anything about my experiences with providers. I'm saying that I cannot discern (from your post) what the actual issue is. Perhaps you're being too cute in your posts or assuming too much familiarity with your readers.

Whatever, I don't get it. And I'm not alone.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

I'd say something like, "I'm going to assume you're an educated professional until proven otherwise. I would appreciate the same courtesy."

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I'm not saying anything about my experiences with providers. I'm saying that I cannot discern (from your post) what the actual issue is. Perhaps you're being too cute in your posts or assuming too much familiarity with your readers.

Whatever, I don't get it. And I'm not alone.

Okay no problem. I've never been accused of being too cute or too familiar but there's always a first time. I think my question is pretty clear and I'm not sure how I could clarify any more. Thanks for taking the time to try and set me straight though.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Sounds like some challenging dynamics. I'd suggest just taking the professionl high road and don't engage. If the snark doesn't stick they'll get tired of throwing it after a while.

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Sounds like some challenging dynamics. I'd suggest just taking the professionl high road and don't engage. If the snark doesn't stick they'll get tired of throwing it after a while.

Yes, there are a lot of dynamics. It's a super high volume L&D, and a ton of providers. They all have their quirks,--there's really no way to know them all until you've been there years. And really....they shouldn't expect staff to indulge their quirks but that's beside the point. I get that the tension is high, L&D is unpredictable but they really need to redirect their anxiety somewhere else.

My detour away from nursing gave me an awareness that in healthcare we seem to expect and accept the jabs. That just doesn't happen in all other fields. I'm not saying there aren't other professions with *******, just that it is entirely possible to behave with coworkers and it's not something you *have* to accept.

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Okay no problem. I've never been accused of being too cute or too familiar but there's always a first time. I think my question is pretty clear and I'm not sure how I could clarify any more. Thanks for taking the time to try and set me straight though.

Being tart to people who ask for clarification invites snarky responses.

I get the gist of what you are saying, but without more information on what you are doing that gets a snarky reply, and the nature of the snarky reply, I certainly can't offer any quips.

I can say that I've dealt with ******* of my own and I've found the best way to operate is to make sure you got done what you needed to do with the interaction (Were you notifying the provider of a concern re: pt status? Document that it's done and move on. Were you clarifying an order? Document that it's done and move on. Etc.) and don't engage the attitude.

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