negative nurses

[DDdove, LPN]

I just got off work and although it was a rather stressful night with a new admit, the worst thing that happened was having to look at a third shifts nurse's face when she walks in. Every night it's the same grumpy face. I first thought it was me she had a problem with but after a while I saw she was just so negative that she made herself miserable. She talks down everyone from management, new employees, and aides. She tries to act "cool" around her aides and downs other shifts. I found it difficult to even finish my charting because she was going on and on about everyone and anything. I know of to nurses that have quit because of her and her demeanor. How anyone can think they are so perfect is beyond me. Ugh..

Nursing is so much better with a smile on your face

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

You can't control anyone's else in the demeanor, only how you react (or not react) to it.

"Aw, I am sorry that you are upset about CNA xyz! In my experience, he/she has been nothing but helpful. I think he/she knows the patients so well! In any event, I have charting I need to finish up, so if you will excuse me..."

Some people are just odd. And that can include nurses. I would stay out of it, and make sure that if this nurse comments to you, you say something positive about the person in question, or "I am not familiar with who you are talking about. Everyone here works as a team, I think! Now if you will excuse me..."

Best wishes! And make sure that you are open to a "well, I think you do great" when a CNA is getting down on herself/himself for being part of this nurse's issues.

[ineedavaycay]

Omg this is one issue I just promised myself I need to get over. I have been trying to get through my shifts I am on orientation and it is already difficult. Then on top of that there's this awful woman who talks down on patients staff and I even caught her talking about me. I was already flustered and feeling down because I am trying to get this together and it got me even more depressed. I need to toughen up and ignore this crap. It's just hard on top of everything else.

[bluegeegoo2, LPN]

I have found that the very best defense for people like that is to bolster your own self-esteem and sense of self-worth. The more confident you are in yourself and who you are as a person and a nurse goes far toward not giving two-BM's about what others say/do/think. Of course, getting there takes time and is an on-going process, but the rewards are priceless.

I work behind someone like you describe, and I have to routinely stifle laughing right in her face because I find her utterly ridiculous. I also pity her to a point, as it appears that she is so miserable in her own skin that she finds it necessary to talk down about everyone while talking herself up. It's sad, really.