Newer nurse who acts like a know it all

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Specializes in Rehab, pediatrics.

I started a new job a bit ago and obviously I'm the new kid on the block. But even though I'm new to this unit and specialty... I actually have the longest experience as a nurse on my shift.

There is one nurse in particular who has been a nurse for 6 months and feels it is necessary to make her voice heard and that she KNOWS EVERYTHING.

I'm a very introverted person so I didn't argue back but when she asked for my advice I simply told her what I would do... And then she ignored it. Then when she went to a superior that stated the same thing I had stated and she started to say no one told her that.

This particular nurse also had to train me while on orientation one night and I remember going home crying because I was so frustrated. I had to do a "procedure" that she deemed unnecessary and then told me not to do it at all. When dayshift came in and asked why this procedure wasn't done she stated "I thought SOMEONE was going to take care of that but obviously they didn't."

I feel as though she is always trying to undermine me because she feels threatened. I'm very humble and never argue but for some reason she feels it's necessary to make me look bad.

Why do nurses behave like this? We work in an environment that is stressful enough... Why not help each other?

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Specializes in Emergency.

You're most like spot on about her feeling threatened. As you are an introvert my personal approach of "hey man looky here, we're going behind the woodshed" won't work, so i would suggest head down, get your work done efficiently, cover yourself and don't let her rattle you.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

She will hang herself soon enough. Stay out of the way, and like said before me, MYOB and do what you know is right. I have worked with many of these types and they are natural disasters in the making. Stay out of the way and let them go theirs.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Somebody wise once said (I believe Densel Washington) "The loudest in the room is usually the weakest.."

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I started a new job a bit ago and obviously I'm the new kid on the block. But even though I'm new to this unit and specialty... I actually have the longest experience as a nurse on my shift.

There is one nurse in particular who has been a nurse for 6 months and feels it is necessary to make her voice heard and that she KNOWS EVERYTHING.

I'm a very introverted person so I didn't argue back but when she asked for my advice I simply told her what I would do... And then she ignored it. Then when she went to a superior that stated the same thing I had stated and she started to say no one told her that.

This particular nurse also had to train me while on orientation one night and I remember going home crying because I was so frustrated. I had to do a "procedure" that she deemed unnecessary and then told me not to do it at all. When dayshift came in and asked why this procedure wasn't done she stated "I thought SOMEONE was going to take care of that but obviously they didn't."

I feel as though she is always trying to undermine me because she feels threatened. I'm very humble and never argue but for some reason she feels it's necessary to make me look bad.

Why do nurses behave like this? We work in an environment that is stressful enough... Why not help each other?

The difference of opinion on orientation was not your fault, of course. Don't let it bother you. Other staff will see how you operate now that you're off orientation and have more freedom to do things the way you see fit. This other nurse may feel the need to be "right" all the time, or it could be that the two of you have drastically different personalities and communication styles. You should probably attempt to stay on good terms with her, but limit your interactions to a tolerable level.

As a side note, I feel it's OK to ask for advice and not take it. I frequently bounce things off other people before ultimately deciding what to do. My co-workers do the same to me. There's no disrespect in it. :up:

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.
Somebody wise once said (I believe Densel Washington) "The loudest in the room is usually the weakest.."

I am am quite literally watching that movie right now!!

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She will hang herself soon enough. Stay out of the way, and like said before me, MYOB and do what you know is right. I have worked with many of these types and they are natural disasters in the making. Stay out of the way and let them go theirs.
Yep. Just let it roll right off your back. I have learned the very valuable skill of appearing to be very very very absorbed in my charting so toxic coworkers are less likely to attempt to draw me into their little shenanigans at the nurses' station. I also just flat out don't give my opinion unless asked, and I don't give it on hot-button issues, period. Sorry. Not at work. I keep it light, happy, and shallow. Haha. I also just walk away or again, suddenly become engrossed in reading something/charting if toxic gossip starts. Like SmilingBluEyes said, they eventually hang themselves. Seen it over and over.
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Specializes in Nursey stuff.
Somebody wise once said (I believe Densel Washington) "The loudest in the room is usually the weakest.."

Also, "An empty can makes the most noise."

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Specializes in GENERAL.

OP: -what you describe is an aberant personality type that has been around since Hitler was a corporal. Since they tend not to be team players and project a suspicious overestimation of their abilities it should make no difference what their intra-psychic motivations are that drive them to be so peculiar. My hunch is that they are what they used to call " on the make" as in make every one around them feel a bit incompetent so as to bolster a failing ego. Now there you have it. My psyche 101 assessment. So with this said, based upon her uncanny god given ability to cause staff discord and general demoralization, she seems to have a great future in upper level nursing management of some sort. Don't you think?

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Why is a nurse with six months experience training a new hire? Is there a high turn over of staff on the unit? If so, maybe it's a poisoned work environment and her behaviour is just one of many toxic/dysfunctional behaviours that are tolerated on the unit.

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I am am quite literally watching that movie right now!!

Which movie is it from??? I love Denzel Washington!!!

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Specializes in Emergency.
Which movie is it from??? I love Denzel Washington!!!

American Gangster

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