Things you wish you could say to your co-workers...

Nurses Relations

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Ugh! Feeling a little frustrated today with some other newbie nurses (I am one myself). As part of orientation, we have several tasks that we have to complete and classes to attend. I find them very beneficial. However, it seems there are one or two immature individuals that insist on complaining, degrading, disregarding, and disrespecting every lecture, inservice and instructor/guest speaker that we have. It was easy to ignore at first, but now it seems it is spreading to other previously satisfied new grads who want to be part of this little group. Sometimes, I wish I could just speak my mind, but it would not be very professional...

- Yes, it is important that I know how to read EKGs forwards, backwards, and sideways in case my pt has a rhythm change and I need to intervene. :trout:

- Yes, I do need to know how to interpret ABGs even though we always have a respiratory therapist, because there are other assessment findings that I must take into consideration when providing treatment.

- Yes, I do want to learn how to read a 12 lead even though the diagnosis is generated at the top of the page...it is not always accurate.

- No, I don't want to have to move closer to hear the instructor/speaker because you want to gossip about how much you drank this weekend, your friend from highschool that got arrested, or which doctor you think is hot. I happen to think hemodynamics is an important aspect of critical care.

- No...I don't chart before I do something, I do follow the 'stupid' protocols, and I do take notes during these classes and read up on the newest recommendations outside of work. That's because I value my license.

- No...I don't know how you made it through nursing school either. :trout:

I guess I am just having a bad day. But being around this group for a few days reminds me of highschool too much. It's like watching an episode of the hills on MTV. :trout: It appalls me that some people lack such maturity and professionalism, yet choose an advanced area of practice. And then claim, they are going to apply for CRNA school after a year. Good luck with that when you don't even know the oral care protocol or why it's done.

Specializes in Tele, ICU, ER.

Ok more from me...

About report - give me what I need to know, not the minute by minute history since they walked in the door (different if they rolled in the door and it's BEEN a minute by minute adventure, of course).

If you're occassionally charge, do not interpret every vent from someone on a tough night as a personal slight against you and walk around saying "do YOU want to be charge", interjected into quiet conversations that have nothing to do with you. One of these days my answer will be, No thanks, but I sure hate YOU when you're charge. Get off your power pedestal and HELP for a change, hmm? Oh and quit whining to the House supervisor AND the director that "nobody listens to me!". Get over yourself.

Excuses are not the same as doing your actual work. Dont think we don't all see you sitting on the phone or chitchatting with someone about your personal life, when you could be finishing up your work before report. The "oh I didn't see that order that was written 30 minutes ago while I was on the phone" only cuts it once - then we get irritated.

And again to that sometimes-charge above, if we're insanely short staffed, and have nearly doubled our zones to cover the beds, and we're running around insanely trying to keep it all together, expect to hear venting. No one thinks you caused the short staffing, or the patient overload - it's not about you - get over it. Keep up your tidy little tattle-tale attitude (with your friend the director) and eventually it WILL be about you. Let's see how you'll like that, eh?

going back tonight for 3 nights - pray for me.

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going back tonight for 3 nights - pray for me.

Oh MY Gosh-do we work with the same people:lol2:

Sending prayers and good vibes your way girl---

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

...Please stop coming to me after your shift with the "Oh whoa is me" eyes and the exasperated sighs while saying it was another horrible/crazy day. Every time I talk to you it is the same. We ALL have bad days but when it is EVERY DAY I am inclined to believe that is has something to do with YOU.

...Please leave your negative attitude at home. I am sorry you find it necessary to argue and confront others as if everything is a personal attack against you. Your attitude is toxic to the floor and we are sick of hearing it. Get some therapy,meditate, do yoga, or just be quiet. If you find it so unbearable to work here, feel free to LEAVE and seek greener pastures.

...No, I don't know every single detail about my patient and that doesn't make me a bad nurse. I just spend 12 hours running around like a mad woman trying to keep up with the never ending flow of STAT orders from the admitting and 4 consulting physicians, assists with ADLs, and numerous family members, new admits/discharges/transfers and many other interruptions. I have a full bladder and an empty stomach and when I finish giving you report I still have to OPEN my charts. I already feel like crying or exploding so forgive me if I don't know every minor detail in which you are inquiring.

...Nursing is 24 hrs. That's why I am not staying to do the new admission who was brought up from the ER 5 minutes ago. I have done their vitals and they are stable. I would expect you to do the same.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, MS, ICU.

Ahhhh.....I see the lazy fairie has graced your presence again. And, she seems to have beat the heck out of you today!

Could you not look so excited to see me during report. Makes me feel like my night is going to be looonnnggg!

They are called orders and you take them off and check them before you leave. Oh, and that is called a patient you are responsible for checking on them every so often...You know between phone calls to your BOYFRIEND!!!

It may not be such a good idea to keep calling in sick on Sunday mornings claiming to have a "Stomach Bug". The night staff understands that you are young, and enjoy going out on Saturdays. Call us crazy but we also expect you to be a little more responsible and show up for WORK! I so enjoy staying extra hours so that you can sleep and feel better, while we look for coverage for your shift. Thank you!

I think it is great that you have such beautiful undergarments, I just don't need to see them everytime you check your foley chambers. Also, could you not wear leopard prints under your white pants...It is a little tacky!

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
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...Please leave your negative attitude at home. I am sorry you find it necessary to argue and confront others as if everything is a personal attack against you. Your attitude is toxic to the floor and we are sick of hearing it. Get some therapy,meditate, do yoga, or just be quiet. If you find it so unbearable to work here, feel free to LEAVE and seek greener pastures.

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Bravo! Worth repeating!

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Specializes in MED SURG PACU ER TRAUMA ICU (ALL) BURN.

My Favorite is :

A Lack of Planning on your part does not constitue an Emergency on mine!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, MS, ICU.
My Favorite is :

A Lack of Planning on your part does not constitue an Emergency on mine!!

I feel your pain on this one...Don't you just love when the nurse before you sets you up for failure! How considerate of her/him.

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I'm standing in the shower room, not the Bermuda Triangle. I need some help here. Answer that call light!!

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Specializes in acute care.

NO, don't get up! I understand that the game you are playing on your laptop is FAR more important than caring for your patient's needs

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To M on my shift: I swear to G*d if you huff and sigh one more time I will not be reponsible for my actions. It might get ugly.

And I swear to G*d, whoever is drinking my soda out of the staff fridge, despite it being clearly marked, if I find out who you are, you might soon be sleeping with the fishes. In any case, I think I am going to get some prank cans of soda, and let you have at it. Enjoy spending the night in the crapper after you drink my castor oil laced soda.

I also want to let you know, when I put up that sign on the fridge that said I spit in all my food before I put it into the fridge, I wasn't kidding. Hope you enjoyed my sputum on that lentil bean and rice casserole.

I hate the huffing and sighing thing myself.

As for people getting into my food---I would make this "special" sandwich--with a lot of habenero peppers. Those will take a layer of skin off the tongue. They are the hottest ones I know in the produce section, and I can remove them from the sandwich before I eat it.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER.

As a nursing student in preceptorship... I do not care to hear about your sex life, sex toys, or boyfriend. I find it very unprofessional to see you talking about your coworkers :madface: and I don't care to join your gosip group! I am here to learn and don't really care about you at all. I just want to learn what I can then get the heck out of here and try to study for my next exam.

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Just because you have been here 19 years since you graduated and I have been here only 3 with 28 years experience total does not make you better then me and does not give you the right to treat me like a new grad.

Just because you have been here 19 years if it is not in the policy I am not doing it. I do not care that you do it all the time.

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