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

[nurse4theplanet]

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.

[time4meRN]

Most of what you said here would be concidered professional. Don't know if I'm just one of those "old nurses" many talk about. But, I would have no problem saying most of those things to some one. There's nothing wrong with knowing skills to improve your care. That's the kind of attitude that will make you more likley to move on . The other nurse will just work one floor after another, never finding peace. Look at it like this , it's the other person who truley had a bad day and will carry that bad day with them until they change their attitude. You on the other hand can move on with pride. GOOD JOB, from a nurse with 30 years critical care , ER, management etc...:cheers:

[crissrn27, RN]

1. Why, exactly, did you give me 3 new babies that need q4 hour assessments, baths, lots of education for mom, and oh, all 3 are breastfeeding, and gave yourself 2, 36 hour old babies and look at that they are bottle babies.

2. Yes, I can take care of 3 babies with ease, but have you ever heard of "fair"?

3. No, I will not go to the next delivery, I went to the other 2 we had tonight and I don't really care if you feel like you don't need to go to another one, cause you went to "your delivery" last night.

4. Please come back from lunch on time when we have 12 kids to feed.

5.Please don't get "stuck in a room, teaching" when we have a mom-to-be that is 10cm/pushing when you know it is your turn to go to delivery.

6. Please be on time, dressed in scrubs, and SHUT UP while I am giving report, I want to get out of here just like you did yesterday when I got here, and I didn't make you wait while I talked to my co-workers about my lastest problems, talked to my boyfriend on the phone, or got "stuck in traffic" for the third time this week.

whewwww, I feel better now..........thanks, great thread!

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Not everyone at work is "out to get you" No one likes you because you are incompetent, and when you are at work, you're finding a way to avoid doing any work.

No one likes you also, because whenever we try to address these issues with you, you run and cry to the director, and make the people who have been here years look bad when you're the newbie and have the only reason you still have a job is because you and the new director are friends!

[banditrn]

Just because it's nite shift, and it's LTC, could you PLEASE talk a little softer, and STOP using so much profanity!! Like, every other word?!! You'd make a longshoreman blush!

And for my day replacements - I realize you have a life, and I don't - but could you just try getting to work on time for a change? And when you ARE late, please stop acting like I'm inconveniencing you when I insist on giving a full report and counting narcs?

[CseMgr1, ASN, RN]

Stop biting my head off every time I ask a question,

Don't write a derogatory remark on my Performance Evaluation that is a bald-faced LIE, AND:

Don't accuse me of not reading something, when you won't even read my Work Journals, OK? :angryfire

[jill48, ASN, RN]

How about: I know this is LTC and there is not much going on on night shift, but I don't get to nap, so neither do you. :angryfire

[mim-o]

1. Do NOT expect to stand in my face "talking" down to me about my faults from the shift before EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU work behind me because "this is not my old hospital" NO KIDDING CAUSE YOU WOULDN'T SURVIVE ONE SHIFT THERE!!!!

2. When I finally have had enough CRAP and let you know about it-don't go running to the director and have me called in to the office like I was in highschool!!

3. Do not assume anything about me-you don't know me, and furthermore I don't want to know anything from you but report.

4.Just because I come from a much larger facility don't go out of your way to show EVERYONE how "dumb" I am even though i worked there before I lost my mind and come to your lovely work place.

5.MOST IMPORTANTLY----GET AWAY FROM ME AND GET A LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...........

(NOT THAT I HAVE REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT I'D LIKE TO SAY:lol2: )

[TrudyRN]

I can relate. But you know whats sad is these people will have a very unhappy life no matter where they go or what they do. I think as a service to others we need to do what we can to prevent their attitudes from spilling over to others. If that means pointing out the problem then so be it.

Actually, they'll probably become her boss. :uhoh21: Just kidding. Sort of.

Somehow, jerks seem to rise to the top. They sleep around, they bully everyone, etc. They seem to always smell like roses. :monkeydance:

To the OP: you either have to find a tactful way to address them or, better, just move far enough that you can't hear them. Or you could anonymously let the teacher know that you can't hear and that the teacher needs to take back control of the classroom.

To the poster who says the water bag was hot and the dressing was

bloody - I hope you notify the boss. Or gently let your coworker know that you found the pt in a condition different than she told you you would.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

No, it is not okay to talk trash about me behind my back.

One, it will get back to me.

Two, what goes around, comes around, and it will eventually bite you in the butt. I've seen it happen to others, and I will be very happy to see the day when you finally figure out that you need to shut up.

In addition, just because I cannot move as fast as you does not mean that I am not a good nurse. In fact, I've seen you move very quickly to do the wrong thing a couple of times now. However, I do not parade your mistakes to the entire unit, nor do I jump to conclusions about what kind of nurse you are. You have potential, but no, you are not god's gift to nursing.

I come to work on time. I get my work done on time. I am not fooling around (literally or figuratively) when I am on the job. Just because I do not feel inclined to join you all at the bar on my night off does not mean that I am a bad nurse. Grow up, already.

[Rizpah]

I know this is off-topic, but since we're griping about reports that we get, here's some basics of what needs to be given in report, to answer gofigure's question...

Name, diagnosis, code status, attending dr.(s), surgical procedure if any and when, your assessment and vital signs especially the abnormals, pain and how treated, status of any wounds, interventions you did, tests done or pending, lab values esp. abnormals, ongoing problems that need new or continuing interventions, dietary needs (such as thickened liquids, fluid restrictions), any precautions or isolations, quick review of communication you had with dr.'s regarding pt, new orders... I'm sure others can add some more...

I'd LOVE to get report from you!

[cardsRN]

here goes: LOSE the attitude ladies. i mean really, you did not invent the procedure you think i'm a dumba** for daring to ask a question about. you learned about it at some point. guess what! if given the opportunity, i can learn the same stuff as you! then i'll know what you know! you are not more special or better then me. you're not even smarter than me.

we are all colleagues. you are not my supervisor or my mom. so do not dare chastise me like an errant child. i am an adult with my own children and life. and i behave like a professional at work, not like a spoiled brat when you don't get your way... which brings us to:

there are policies and procedures; and then there are your preferences. if i do not do something in accordance with P&P, by all means let me know. if i do not do something IAW your PREFERENCES... do not email our NM about it. i am not going to modify my correct and acceptable (according to facility policy) practice to please you. i don't care how long you've worked here.

and finally, this is a place of employment, not your home. this is not your territory that i am intruding on. stop acting like a bunch of middle school gossipy in-crowd girls and start acting like professional women. it is not about YOU. it is about taking care of our patients.

whoo! felt good to get that off my chest. to bad saying it all here won't change a darn thing.

[Rizpah]

Re: Report - can we get to the pertinent information, like what happened in the last 24 hours, not what the patient did 3 wks ago?

Re: subordinates standing around, on the phone, talking loudly - don't you have something you should be doing? I don't want to hear how "busy" you are when I constantly see you standing around talking.

If your last job at ****** was so great - good wages, benefits, hours, co-workers, etc., Why on earth did you leave and please, feel free to go back!

I know for a fact we covered this information at least a couple of times before, what don't you understand?

Have you ever heard of reading a careplan? Following a careplan?

Why are the fall mats for that resident in bed leaning up against the wall? Are you expecting them to fly out of bed and hit the wall first before hitting the floor?