Why are nurses such back-stabbers?

Nurses Relations

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Why do nurses feel the need to "tattle" on colleagues to the boss for petty things? Behavior like this does nothing to elevate our profession and everything to keep us down. Why are there some nurses who feel superior when they tell on someone to the manager? This recently happened to me and I thought I had a good rapport with my co-workers yet one of them ratted me out to the boss on an off-the-cuff remark that I made. Why does this happen? Is it because the majority of nurses are women and women are catty individuals. I'm a woman btw. From now on though, I am just going to do my work, and only talk to the other nurses/aides about clinically relevant stuff only. Other than that, I'll keep my nose in a book. Actually, I won't be working at this current place much longer. There are staffing issues that put my license in jeoprady so I am starting a job hunt after the holidays.

So, why do we do this to eachother?

Specializes in EC, IMU, LTAC.

Pardon, they are the PHYSICALLY WEAKER sex who couldn't muscle their way around like men could.

Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.
I have a friend that just started working for Hospice. He says he feels like he's working for Disney World the people are so happy. There goes the myth that chromosomes are the problem.

I think the key is the organization makes a financial committment to their employees through positive reinforcement, counseling, team building etc. Most other environments are more about cutting costs, making nurses run short, and not caring about fixing toxic environments when human beings turn catty.

Amen to that Tweety. I did have to have a laugh at the Disney World comment but heck it works for me..I totally agree with your comments. Our organization is very much based on positive reinforcement and team building. Even though we are all Case Managers ( working autonomously ) we still very much work as a team. There is the secret right there.

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

Maybe some people in general are back-stabbers. And some people are nurses. And some environments are conducive towards encouraging negative behavior. And so it goes.

I used to work in an all-male office except for me. Many of them were back-stabbing gossipers. So this isn't exclusive to women, or nurses.

Specializes in school nursing.
Pardon, they are the PHYSICALLY WEAKER sex who couldn't muscle their way around like men could.

Not always true - if you had the opportunity to work with some of the ladys in prison like I have you would have a healthy respect - many have killed men with their bare hands and teeth and sit in jail to tell about it. Welcome to the new age of steriods and fitness training folks - the old steriotypes die hard I know - but things have in fact changed.

Maybe some people in general are back-stabbers. And some people are nurses. And some environments are conducive towards encouraging negative behavior. And so it goes.

I used to work in an all-male office except for me. Many of them were back-stabbing gossipers. So this isn't exclusive to women, or nurses.

I've read statistics that men actually gossip more than women. Before nursing I worked in a cabinet shop. Men gossip, but I do think they work better as a team. I switched from an all female unit to one with all men on nights, and it's been a welcome change.

Specializes in Case Manager, Home Health.
...that you deem to be fact...recognizing a fact...

This is now the second misquote from you regarding what I said.

I never, ever said this issue is "fact." This is my observation and my opinion and I know you don't like it nor do you agree with it and that is fine. But please do not put words into my posts.

i think this depends on your personality & insecurity. gender?? i don't know about that...i have seen plenty of males do the same thing. i personally don't care what anyone does as long as the pt is safe, & their actions do put anyone else in jeopardy. i also think a lot of people set themselves up for gossip....i am just what you see & i don't give a hoot what anyone thinks. just my :twocents:

amen!

yes, we all know gossip is unkind and not professional. however.....it is also equally unkind and unprofessional for me to know things such as:

- the last time you had sex with your husband

- your illicit affairs

- how you drool over the sick ladies husband every time she comes in for a surgery

- how many piercings you have in your nether regions

and so on....

it truly amazes me how many have diarrhea of the mouth and constipation of the brain, yet are the first to become offended when their unsolicited stories become fodder for the gossip mill.

If I can make it through nursing school, I'll have lots of self esteem!! :trout:

The Karma bus eventually catches up with the backstabbers. We had a nurse who was always reporting others for piddley stuff. Our complaints against her never went anywhere. Til recently when it was pointed out to a fill in supervisor ( regular RN picked a good time to take a vacation ) that there was way too much of a certain med left over at the end of the month. She is no longer employed there.

:smiley_abfunny, same thing is happening to me. i was not going to do anything about this particular RN, until she trashed my name, character, & self. now, i have a grievence against her due to the fact of false statement. And to think she's very loud & lazy lazy lazy. So i begin with her drama. She will be crying, talking trash, wanting to celebrate her pitty party. Watch out !:argue::angryfire

The Karma bus eventually catches up with the backstabbers. We had a nurse who was always reporting others for piddley stuff. Our complaints against her never went anywhere. Til recently when it was pointed out to a fill in supervisor ( regular RN picked a good time to take a vacation ) that there was way too much of a certain med left over at the end of the month. She is no longer employed there.

Glad she got what she deserved! It makes me sad that so-called professionals make it the point of their day trying to tear people down!

Specializes in Hospice.

Bottom line it comes down to work environment. If management is allowing gossip to permeate then it will flourish regardless of gender.

It would be great if all reasonable people could avoid "poisoned" work environments. This way, the employer is forced into changing their management style or, be stuck with a bunch of misfit employees. ;)

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