We have an RN who is a pet of management because she is a good nurse who is good with the patients. On top of that, she is in graduate school to be a nurse practitioner so they really think she is highly intelligent and all that and a bag of chips, too. She actually is a very nice person, but has a little problem dealing with confrontation and stress, though. When she feels overwhelmed she kind of acts nutty. Today, an employee was arguing with her about how she scheduled them to work and she went in the DON's office, threw a pen on the floor, stomped her feet, turned red, then started ranting about how she hates her shoes and she kicked them off and threw them in the break room and was running around in her socks... She has had tantrums before when frustrated with something in management and always apologizes afterward, but, what gives? What can be done with her? She also sits out in the smoking area puffing on cigars and laughing to herself. Sometimes, she has laughing spells in the middle of inservice and will have to get up and leave the room because she can't stop...weird.
Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.
I think that if she's got problems, that they're probably none of your business. As someone with mental illness, I'm sure co-workers have observed some weird behavior from me but it hasn't affected patient care. Bring it up to her if you think it's such a big deal and just ask her if there's anything you can do.
After today me and a couple of co-workers think we have figured out what (one) of her problems is: after an impromptu dance of "Single Ladies" in the hallway when it came on a resident's tv (complete with the gyrating--it was very good for a woman in her upper 30's, actually) we are wondering if it's "histrionic personality disorder." She does have an above average appearance (Kind of like a thin Kirstie Alley) and this sure seemed impulsive and attention-seeking. She also seems to act out more when men are around. It was a good dance, but seemed sexually inappropriate. Should I tell the boss? She's certainly got people stirred up around here, almost to the point of distraction.
I am telling you...I still think this sounds very ADHD. If it is ADHD, she is not only seeking attention by dancing. I dance very often in public, usually to music playing in a store or something, but sometimes I only have a song in my head. It's impulsive, sure, and it has the hallmarks of the more childish mind that ADHDers hold near and dear and isn't advertised to the public as well as the other symptoms, but I know I personally don't do it for attention. I just like to do it, and maybe she does, too. I do many of the things you have listed that this woman does, and the other things you said she does I have read about in researching ADD or ADHD. She probably wonders why you "normal" people don't let down your guard and just dance, too.
If it is ADD or ADHD, she also is likely not speaking about you in this way behind your back. ADHDers generally have a terrible aversion to gossip, but they also have a very keen sense on who does the gossiping.
More people should dance a little at work and lighten up their attitudes. I happen to like that song and see nothing wrong with dancing to it. Probably the patients, who deserve a little more attention in all of this, would love to be able to get up and dance with her.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I agree- it's very unkind to have groups of people speculating about what "one" of her problems "may" be. God forbid someone acts goofy and impulsive sometimes- I do!!
Maybe you can all chip in and buy her a psych consult for her birthday. Do you have any idea how many separate psych diagnoses there are DSM-IV codes for? Me neither. Just the Table of Contents will peel your eyelids off. Leave it to the professionals. (funny little aside- there's a dx code for malingering! Really, it's V65.2!) Wonder if you can get a work note for that.
After today me and a couple of co-workers think we have figured out what (one) of her problems is: after an impromptu dance of "Single Ladies" in the hallway when it came on a resident's tv (complete with the gyrating--it was very good for a woman in her upper 30's, actually) we are wondering if it's "histrionic personality disorder." She does have an above average appearance (Kind of like a thin Kirstie Alley) and this sure seemed impulsive and attention-seeking. She also seems to act out more when men are around. It was a good dance, but seemed sexually inappropriate. Should I tell the boss? She's certainly got people stirred up around here, almost to the point of distraction.
oh my gosh, what is up with you???
on one hand, you describe how sweet, sensitive and loving she is to the pts, how helpful she is to others...
otoh, you want to hang her out to dry.
for crying out loud, mind your own darned business...
ESPECIALLY since she's not hurting anyone!
and NO, it does NOT sound like histrionic personality disorder.
After today me and a couple of co-workers think we have figured out what (one) of her problems is: after an impromptu dance of "Single Ladies" in the hallway when it came on a resident's tv (complete with the gyrating--it was very good for a woman in her upper 30's, actually) we are wondering if it's "histrionic personality disorder." She does have an above average appearance (Kind of like a thin Kirstie Alley) and this sure seemed impulsive and attention-seeking. She also seems to act out more when men are around. It was a good dance, but seemed sexually inappropriate. Should I tell the boss? She's certainly got people stirred up around here, almost to the point of distraction.
Actually, I do think I detect a lil' bit of jealousy here. LOL. I sure would have loved to see her "Single ladies" dance. Under whose judgment was the dance considered "sexually inappropriate".?
As Professional Nurses we all have the duty to assess and report any and all coworkers suspicious activities.
Is it mean to "judge" and "speculate" when we see a coworker who we "speculate" or "judge" to be chemically impaired?
Chemically, physically, mentally impaired....whatever it may be.
We see something, we watch it, judge if what we see may be a threat and report if it is.
Hell its what we are trained to do, assess, report and intervene...its only natural that we do it outside of our patients. Everyone needs to get off their high horse when they are saying "Don't judge" or "Don't diagnose" because we ALL DO IT, and it is expected from EVERY professional Nurse.
If you act weird, expect a little extra attention...common sense.
Now I do not know if this odd person is mentally impaired or just odd but neither do any of you! A Nurse has said that she is observing something strange...never underestimate the instincts of another Nurse. I take every single suspicion or feeling or instinct from any Nurse seriously.
Hell I have had patients that were for the most part perfectly fine, their vitals were fine, they were not in distress nothing physical would have said that the patient was in trouble....except some weird instinct in the back of my ears kept telling me something is wrong. Every time that has happened big bad Ju Ju immediately followed.
There is a point where one has a responsibility to take their valid concerns and documented observations to one who can do something about the situation. Coming to a public bulletin board to talk about it, without action, might not be the appropriate thing to do, after a point. I would certainly hope that no one who reads this thread can identify the persons and facility being discussed. My best wishes to the nurse whose behavior is the topic for discussion here.
for crying out loud, mind your own darned business...
ESPECIALLY since she's not hurting anyone!
leslie
We are not legally allowed to "mind our own darned business."
Another Nurses business is our business. We all have the duty to secure and protect the professional image of Nursing along with the safety of our patients. In order to comply with that we have the duty to assess and monitor the behaviors of every other Nurse.
And no, "not hurting anyone" is not an excuse to turn a blind eye to questionable behavior. Thats the victim less crime excuse.
She has had tantrums before when frustrated with something in management and always apologizes afterward, but, what gives? What can be done with her? She also sits out in the smoking area puffing on cigars and laughing to herself. Sometimes, she has laughing spells in the middle of inservice and will have to get up and leave the room because she can't stop...weird.
fiveofpeep
1,237 Posts
Its kinda mean and unprofessional that you and other coworkers were making guesses on which type of personality disorder she has