Nurse tells summer volunteer to not refer to the unit as "We"!!

Davey Do · Dec 13, 2016

Given that the culprit suffers from low self esteem, they are probably going to take any confrontation as an attack.

The vast majority of we who have posted would not have said such a thing- it's rude and condescending. We have insight to our own and others' feelings. Those who lack insight and have low self esteem most likely are not going to have an illuminating revelation as the result of any confrontation.

In my experience, what works best is saying something like, "That's wrong. Don't do it."

I have found the behavior ceases. At least when I'm around.

Libby1987 · Dec 13, 2016

I would have said something, I wouldn't have been able to stop myself, though can't say for sure what it would have been it would likely be along the lines of shocked disbelief, "why would you say something like that?!"

Nothing said will change a crappy person into an enlightened one, it could just drive their crappiness underground. The point of saying something, and publicly, is for the benefit of the kid.

There have been so many posts on this site reporting public mistreatment at the nurses' station where bystanders said and did nothing making the poster think they supported and/or agreed with the mistreatment. They might have just been sheep (apologies to sheep) but either way it is very isolating for the one being mistreated.

Personally, agree with me or not, if one doesn't have the fortitude to stand up to the mistreatment of another, they probably aren't strong enough to work in that environment anyway.

anitalaff, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2016

Thank you emmy27 for your thoughtful words. I took them to heart and I will be more likely to stand up in the moment now.