Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

Nurses with fake smiles

Ok I am a RN, been nursing for about 9 years now. Curios to know if any other nurses experience this:

You have a fellow co-worker ( same "rank" as you), that gives off the vibe to you and or others that is it some how "beneath them" to show you any kind of respect or communication beyond the minimum that is needed to do the job. Minimal eye contact, minimal speech.

HOWEVER

When these same sort's of persons are in the company of a Doctor or supervisor they are all charm, big smile, enthusiastic all of the sudden. They suddenly become "team player" of the year like magic. The Doc or supervisor goes away, and they revert back to cool and distant, condescending.

Added bonus observation:

This types always seem to move ahead, get recognized.

Any one experience this?

( you know, I like nursing, day by day am really really getting sick and tired of the politics i see going on, jerks get promoted, and those that bust their butt's get left out in the cold, maybe I will go be a greater at Walmart!).

  • Quote

    • Featured Replies

    I wouldn't say I'm condescending or rude to my co-workers, but I definitely turn on the charm for all supervisors. Getting them to like me makes my life easier. I don't feel like I need to suffer to prove a point.

  • Quote
    • Experts

    My following opinion may or may not be controversial...

    When forced to choose between the genuine nurse who tells it like it is and the phony nurse who offers false reassurances, many patients and colleagues will select the fake nurse. We, as a society, claim to want the truth, but far too many people cannot handle the truth.

    Therefore, the person who is full of superficial charm, little white lies, and fake smiles gets ahead because people remember how they were made to feel. Anyone who makes people feel good will be remembered in a positive manner.

  • Quote
    • Author

    communicator

    You are correct, it is the way it is, people don't want harsh truths. When one speaks a truth, the delivery is very important.

    One would think in the world of nursing from the supervisor, employer point of view. They would want to know the truth, look beyond the BS, select people that are right for a given position , that will do a good job, right and fair, and not the schmoozers LOOK BEYOND the BS'rs.

    I have seen incompetent's get positions, when they screw up, their butt's are covered , they don't get fired, they always seem to get away with "it", "it" was somehow not their fault--when everyone knows it is. I have seen the worker bee's, get fired over similar or less than infractions.

  • Quote
    • Experts
    I have seen the worker bee's, get fired over similar or less than infractions.
    However, if the 'worker bee' has a dry personality, is not charming, and/or simply lacks the likeability factor, management is not going to cut any slack regardless of how good a nurse s/he may be.

    In the workplace, one's personality and interpersonal skills can and will make or break a career. I'd venture to say that personality has a greater impact than one's level of proficiency at the hard procedural skills.

  • Quote

    I thought this post was going to be about nurses who always have a fake smile plastered to their faces (maybe they aren't fake?) no matter who's around. Those ones annoy me, although I guess it shouldn't. They always seem to have an extremely high pitched voice too.

  • Quote

    Fake smiles, as well as fake words (aka. scripting), fake actions (aka. always busy about insane minutes from every policy, some of them created in her head just for that second), fake skills and fake knowledge. "Task-oriented" while not having that much of an idea why all that must be done. Usually comes together with hatred to anyone really smart, skillful, direct and hard-working. Commonly the local bully's best buddy and cooperator. Has tons of friends in administration. Will bite in the back just for fun and sell her best friend in money seem good enough.

    Only one good thing is that such so-called "nurses" almost never get at positions and places where the very real skills and knowledge required. They tend to stay in low-level administration and make others' lives he'll on the Earth.

  • Quote

    Sadly, as a rather inteoverted bur hard-working person, I find this is true. I don't talk a lot at work because I don't know what to say and this has impacted me in both of my careers. Ugh! It really isn't about what you can do or how you do it, is it?!

  • Quote

    Sucking up is always a good thing. That's why they move ahead while you stay where you are:cheeky:

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Add a Comment
    Go to topic listing

    Currently Reading 0

    • No registered users viewing this page.

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.