Nurses who gossip and talk behind your back.

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Specializes in LTC.

I found throughout nursing school and working in the hospital that alot of nurses seem to be crabby and often talk nasty stuff about their coworkers and I find it very petty. Is this a way of relieving stress or what? The bad attitudes of many nurses(there are some nice ones) is one of the reasons why I'm dreading the thought of going back to work. The nurses "eating their young" is such a horrible situation to be in, and I'm about to face it. In addition to what I've seen and experienced, there are some posts that I've been reading lately just on all nurses that brought back memories. Alot of these posts included so much bitterness and nastiness that it makes me sick.

I'm studying for my NCLEX exam at the moment. How can I tolerate certain people? How can I tolorate the nastiness and gossip that I've seen over the last few years? I wish this stuff doesn't bother me but it does.

Btw, I don't expect nurses to act all "hunky dory" and happy all day, but I'm talking about the ones(many) who are hardly ever nice, especially to students and new nurses.

I just needed to get this off my chest...maybe this is all I need...either way I gotta deal with it.:p

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Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.

I tend to totally focus on my patients. I think some of the " talking behind backs " is stress relief for some and immaturity for others. Yeah, it is petty. But, all you can do is the best you can for your patients. There is something very nice and rewarding when your patient suddenly takes a turn for the better or when your patient says thank you. Lots to like about nursing also. Good luck on your NCLEX.

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Specializes in LTC.
I tend to totally focus on my patients. I think some of the " talking behind backs " is stress relief for some and immaturity for others. Yeah, it is petty. But, all you can do is the best you can for your patients. There is something very nice and rewarding when your patient suddenly takes a turn for the better or when your patient says thank you. Lots to like about nursing also. Good luck on your NCLEX.

Thanks Meli,:D I am so looking forward to working with my geriatric patients, I know that I'm going to love it. I guess things will be great once I'm off of orientation and on my own, until then, BLAH, LOL!

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Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.
Thanks Meli,:D I am so looking forward to working with my geriatric patients, I know that I'm going to love it. I guess things will be great once I'm off of orientation and on my own, until then, BLAH, LOL!

Best part of LTC is the relationships you build with the residents. I have not even been at the facilities that long and find I have a fair rapport with the residents I've been taking care of. :D

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Specializes in Critical care.

Just remember that anything a gossip says to you behind someone's back, the same is most likely being done to you by that gossip. Be careful not to get too personal with people at work, and try not to go out socially if you can help it. I've seen a lot of drama carry over into the work environment that stemmed from social events. People might think you are a snob because you don't go to the bar after work BUT you won't be giving people ammunition to use against you later. It can feel a little isolating if you let it but that is what outside friends and family are for.

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that is my life story here. my rn team leader, after I told her that we wouldn't be doing a pap since she was menstruating, she went tot the other lpn and repeated the conversation in a mocking tone.

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I Agree With Southern Fried Rn. If You Only Talk About Work Related Issues And Focus On You Work Theres Little Room For People To Have Much To Gossip About ( In A Negative Way At Least) You Might Just Hear Compliments.

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I do not socialize outside of work with any co-workers & I do not share my personal life/problems with anyone at work. I've seen the big problems due to staff socializing after work; RN's & LPN's who stop at the bar after work with CNA staff & then wonder why those CNA's don't respect them when they are on the job is a BIG issue. Then there are the nurses who date male CNA's...that is a big problem where I work. There were even 2 LPN's who were fighting over one of the male orderlies...he was dating both of them so it was quite ugly! When I spoke to one of those LPN's who is dating a CNA, she told me it is her business what she does in her private life but I reminded her she isn't keeping her private life at home by talking about it at work all the time. She told me she was going to report me to the DON about talking to her about her private life, I told her to go ahead. When she went to the DON, the DON backed me up & told her the same thing. I can't believe people are so stupid, they have no pride in themselves! Sorry for this rant!

Jerenemarie

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Specializes in LTC.
I Agree With Southern Fried Rn. If You Only Talk About Work Related Issues And Focus On You Work Theres Little Room For People To Have Much To Gossip About ( In A Negative Way At Least) You Might Just Hear Compliments.

The gossip is only a small fraction of my concern, I guess it's mostly the bad "attitudes" that concern me. Maybe I should have titled the thread "Nurses with bad attitudes." But really, I can't stand it when I see someone talk crap about someone and then be all nice to their face, and I've seen that so much in the nursing field it isn't even funny(oh and in nursing school, yup).

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I Agree With Southern Fried Rn. If You Only Talk About Work Related Issues And Focus On You Work Theres Little Room For People To Have Much To Gossip About ( In A Negative Way At Least) You Might Just Hear Compliments.

then they just gossip about your work

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Specializes in ICU.
Just remember that anything a gossip says to you behind someone's back, the same is most likely being done to you by that gossip. Be careful not to get too personal with people at work, and try not to go out socially if you can help it. I've seen a lot of drama carry over into the work environment that stemmed from social events. People might think you are a snob because you don't go to the bar after work BUT you won't be giving people ammunition to use against you later. It can feel a little isolating if you let it but that is what outside friends and family are for.

This is sooo true, and such good advice to give. I agree that you should go to work and leave your personal life at home. I don't get involved with people I work with. We are friends, but it stops at work. Also, you are SOOO RIGHT about the gossip person. If they tell you gossip about someone else, you pretty much KNOW they're gossiping about you to someone else behind your back. Steer clear of that. If someone starts gossping and you can't change the subject, just simply say, I don't like to talk about people, that is their own business.... You might get a funny look from the gossiper, but it will stop the gossiping around you!

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

It's not just nurses, it's anytime you have a group of women. Offices have the same problem. My sister works in a large office and it drives me nuts to hear her talk about all the back stabbing that goes on there. Cattiness and women seem to go together. You would think that being scientific and rational would trump the desire to trash on others, but it doesn't. Sad, isn't it? I've always tried to keep my mouth shut and stay out of these gab fests because they only lead to trouble.

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