Nurse's nasty attitude in L&D

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There is this older nurse that works on our unit - not sure how long she's been a nurse, but it's probably close to how long I've been alive - and she just has the nastiest attitude. She grumbles every day she comes in, complains about her assignment, complains about our NM, complains about the decisions of the charge nurse, and honestly, I think her face would crack if she ever smiled. She basically ignores me (I am a baby, afterall at 25), which is fine, but what I don't get is how she feels like she is justified to be so negative. I can't stand her energy and feel like she really brings people down. Maybe I am young, afterall, and am just a green new grad . . . BUT I absolutely love my unit and love the other nurses that work there - and who wants a labor nurse that is all sullen and impersonable???? Just my rant . . . Be thankful for the job you have, because I fought with 50 other applicants to work here! Thanks for listening! (or reading, I guess.)

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

She must be burnt out. I work with an older woman. I could have stangled her once because she refused to do a Blood draw after I told the patient to come in (who was fasting) She told the patient that we only did blood draws in the morning (not true!) so she made me look like a jerk for telling the woman to come in. The reason I found out about this is because woman I work with came up grumbling say, "Some one told that woman we could draw her blood I made her no and made her eat." I told her, "We do blood draws all day long, not just in the morning!" she responed, "Well I don't" :angryfire

There is this older nurse that works on our unit - not sure how long she's been a nurse, but it's probably close to how long I've been alive - and she just has the nastiest attitude. She grumbles every day she comes in, complains about her assignment, complains about our NM, complains about the decisions of the charge nurse, and honestly, I think her face would crack if she ever smiled. She basically ignores me (I am a baby, afterall at 25), which is fine, but what I don't get is how she feels like she is justified to be so negative. I can't stand her energy and feel like she really brings people down. Maybe I am young, afterall, and am just a green new grad . . . BUT I absolutely love my unit and love the other nurses that work there - and who wants a labor nurse that is all sullen and impersonable???? Just my rant . . . Be thankful for the job you have, because I fought with 50 other applicants to work here! Thanks for listening! (or reading, I guess.)
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There is this older nurse that works on our unit - not sure how long she's been a nurse, but it's probably close to how long I've been alive - and she just has the nastiest attitude. She grumbles every day she comes in, complains about her assignment, complains about our NM, complains about the decisions of the charge nurse, and honestly, I think her face would crack if she ever smiled. She basically ignores me (I am a baby, afterall at 25), which is fine, but what I don't get is how she feels like she is justified to be so negative. I can't stand her energy and feel like she really brings people down. Maybe I am young, afterall, and am just a green new grad . . . BUT I absolutely love my unit and love the other nurses that work there - and who wants a labor nurse that is all sullen and impersonable???? Just my rant . . . Be thankful for the job you have, because I fought with 50 other applicants to work here! Thanks for listening! (or reading, I guess.)

One day when she starts all of this complaining, ask her if she's so miserable, why is she still there?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
There is this older nurse that works on our unit - not sure how long she's been a nurse, but it's probably close to how long I've been alive - and she just has the nastiest attitude. She grumbles every day she comes in, complains about her assignment, complains about our NM, complains about the decisions of the charge nurse, and honestly, I think her face would crack if she ever smiled. She basically ignores me (I am a baby, afterall at 25), which is fine, but what I don't get is how she feels like she is justified to be so negative. I can't stand her energy and feel like she really brings people down. Maybe I am young, afterall, and am just a green new grad . . . BUT I absolutely love my unit and love the other nurses that work there - and who wants a labor nurse that is all sullen and impersonable???? Just my rant . . . Be thankful for the job you have, because I fought with 50 other applicants to work here! Thanks for listening! (or reading, I guess.)

I know, it is unfortunate that nurses still continue to work when the personality is that of 7 day old bread (worse than day old bread). I do not understand why there are those who must conduct themselves this way.

You will find more I am sure.

Rant all you want. Maybe THAT nurse will see herself in this post and stop.

Always hope, you know.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

DO NOT let her get to you. you will meet many more like her. Just learn to ignore it, look past it, or if she attacks you DIRECTLY to assertively handle it. If you need suggestions that are specific to assertiveness, let me know. I can point you to some EXCELLENT books on the subject, believe me.

YOU MUST NOT let her color your world and experiences. There are lots like her; just do your best to work around it, unless she puts you or a patient in trouble or danger. ((((HUGS))))

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

And if she DOES put a pt in danger, or in any other way make her birth experience less pleasant, it's absolutely vital that you document the incident!! Keep a copy for yourself and give the original to the NM.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
And if she DOES put a pt in danger, or in any other way make her birth experience less pleasant, it's absolutely vital that you document the incident!! Keep a copy for yourself and give the original to the NM.

:yeahthat:

And, when you make a copy, mail it to yourself certified mail and do not open it for future possible litigation. I suggest placing in a safe deposit box as well.

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Specializes in Nurse Manager, Labor and Delivery.

We had TWO nurses on our unit that were miserable to be around. We allowed these women to ruin a 12 hour shift by letting them get away with such behavior. Fortunately we had a wonderful interim manager who enlightened us on the fine art of dealing with such folk. Ultimately they were spoken to about their behavior and were basically told to play nice or don't play at all. They have both since retired. Seems they didn't enjoy not getting the attention from their sour puss attitude as they had been.

Sometimes being brutally honest is the thing that has to be done. Sometimes people really don't realize what they do or say (I know it is hard to believe)...and they go on with behaviors because no one corrects them. Perhaps this nurse needs to be made aware of how miserable she makes life when she is working.

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Specializes in OB.

It seems that at all the local hospitals here, (Rural), the OB nurses are rude to students, and male volunteers just in particular, they all seem to be old and just tired of life, I used to think that I wanted to work OB as a male nurse, but after their impressions, does OB make you like that or what?

CJ in NC

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

it makes me want to work someplace else----or just find a way to deal with those old cranks. Personally I did the rural nursing thing. It was a wonderful , instructive way to learn OB nursing. I worked with several "old cranks" who made my life miserable ---at first.

I asserted myself w/them---but also listened to them, and learned from them. I got to know them as people---and guess what ---most were not all that "bad". Actually I got to feeling like an adopted daughter/granddaughter by some. It's amazing how people open up when you ask a few of the right questions about themselves, and then TRULY listen. Ask them to help you to learn. Ask them what it was like "back in the day"----how they did things and how they feel about the way things are going now. And again LISTEN----really make eye contact and paraphrase what they say back, so they know you are actively listening.

Some you will never break thru or change. Heck w/them. I have found, however, the majority will come around and are VERY good nurses, when you watch them. Give them a chance......the one they did not give you. Then see what happens. If it's a toxic workplace, you cannot change it. You will need to move on in order to keep your sanity.

Like Sandra et. al. said, truly dangerous behaviors need to be officially documented/reported. But if they are just "crabs" try my suggestions and see if things don't get better after a while.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice, Home Health.

usually a bad attitude is a symptom of larger problems. we had an older nurse at another facility I used to work at, and she was ALWAYS nasty...come to find out, after 12 h at work, she had to go home and care for her husband who had had a stroke and basically, she did all the chores and cooking, and everything...so the poor dear NEVER got a break...

atlantarn

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I really want to understand your quote not to trust a 35 weeker. I think this probably spoils your joke, but please - enlighten me!

Thanks!

New grad

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