I have noticed a lot of gossip at work. I know there is gossip at most places you go. We are a very, very busy floor...how do you have time? You walk around the corner, and find a small group of women gossiping.
Well, the other day day I had a patient with a high blood pressure that met the parameters for Clonidine. The family was asking about it (they were very involved in the care!!). Told them she had a "high" blood pressure, and I was giving her this for it, they were fine. Well, one nurse told me I should have said "elevated"..."it sounds better than high or too high". Ok, true that...take it in. She has lots more experience than me. I can take constructive criticism well. Still think I am learning from day to day... I come around the corner THE NEXT MORNING, and she is telling the night shift nurse going off and one other nurse about it...in a laughing manner...ok, laugh at my expense..haha...(and maybe I am being too sensitive on this one, but it does make you feel stupid and hurt your feelings to find someone talking about you). But, I notice this a lot...a lot of whispering, talking, gossiping. How much are they really talking about me? And, I have overheard them talking about other people. I just don't like being a joke to them or being talked about. I know, there is nothing I can do about it. I could be running around like a crazy woman, and some are standing around just talking, on internet, etc.. You may need some help, and you cannot get their attention. I am more quiet too, friendly and talk to people though, but do not have time for all that. I am too busy with charting, orders, meds, pt care, etc... I do not even have time for lunch some days. Anyway...solution-I will continue to work hard, continue to improve as a nurse, be nice to everyone, etc... AND HOW LONG ARE YOU STILL CONSIDERED A NEW NURSE? I have been a nurse for 2 yrs, but I am new to this floor...totally different floor than was working before.
Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.
You work with a bunch of women. It is inevitable. I don't like gossip as it does nothing but add negativity.
Ignore, don't worry, and move on with your business. Those are the kinds of people I AVOID at all costs.
They have nothing to add to one's happiness nor productivity. Surround yourself with people who exude self-assurance and self-esteem and you will notice that this gossipy crap doesn't exist.
Seriously, she's raking you over the coals for one word..OMG, what the hell is wrong with some of these people? Do they still think they're in junior high school??!!:angryfire Sorry if I sound angry, but people like that need a kick in the butt.
Look at it this way, she probably couldn't find anything truly worthwhile to bag you for, so she had to use something. Hold your head high and ignore the witch.
You REALLY have to watch your back (and what you say) at my job. I am thankful that I only work part time. My goal at work is to just do my job and be nice to everyone. It is sad that we are 'adults' but everyone acts like children. I am hoping that I will find a job one day where it is different but for the time being I need to be there- I have four months left in my RN program then will go from there.
lol, this is kooky reason to criticize you. that's exactly how i would say it too! the majority of my patients would understand "high" better than "elevated" relative to most things. they would understand "your blood sugar is running high," better than "your blood glucose is elevated." in nursing school, didn't learn to communicate with the patient in the way he/she can best understand the information we're conveying, however that ends up sounding or looking? i have drawn many a picture or outline trying to get a concept across to a patient who was minimally educated, confused, or just plain too scared and overwhelmed to focus.
when i was a new dialysis tech, a medical student admonished me for the way i spoke with a patient. i was so embarrassed and annoyed. (the patient had said, "i don't feel good today." i said, "you don't feel good? what's wrong?" the med student said, "that's not correct, it's 'i don't feel well.' ") i wanted to go hide in a corner. can't believe i still remember that. sigh.
at my current job, one of the nurses used to critique and correct my triage calls...even while i was on the phone with the patient (not that i'm above learning & improving, but it was too much). thankfully i no longer sit near her.
they sound like mean girls. i hate that. it makes my stomach hurt, just like when i was 8 years old. i know it's hard, but do your best to ignore them. just focus on doing your thing. you know you are doing a great job. don't get sucked into the catty cauldron! maybe their problem is that they wish they were as awesome as you.
It's so sad. Yes, sometimes nurses do eat their young. You have to accept the fact that these nurses will talk about everyone including you. I know it's hard to accept because their behavior is unprofessional and childish. Just remember that one day you will be the experience nurse and you will be put in the same position. Just remember not to do the same thing. You will be the newbie for a while before they will accept you. Keep working hard and realize that you will always learn new things every day. Stay strong and remind yourself they are acting immature and they were once in your shoes. Keep up the good work. Don't waste time focusing on them because it will get to you and and soon you'll start becoming insecure. Block them out and and stay focus. Say a little prayer to God and He will guide you.
Women suck... I can't stand how we all are to each other. I read/heard somewhere a long time ago this saying that went something like women could rule the world but they spend too much time tearing each other down..etc. Basically women are their own worst enemies.
I hate the feeling of being picked on by other women...I am only in school right now (not a nurse yet) but even in my current job I went home in tears last week because a (female) coworker basically bullied me to tears. I felt like such a child, I tried not to let her see that she made me upset but geesh...why do we treat each other like this?!!
I think you sound like a great nurse and kudos to you for staying above all of this, you sound like you're handling all the petty nonsense better than I would!
There was a study done by Martha Griffin RN, CS, PhD in The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing regarding lateral violence. This might be good to look up again.
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i hate that. it makes my stomach hurt, just like when i was 8 years old. i know it's hard, but do your best to ignore them. just focus on doing your thing. you know you are doing a great job. don't get sucked into the catty cauldron! maybe their problem is that they wish they were as awesome as you.
PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN
2,211 Posts
You work with a bunch of women. It is inevitable. I don't like gossip as it does nothing but add negativity.
Ignore, don't worry, and move on with your business. Those are the kinds of people I AVOID at all costs.
They have nothing to add to one's happiness nor productivity. Surround yourself with people who exude self-assurance and self-esteem and you will notice that this gossipy crap doesn't exist.