Please advise me...workplace bullying and gossiping

[SaffireWeldon]

I am a new graduated licensed practical nurse. Have been employed by the hospital in acute care since October of 2014 as a casual employee. I have been subjected to ridicule and undermined in front of other nurses by this one individual. I have over-heard RNs talking about others in a hurtful manner and I am finding the workplace very depressing. This sort of behavior has affected me in a negative way as I am scared to ask for any help because of intimidation. I recently was diagnosed with ulcer and I am thinking I may be headed for depression. She has ridiculed me for my charting skills as I am a new grad and well not up to par as she is. She is involved with a clique that only accepts and treats others with more experience than myself with dignity and respect. I am at the point of not wanting to go into work and have isolated myself from the group. Because of this negative experience I feel it has isolated me from the team. I am a night-shift LPN and she is an RN. What I do after doing my charting while patients are asleep in between hourly breathing checks, I take a bedside table and park it in the dim hallway with a good book to read and just read not socializing with the clique..I don't know what else to do...please advise me

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

You can be quiet by nature, but still not get caught up in the gossip. "That nurse is a ___". "The patient's seem to love her, and she has always been nice to me". Make it a mantra to always speak positive yourself, and not get caught up in the drama.

As far as the points to you----don't personalize it. "how do you suggest I move forward?" "What should I be doing differently?" and the very cream of the crop "Thank you so much! I will take it under advisement" and go about your shift.

Be in a place where you can still hear call bells. Make sure you are hourly rounding. Make sure that you are reviewing your orders, making sure your charts are in order. Make sure you are making note of anything that needs to be passed on in report. Further, you could ask the CNA if they need help turning and repositioning your patients who are total care.

When all of this is complete, you could read, but again, be sure it is in a place that where you can hear call bells. Chart as you go, so you are not playing catch up ever. Make note of any am labs or FBS that you may need to do early a.m.

There are very few LPN's who are left in acute care. Learn everything that you can, and remember, you can be an active member of a team even if you don't partake in gossip and drama.

[forgivenfaith119]

My best advice is to speak up for yourself in a calm, professional matter. Once they know they can't bully you and you will just take it, they are less likely to continue.

[QuietRiot]

Take her outside and give her an old school butt kicking.

She'll be your best friend afterwards.

[diana13122]

There is alot of ridiculous behavior from insecure poor mannered Nurses. Blame it on burn out or.. like I said, insecurity.

It's not all you.. believe me. You may want to put your time in, get your skills up, and switch to days or eves when/if possible.

Best of luck and keep up the good work!:)