Is it me or have you noticed that too many nurses are just downright nasty to their colleagues? Not just the Charge RN, but, virtually any other nurse. Let me give you some examples.
-The Charge nurse is talked down to & yelled at, because a nurse "feel(s) that this always happens to me." Or, when giving report, the reporting nurse is short, rude, and impatient.
-Two staff nurses just don't get along, for only heaven knows why, but, there is always some bickering during the shift.
-A nurse can't get the tech to do what needs to be done, while the tech is constantly belittling the nurse to other employees. The tech is loud and curses at the nurse.
-Some nurses seem to always have to write-up another nurse, instead of professionally communicating to the other nurse what the problem may be.
There are many more stories, but, the bottomline is this: I don't see this happening in other disciplines. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but, I just don't see it happening.
I have long believed that there are too many females in nursing, and with our distinct differences from males, female nurses tend to resolved conflict by not resolving conflict, or by having nasty, unproductive attitudes that block any kind of resolution.
And, female nurses seem much quicker to write-up another female nurse, when what's needed is a time of teaching, helping, or just supporting the other nurse, asking her, "How can I help you?"
Professional communication is not only useful for communicating between and among the different disciplines, but, it's necessary for how we speak to our colleagues. Conflicts WILL happen, and we all need to be proactive in finding solutions.
Conflict resolution also involves a lot of listening, understanding, and empathy. Every nurse has had one of those days, and as humans, we can get so wrapped up in what's happening only to ourselves that we forget we have a whole unit of other nurses that are being impacted.
Nursing is stressful. So why not apply some of the same mindfulness techniques to ourselves that we implement for our patients. Techniques such as deep breathing, listening to music, or even going outside for fresh air during our shift.
Our profession has been seen as the most trusted & compassionate profession for quite some time. Sadly, we seem to have lost these qualities when it comes to our colleagues.
When I look at the physicians, residents, & even the dietary employees, I see them working together, gladly helping each other & training each other. I don't see or hear them almost incessantly talking about writing up another employee.
The last thing I want to mention is that many nurses are under stress from all the requirements that we have and many more that are always coming. Nurses need to step back and realize the systemic-organizational level culture that drives the policies and that ultimately adds to the high stress-high fear culture on the work floor. Many nurses believe that they can never make a mistake, as such, many nurses are working in fear.
In order for nursing to continue being seen in a positive light and in order to continue the advancement of our profession, we need to turn that penlight right on ourselves, and begin to make the appropriate changes.
Nursing and nurses will be better for having the courage to self-reflect and self-assess. For the good of our patients, our employers, and our working relationships with our collegues.The time is long overdue and there are many benefits for doing so, whether personal or professional. The time has come, the time is now!
