Really, really trying to see both sides of the coin...

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

But my last nerve is getting raked by this girl.

This is no intention to slam her or her problem, BUT.

It gets really old for her to be smart allecked with everyone, have a hateful attitude from the second she walks through the door, whine (really) about her job and the people she works with, talk to people like they are stupid, very very critical, condescending, horrible to the new people, and so forth, and then for certain people to always dismiss it as "oh she's got bipolar disorder". As if that diagnosis makes it ok for her to do that constantly.

Meanwhile, i'm thinking if i did those same things in the same manner, i'd be collecting a written warning, if not a pink slip.

And i'm not the only one who's talked (complained) about this. She doesn't do this to pts., therefore it's not considered a "problem" (nevermind people are bargaining over who's going to work with her). We're supposed to be understanding (i.e. tolerate it). And it's not like i can always pick and choose who i want to be in a room with, so asking for another assignment isn't always possible.

While i understand (really understand) she's got a legitimate disorder, i don't think that's an excuse to be rude, or that people have to be subjected to such a negative environment. And it almost seems like that by saying "she's bipolar" that that's supposed to be another way of saying "deal with it, this is how it is."

Touchy subject, considering that whether or not she's bipolar (she tells people she is) is a personal matter, yet it's affecting the people she works with, and there's a fine line between work and personal.. Any thoughts?

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Marie there are some just plain MEAN people in this world. You're being bullied, and apparently your manager is too. I wish I had the knowledge to tell you how to handle this.

[Evangeline2000]

If she doesn't do this to patients, then she can control it --- the "I've got bipolar" is clearly an excuse.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

If she doesn't do this to patients, then she can control it --- the "I've got bipolar" is clearly an excuse.

That's kinda what i was thinking too.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

This person is using her bipolar disorder as an excuse for her behavior. The fact that she doesn't act this way around patients shows that she can control this behavior.

[PoohGirl]

Yup, I had an issue with a nurse who was bullying me at work. At first I was new, so took in stride and voiced my concerns to my NM. This nurse who bullied me has a very difficult personality and is nasty to others too.

After a certain point, enough was enough. I told my NM I wanted s/t done to resolve this. I printed a letter to the nursing dept supervisor. Union reps were called... The nurse now acts like a doll to me.

Imp't point was brought up during one of these meetings - There is a code of ethics for nurses, not just in dealing with pts, but also in dealing with each other. Its not ok that she's nice to pts and not nice to you!

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Marie there are some just plain MEAN people in this world. You're being bullied, and apparently your manager is too. I wish I had the knowledge to tell you how to handle this.

I wouldn't say i'm being bullied, i don't feel bullied, because it's not like i'm tolerating this and saying it's ok, however i won't stoop to her maturity. If she says something like "You're doing it all wrong GOD!!" knowing there is more than one way to get something done correctly, then i reply "then please, DO demonstrate the right way" and then find out that her way is the right way, of course. If she starts spouting off, and if i can, i simply leave the room, and if she demands to know "just where" i went off to, i say "well the volume in here was a little more than needed and i went to a more positive environment". If i can't leave the room, and coincidently she's whining at the same time a surgeon asks for something, i say in an elevated tone "I'm sorry Dr. ________ i couldn't HEAR what you said, sir". And typically they say "wonder why" so it's not something only the nurses have noticed.

And the NM is on vacation for 2 weeks, the ANM is in charge. And her backbone is apparently on backorder.

[CoolhandHutch, MSN, RN]

Marie, remember you have a RIGHT to a respectful workplace. That includes people with and without mental illnesses. Also, there is a chain of command in place- if your NM is unable/unwilling to help you, start climbing the ladder until you find someone that will. Also, jot down instances where she's not in control (document); the more actual support you have, the greater credibility you possess.

[weyschad]

Oh my God that could be my coworker. Horrible to work with if she does not like you. Same stated disorder too. Allways nice though when she want to sell for her kids fundraisers. I just walk away, or let her know the truth. (mean, is not for christians, slows her down for awhile)

[chadash]

Is bipolar disorder connected with bullying? I thought bipolar was a mood disorder, which is tough if you have moods that have a mind of their own. That must be so hard. But to bully and complain incessantly, that is a choice.

[burn out]

This sounds just like one of my co workers (thank god she just left our unit last week for another position) The thing that really frosted my cookies was that the DON went and named this trouble nurse (that even takes it out on her patients when no one is looking) as the NURSE OF THE YEAR. That let me know how well our DON really knew her nurses and told her if that is how they expected me to act them I should probably leave.

[Gabie Baby]

Marie,there's your answer. Get the docs to c/o to Management about her. If she's not married to one of them or sleeping with somebody high up, she'll get the boot. Then she can go get treatment for her condition with all the time she'll have on her hands. Not to be cruel, just being realistic.