Rude MAs

allnurses Guide · May 20, 2012

No, you do not "deserve" respect simply because you are a nurse. Building that takes time and yeah, you are the new kid on the block and the MA feels threatened. Sounds like you are going to have to use some psychology here and build a good relationship with this individual. That will mean dropping the chip on your shoulder about being a nurse and therefore above her and "deserving" her respect. Nobody gets respect because of a title or, even less, by demanding it. They earn it.

Instead of focusing on how much "respect" you are or are not getting, focus on why this person is feeling the need to fluff her feathers around you and start seeing THAT as the problem that needs to be fixed. Then be smart about fixing it. The only way this work situation will improve will be for this individual to feel like she is valued for her time at the clinic and her knowledge there. The more you think she needs to defer to you, the less likely she is to do so. And who can blame her? You are the new person, regardless of your education. She's put in her time and knows the office well - and is valued (thus nobody making her cow to you). Work less on trying to be an elevated staff member and more on just trying to fit in.

caliotter3 · May 20, 2012

Your managers, by doing nothing about the problem, have shown you how much support you can expect, should you decide to escalate this. I would tone down my emphasis on this problem and concentrate more on the job at hand. It sounds to me as if the MA has the upper hand in this and she is well aware of her position.