She's a great nurse but she's driving me crazy

[not now, RN]

I'm venting because my co-worker is driving nuts and I have no nurse friends to gripe to. It's long, feel free to ignore.

I started a new job two and a half months ago, it's quite different from my LTC job mainly because I have an RN to work under (I'm an LVN), the patients are less stable and there are more nurses in general on the floor during my shift. All in all I like the facility, like the job, love the lighter patient load and LOVE the benefits.

One of the RN's (who's kinda high strung) that I'm frequently paired up with rides me like no other. As soon as I put my bag down the orders start shooting out of her mouth "Not now, check your patients, suction all of them, put the heads up on all the beds and check the feedings." I just smile and say "No problem" but week after week it's getting old. I know she's probably unsure of my skills since I'm not only new to the facility I'm a new nurse but my God she never lets up.

Last night was the kicker. She had a new admit who was quite demanding which made her more on edge than usual. One of my patients had a coughing fit when the CNA's turned him and she demanded I give him his PRN Librium for "his jerking." I looked in on him and he was up and quiet. I told her that he had a routine Klonopin that I was about to give him so I wanted to hold off on the PRN if possible. She did not take that well and gave me a warning that I needed to keep an eye on him. I did, put his headphones on with soothing music and had no problems.

She took her lunch break in the report room that is next to the nurses station, came back and clocked in. Later that night she said "I'm going to the report room to sleep" I responded with an "Um....ok." Ten minutes later a CNA wanted to know where she was and I pointed to the report room, the CNA went in to tell her a dressing had fallen off. I end up changing the dressing and she comes out of the room quite mad because "She woke me up right when I was about to fall asleep!" To top it off the RN at the other station takes me aside and lectures me on the importance of "Respecting people's break time." She was sleeping! I thought she sleeping in the report room so she'd be close if anyone needed her. I got so upset/frustrated that I walked to the bathroom and started crying (I'm a cryer when I've completely had it.)

So that was my night. I was called in to work an extra shift today but I passed eventhough I need the money. I need time to relax. I want to tell my boss but I don't really want to come out and say "So, the RN was sleeping...."

[TazziRN, RN]

{{{not now******

Is it possible for you to request another RN to be paired with? You can leave out the part about her sleeping, but the woman is running you ragged.

[nurseob7]

I'd recommend definitely talking to your manager. There is no excuse for a nurse to be unprofessional.

I always give my coworkers the benefit of the doubt. I figure everyone can have a bad night every so often. I am not afraid to address them about an issue myself. If I've given them plenty of chances to "shape up", I have no choice but to talk to my manager.

Good Luck ........

[ragingmomster, BSN, MSN, RN]

Maybe you could jump the gun next time?

Come in a few minutes earlier than she does and attack her.

"Hi, nice to be working with you. I plan on getting started by X, Y, and Z. I'll let you know if I need anything and please give me a call if you need my help."

Gives her the idea that you have a couple of clues about what you are doing. As for the sleeping issue, I have been known to put my head down during a break, but if I am needed, please wake me.

[not now, RN]

I'd recommend definitely talking to your manager. There is no excuse for a nurse to be unprofessional.

I always give my coworkers the benefit of the doubt. I figure everyone can have a bad night every so often. I am not afraid to address them about an issue myself. If I've given them plenty of chances to "shape up", I have no choice but to talk to my manager.

Good Luck ........

I spoke with her today on the phone. She basically told me that the RN is a former ICU nurse and "tends to run the floor like she's still in ICU" and that she "takes her job very seriously but she means no harm." That was it. Oh, and I shouldn't worry about my performance because if there really was a problem the RN's would let her know and she's had no complaints about me.

Great.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Basically you're told to deal with it, because that's just "who she is". Sounds like she has the support of the management, but then again you do to.

So, you have to figure out a way to get through the day with this nurse without becoming so frustrating you cry. Obviously the compliant "no problem" isn't working for you. Crying in the bathroom doesn't seem to be making you feel any better either.

There are certain aspects about our charge nurses and manager's personalities we have to accept. I've long accepted my manager isn't the best communicator and shows favoritism. I can either force her to change to my will, or accept her while not letting her belittle me, or treat me unfairly, choosing which battles to fight, and which to accept as her style.

Since management isn't going to be any help, which they usually never do, you're going to have to just professionally confront her with how she is making you feel. After she barks out the orders you might say "I'm becoming more comfortable in my role, I am going to do all of those things already, no need for you tell order me too, from now on how about just hitting the highlights of things I need to do that aren't routine, new order and things I wouldn't ordinarily do as the licensed professional that I am."

If she's sleeping, and you need to interrupt her, accept no tirade in return, especially if it is someone else who interrupts her and not you.

You're going to have to start standing up for yourself, speaking up for yourself, letting your feelings out intead of holding them in until you are in tears.

Good luck!

[ktwlpn, LPN]

You're going to have to start standing up for yourself, speaking up for yourself, letting your feelings out intead of holding them in until you are in tears- Good luck!

Excellent advice ....She sounds like a bit of a bully to me.Baloney on the whole "she runs the floor like it's an ICU" crap...She's controlling.I've worked "team" nursing in acute care with all kinds of nurses.If you love the job then you should be able to confront this person in a professional manner and you will be able to come to an understanding and work together but YOU have to take the initiative.Search allnurses for threads regarding "bullying" for some tips...Make sure you can cite specific instances to her where you felt that she was not letting you use your nursing skills (like the librium/klonopin incident-I would have given the klonopin first,too and documented on him-did she think he was seizing or something?If so-why didn't she take prompt action?) You can learn alot from each other -and use that when confronting her.Specifically tell her how she makes you feel....Reassure her that as a new nurse you are establishing your own identity/routines,etc and welcome her teaching but tell her it's not neccessary for her to tell you when to inhale/exhale....RN's are legally responsible when teaming with LPN's and utilizing CNA's -it takes them awhile to trust us and our skills and I can understand ....It sounds like you and her may be working together for along time and you may end up being good friends..... good luck

[RazorbackRN, BSN, RN]

Basically you're told to deal with it, because that's just "who she is". Sounds like she has the support of the management, but then again you do to.

So, you have to figure out a way to get through the day with this nurse without becoming so frustrating you cry. Obviously the compliant "no problem" isn't working for you. Crying in the bathroom doesn't seem to be making you feel any better either.

There are certain aspects about our charge nurses and manager's personalities we have to accept. I've long accepted my manager isn't the best communicator and shows favoritism. I can either force her to change to my will, or accept her while not letting her belittle me, or treat me unfairly, choosing which battles to fight, and which to accept as her style.

Since management isn't going to be any help, which they usually never do, you're going to have to just professionally confront her with how she is making you feel. After she barks out the orders you might say "I'm becoming more comfortable in my role, I am going to do all of those things already, no need for you tell order me too, from now on how about just hitting the highlights of things I need to do that aren't routine, new order and things I wouldn't ordinarily do as the licensed professional that I am."

If she's sleeping, and you need to interrupt her, accept no tirade in return, especially if it is someone else who interrupts her and not you.

You're going to have to start standing up for yourself, speaking up for yourself, letting your feelings out intead of holding them in until you are in tears.

Good luck!

How did you become so wise, Tweety? Each and every one of your posts that I read are kind, compassionate, therapuetic, and helpful...I bet you're a great nurse.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

How did you become so wise, Tweety? Each and every one of your posts that I read are kind, compassionate, therapuetic, and helpful...I bet you're a great nurse.

Gee, you don't know me well. hehehe. Thanks so much for the kind compliment. I'm just experienced is all. I've learned the hard way through life. I've learned that sometimes expressing yourself, rather than "it's o.k." isn't a bad thing, and usually works out o.k. if handled maturely.

I was raised in a house where we stuffed our feelings. Also as a young adult I did the same thing. All I have to show for it is borderline hypertension. :monkeydance:

[santhony44, MSN, RN, NP]

She took her lunch break in the report room that is next to the nurses station, came back and clocked in. Later that night she said "I'm going to the report room to sleep"

Maybe I'm wrong, but the way I read this is that she took her break off the clock and later decided to take a nap on the clock.

Every place I ever worked, that was a firing offense. Taking a break off the clock was one thing, but you absolutely did not sleep on the clock. I've known of nurses getting woken up and sent home for that. Maybe the manager would look on that a bit differently than on how she treats her co-workers.

I worked with a nurse once who was called, behind her back, "Didja." As in, didja do this, didja do that. Of course, some of them needed a sheepdog to keep them on track. When she learned to trust someone, she stopped with the didjas. I liked working with her because she would actually help with patient care and not just give meds. She would, for example, go fill a water pitcher herself instead of spending 15 minutes looking for the patient care person to do it for her (as some of our other nurses did).

I'm not sure what the best solution for your problem would be; maybe just sitting down with her and telling her she's driving you crazy. I tend to tell people that nagging or rushing me makes me move slower, but you might not want to say that!

[santhony44, MSN, RN, NP]

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[LoriAlabamaRN]

If I were in your situation, the next time she acted like I don't know what I'm doing, I would stop her and say "Listen, I honestly do have a nursing license, this state trusts my nursing judgement, so why can't you?" with a smile. Only get nasty if you absolutely have to. This RN will likely start reporting you to management if you do.