Since I can't see myself as how others see me...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

...how do I improve my communication and interaction skills with my fellow co workers?

I was told that there have been complaints against me from fellow LPNs (this isn't about LPN vs RN, I promise) that when they find me not approachable and that when they ask me for help, I am condescending, and give off the impression that I think they're stupid.

This shock me because I do not see LPNs in that light. Also, as not one of the LPNs had personally came up to me to tell me that they have a problem with me and my communication skills (or lack therefore), this came out of the blue. I was told that it's because they find me not approachable so they don't approach me and...I can't know there's a problem if nobody talks to me about it!

So how do I work to fix it? Because I don't want to continually give off the wrong impression.

Thanks

My advice: find someone who most everyone likes or feels calm around (a nurse, janitor, boss, anyone). and DO WHAT THEY DO.

pretend you're an actor, acting THEIR part. I did that when I was new & didn't know how 2 be a nurse & this worked for me.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

A few thoughts. Are you quick to talk and offer explanations for why you did something a certain way, or do you listen and really understand what someone is saying. Do you acknowledge mistakes when you make them? Do you smile, or give the impression that you care about others? Do you legitimately care about your coworkers and what they are doing, or is it all about you? If several people have this impression, then it is possible that you are doing something to give that vibe off.

Is it possible to ask someone outside of work if they have the same opinion of you? Someone objective, not your best friend, who probably won't give an accurate answer.

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Specializes in Psych.

Perhaps the next time this LPN asks you for help, you could just help them and spend a bit of time bonding with them as a person. We all feel good and like it when others appear to be interested in our favourite topic (ourselves).

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i dont get why you care (or anyone for that matter)... as funny and as positive as i am (im the facility BFF lol) i could careless if anyone likes me or whatever. i could give 2 **** to be honest. Q_Q

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
i dont get why you care (or anyone for that matter)... as funny and as positive as i am (im the facility BFF lol) i could careless if anyone likes me or whatever. i could give 2 **** to be honest. Q_Q

Because the OP recognizes that teamwork is important and that it's necessary for her coworkers to be able to approach her, ask for assistance, etc, in order to have a well-functioning unit. Basically, because the OP is a mature adult and needs to function in the adult workplace.

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Because the OP recognizes that teamwork is important and that it's necessary for her coworkers to be able to approach her, ask for assistance, etc, in order to have a well-functioning unit. Basically, because the OP is a mature adult and needs to function in the adult workplace.

are you implying that for those who dont care about perception= not an adult?

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
are you implying that for those who dont care about perception= not an adult?

I would say it demonstrates a lack of maturity.

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I would say it demonstrates a lack of maturity.

i dont have the foggiest clue what maturity has to do w/ perception.

is this gonna be one of those melodramatic threads where we get to the third page and we all start arguing? then around the 6th page the moderator comes and closes it because of TOS?

chile plz, aint nobody got time for that.

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I don't get it either. I'd really have appreciated it if someone had talked to me about how I am seen vs how I think I am seen. I can't know what im doing wrong if nobody tells me. I'd rather be told what I did wrong instead of finding it out from another person.

hi there!..i think we experience it everywhere..no matter how good you are or not to people..even though your a quite person or very outspoken person..people still judge you and say things about you..experiencing it right now..i'm a babysitter at the same time striving to pass my exam for nclexRN or nclexLPN..experiecing same situation with yours..know what girl?..as long as your conscience is clear let them..just shake it off and give your best smile to everyone!!!😉..😊😊😊

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OP, first you need to figure out if this is a real issue! I'm a new grad nurse, so I have seen this both ways and very recently.

I have seen seasoned nurses treat new nurses in the way you described, but I have also seen students and new nurses who made a mistake blame it on the inaccessibility of a nurse to answer questions when in fact it was just a way to blame someone else for their error.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
i dont have the foggiest clue what maturity has to do w/ perception.

is this gonna be one of those melodramatic threads where we get to the third page and we all start arguing? then around the 6th page the moderator comes and closes it because of TOS?

chile plz, aint nobody got time for that.

The attitude of "**** everyone, I don't give a **** what people think about me, I just gotta be realz, man" demonstrates a lack of maturity.

The fact is, to get along with others in an adult workplace, a modicum of courtesy towards others and ability to get along with coworkers is important. If all of your coworkers get the impression that you're a *****, then it would behoove you to maybe do what you can to alter their perception of you ("you" general, not "you" specifically - I have no idea what your coworkers think about you).

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The attitude of "**** everyone, I don't give a **** what people think about me, I just gotta be realz, man" demonstrates a lack of maturity.

The fact is, to get along with others in an adult workplace, a modicum of courtesy towards others and ability to get along with coworkers is important. If all of your coworkers get the impression that you're a *****, then it would behoove you to maybe do what you can to alter their perception of you ("you" general, not "you" specifically - I have no idea what your coworkers think about you).

excuse me mother theresa, demonstrates lack of maturity by whose definition?

i guess you speak for everyone :yes:

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