I'm a seasoned nurse (22 years) and took an assignment through an agency to work at a small hospital in Labor and Delivery. Have been working here off and on all summer long. Well, lately the night nurse that alternates my shifts was brought to days. She's a new nurse, and very possesive of her labor and delivery postion. I was scheduled to work 3 nights in a row. Following her shift, I ended up having to life-flight out a newborn that was 12 hours old, and hadn't been doing well since birth. The mom was an ICU RN and was quite verbal about complaining about the day RN. (I'll call her Amy* RN) Anyway, the following night I had another sick pt. in labor with pre-eclampsia, hypokalemia...on Mag, Pit, Potassium...antibiotics...you can imagine the scenario. Being in a small hospital, I was it....the only RN in L&D...which I'm used to. I kept in constant contact with the MD etc. Anyway, the next night I was scheduled to work, I had to call in because my oldest daughter had to be hospitalized with pneumonia. (my first time calling in) The nurses that were working that night said that Amy* RN quoted in report after following me with the labor pt. that I was a F*** B***. (she said it in report) There were 4 nurses present. She also complained that I should be fired for not having all my paper work in order. (the paperwork she's talking about is the sticker sheets for charges) I have talked to the OB nurse manager and she states that I have nothing to worry about, that Amy feels threatened and inadequate and does this with all the nurses that she follows, especially if they are agency. I am outraged. I've worked another shift and followed Amy again and she is being extremely nice. However, some of the employees are acting different towards me and some keep telling me how much Amy "has it in for me".....please...someone give me your advice on an RN that slandered me like this IN THE REPORT ROOM at shift change.
Why not ask "Amy" directly about it? You're obviously a mature person with a lot of nursing experience and this is probably not the first time you've run into this type of personality. Can you set aside your outrage for a moment and try to talk to her about it privately? (I would use the word "confront" her, but it seems too strong a word for what I'm trying to say. You have to be the one who shows that you will not tolerate this kind of gossip, but you must do it in such a way as to not seem abrasive or argumentative.)
I wouldn't expect the nurse manager to do anything about it until you speak directly with Amy and let her know what's bothering you. If you don't get anywhere with Amy, then I would think that the NM would have offered to mediate a meeting between the two of you to straighten things out. Maybe you can request this?
Just conduct your own behavior in a way that doesn't give her anything to talk about. What I mean by this specifically is don't talk negatively about your co-workers including Amy (not that I think you do, I don't even know you).
Sorry you're going through this. It's not nice being the subject of someone else's twisted ideas. Especially when you're not there to defend yourself.
It's about being a professional. Amy is not behaving in that way, here is your chance to show her how it's done!
This is so what I would do. Don't know if it would work for you, but I just thought I'd add my opinion.
Good Luck!
Well this is the correct answer for you, do not just ignore the behavior. Sometimes things have a way of coming back to bite you. Sometimes people can be dangerous at the workplace, so protect yourself and stop it now.
marymary
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