That one co-worker

[soyoureanurse]

So I've been an RN for a grand total of 6 months. I work in a hospital, and like everyone else, we're short staffed and most of the time I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water, if at all. And we all feel it.

But there's this ONE CO-WORKER that intimidates me to no end. She works days and I work nights so I often give her report. I noticed she was reporting me to the manager for problems that didn't really exist--for example, my first day out of orientation I had a patient on a heparin drip. The PTT was subtherapeutic 2 times in a row, which per our policy, requires that we notify the physician. I called the doctor and he said not to change the rate. I charted that in the notes and went on about my night. However, she reported me to the manager for not adjusting the rate. So then I am called in to the office to explain myself. And I'm not exaggerating, this happens every time I give her report.

I just have no idea how to go about this. I get so anxious going to work over her I'll cry all day long the day before I go. I bite my nails to stubs and even considered getting on meds to cope! I can't do this every day. I want to transfer to a different floor but am not sure how to approach my manager about it. Our manager is notorious for not allowing transfers to other floors because she can't retain staff as it is.

I guess any advice on how to handle my co-worker, my boss, or my first year as an RN would be helpful.

[KyRN😉]

Does she criticize you to your face before reporting you? I'd probably be direct buy professional, like, "I was called into the office to explain the heparin drip, did you not see my note?" I feel for you, though!

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I think being direct and asking about being called to the office instead of directly asking you is the best course of action; you coworker likes to report and instead of asking and if experienced, giving you a better way to handle situations-perhaps she would've advocated more to stop the drip for instance-she may need to hear from you on how YOU prefer to be addressed.

Advocate for yourself and set the tone; it you coworker on notice that you can directly address you; especially if it can better your practice, instead of "tattling", especially when it ended up not being a big deal.

Best wishes.

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

As parents will tell their little kids, don't give 'em what they want.

Don't be crying, getting all spazzed out and shaking in your boots when you see her coming. Act bored with her behavior, ignore it for the most part, pretend it didn't happen and carry on with your work. You've given her way too much power over your emotions. She is not the center of your world, you have more important things to do than fall prey to her petty games. When she doesn't get a rise out of you she'll move on to the next little fragile newbie.

Don't expect a transfer to bail you out. There will always be some pain in the butt co-worker that you just have to work with. Nurses are people too and we do stupid stuff.

Go get 'em Tiger!

[O9eleven]

Ignore that nurse. She's a rat. As long as you do your job well she's worthless to you. Don't stress about her.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

Ditto what other posters have said. AND kill her with kindness. Be direct with her, regardless of her actions. Always take the high road

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Sheesh..... dealing with a passive-aggressive coworker is just the worst, right?

DON'T ignore her nonsense. That will only encourage more of the same. Someone has to be the adult. Confront it. As PP advised, deal with it in an assertive, professional manner. Do it in a public place. If she "goes off" on you, follow up with a formal complaint about her unprofessional behavior. Rinse & Repeat.

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

Yes! What Houtx said!

The next time she has a problem with you, go up to her in front of everyone and say "so what exactly was your problem with me THIS TIME so that you felt like you couldn't just ask me to my face?" Then she will know that:

1. You aren't afraid of her

2. You will call her out

3. She had better find some fresh meat to pick on because you are done.