The Nerve!!!

RN-PA, RN · Mar 18, 2002

All right! I am just trying to lighten this up :-) We all know how some folks are on expodential trips. And we know how we can make them a whole number again by putting them in their square root :-)

Off-topic, I've seen you use the word, "expodential" in other posts, Mario. I can't find it in my dictionary-- is it some math term I don't know?

On-topic, to answer your "what does back biting mean" question, my trusty dictionary defines back-biting as:

"To slander the character or reputation of (an absent person). To speak spitefully or slanderously of a person behind his back."

Hope this helps! :)

KC CHICK · Mar 18, 2002

Heather, I just graduated last May and started in the dept. as a new grad in June. OMG...almost a year!!

I understand that the world is not perfect, but I need to let this guy know that the passive aggressive behavior will not fly with me. I may be new, but I'm also innately stubborn and opinionated.....just ask my mom.

He will know soon enough that I won't put up with this kind of treatment.

Anne:D

BrandyBSN · Mar 18, 2002

I think he might mean Exponential. Not sure though, but it would fit with the square root analogy.

KC - I really like the idea of the sign on the cart stating that it is a trap. It would definately give him some idea that his remark offended you. Is this your NEW job, or is this just some new jerk bothering you? Dont let him get to you, just post the sign letting him know that you didnt appreciate it. It might solve other problems later on.

Good Luck!

BrandyBSN

mario_ragucci · Mar 18, 2002

RN-PA - I am embarrassed. It's exponential. I am sorry and shame :-(

Exponential relates to exponents. Like, exponential growth (of bacteria), means, growing at a large and fast rate, but calculated. I mean to make the comparison to peoples comments, such that, if a person can make a comment that attempts to make themselves appear larger, a function exists (called root) that can turn the "comment" smaller the same way exponential makes that "comment" larger. In any case, the original number is still the same, its just how it is factored. Any large, or complex, number can be factored down to it's root. Any persons "comment" can be factored down to their intent.

Back biting is a small and messy number, because it don't take much integrity or thought energy to express. So, you can reveal that small number, turn it into a root (factor it), and expose how small it is to them. Doing your honest best is a real number, and might even be prime. You can't factor a prime number very clean. Back biting can not be expressed as a whole number "comment", its always some mess of a number "comment", from a mess of a person "base."

I don't want to get too crazy on this. When you are starring down an algebra final, you come up with this stuff :-)

And thanks for the definition of back biting.

Q. · Mar 18, 2002

I concur- I think Mario means exponential.

shay · Mar 18, 2002

KC-

I find that there is ALWAYS someone like that on every unit....some holier-than-thou butthead who thinks she/he never ever leaves anything undone and crosses all of their t's and dots all of their i's perfectly. Funny thing is, that person is usually THE WORST nurse on the unit, and all of the patients COMPLAIN about him or her!!

In my 5 years of nursing, I have finally found that the best response to this type of nurse is to say something like, 'mmmm....fascinating' and walk away or to return the favor and make a huge stink when they leave some minor detail undone. Both responses are equally good at shutting them up.

For this dude, I'd probably have some response like, "I'm glad you have so much free time on your shift to devote to setting traps for other shifts....must be nice." JERK.

SharonH, RN · Mar 18, 2002

The "This is a trap" sign is a good idea. That guy is such a jerk. All he needs to do is worry about what his sorry azz is doing on his shift and not worry if any other shift is working up to his expectations. I would have laughed in his face........and then I would have told him to move it his damn self.

thisnurse · Mar 18, 2002

i agree, mario, i like you too but you really dont understand this whole nursing thing unless you are in it. save these posts...you will see just what we are talking about in no time at all.

as for this night RN

who the hell is he and why should you have to explain anything to him?

is he a manager?

if moving a linen cart is an indication of your shift accomplishments thats pretty sad.

go with the sign...its a great idea.

or keep moving it to different places..

KC CHICK · Mar 18, 2002

No, he's not a manager.....just the night (7P-7A) RN. I never had to work with this guy before my shift changed..... I'm working one weekend a month. On my weekend, I'm the dayshift (7A-7P) RN.

He's probly testing my limits because I'm new.

Anne.:chuckle

Momma_Penguin · Mar 18, 2002

Hey KC Chick... I like the sign on the cart idea but you can bet a buck that you will catch hell for it when daylight sees it. I am soo tired of the shift to shift games we tend to play, and I have seen in everywhere I have worked. I think all shifts work hard most of the time. But for some reason, other nurses think that weekends and nite shift sit around and play cards all nite. DAHH If they think that a particular shift is so easy, let them work it a couple of times. I bet the mind set would change. Does this happen in places that have rotating shifts??? I wonder??? I am in a constant ' battle' with the surrounding shifts, picking up on their work, trying to get things done that should have been done sooner. I know where you are coming from!!!! For this occasion I say....Don't Let The Bastard Wear You Down....pardon my french!!! Laura LPN

CATHYW · Mar 18, 2002

shay, you are so right.

mario, please listen to what the other nurses are telling you. the active nursing world is unlike any other society you might have ever been a part of. you truly have to "walk a few miles in our shoes" before you can speak as a nurse, much less counsel one on nursing-related issues. all i can say is, your time will come. it doesn't matter how strong, educated, opinionated, or how straight your back-your time will come. :rolleyes:

anne, my heart goes out to you. one word of caution about the sign, as appealing as it sounds-he may crack on you for wasting time to make a sign when you could've been stocking or moving the linen cart. this jerkanurse probably works nights because of the extra pay and the light caseload. now don't jump me, night nurses! i am talking about or, not floors or er. having been in er for many years, i know the on-call night or nurses can get slammed really hard on weekends and holidays.

however: stand your ground, and do not let this creep intimidate you. a true nurse would recognize that his peer(s) had been slammed, just by the way the place looked, smelled, and was stocked. this hypothetical real nurse would have asked what he could help you do to get out of there, and go home, knowing that some morning his butt might be in the same sling-having had a night from hell, and no time to do anything but take care of patients! and you, anne, would have politely thanked this person, and offered to finish up a couple of things before you left. that is the way it should, but rarely does work. :eek: if you new nurses pay attention in this thread, you will learn what it takes to be kind and helpful, not only to your patients, but to your colleagues. it is the one aspect of nursing that many nurses forget. :rolleyes:

good luck, and keep your attitude. you do not want to do unto others before they do unto you, but you surely don't have to take the attitude he is dishing out. i'd try to joke it out of him, if possible, and then, if that doesn't work, take him aside. tell him that you do not have to like each other to be co-workers, that you are there to help patients. as long as that goal is successfully met, you are both sucessful.:) then, on days that aren't as crazy as the 3 hip days, be sure he can't find a thing wrong with the department when he comes in. when you catch him looking, ask him what he is looking for. i had to do that with a night nurse one night. it worked!:roll

OBNURSEHEATHER · Mar 18, 2002

Anne-

I hope you don't think I was implying that you were naive. I was just sharing with you my own disenchantment with hospital/nursing politics, and wondering if it's a new/fairly new grad sort of thing. Mine came right around the 2 year mark

Of course, I could be misinterpreting your post. The downside to communicating only in written word is that tone isn't always understood.

Anyhoo, I would tell him where he could put his linen cart :eek:

Heather