Tired of nurses threatening to quit!!!

[bradyc]

I don't know how it is where everyone else works, but where I work we have an RN who is ALWAYS-- almost on a DAILY basis, whining to EVERYone about going to find another job!! The reason being, she wants full-time status (God forbid we have to work w/her full-time!!) She has made it VERY clear that the first nurse that quits/gets fired- will become HER position!! Does management know? YES! & they keep giving her busywork to do & allowing her to bleed the time clock!! I am not an RN, but I have to work with her a lot & I for one am TIRED of hearing her WHINE!! How do I deal w/a person like this w/out running to the boss, who has enough on her mind?! We are all wishing she WOULD quit!!

[PhotoNurseMan]

Try and help her find a position somewhere else for one thing. Or go to your manager or supervisor as a group to let them know how serious this issue is to all the staff.

I have worked with many people over the years that are so negative that you dread working with them well in advance. It is very difficult to do but you must do all that you can to maintain a positive attitude.

You can also try forming a "morale committee" with your fellow co-workers. We have done this on my unit and it has helped quite a bit. The morale committee meets once a month and we do fund raiser stuff so we can buy small gifts for the staff (send flowers for funerals, birthdays and other special occasions). Once a year we all bring in valentines cards to exchange and it is a big hit. We also do Christmas in July, and Christmas in December gift exchange ($10 limit). Anything to show support of one another.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Sometimes co-workers can go on and on about their issues and problems and it can be annoying...sure I will always listen and try to help...BUT when it get to be just complaining and whining then I have had enough. I will wait for the individual to bring it up again and ask to talk with them for a moment when appropriate. I am always polite b/c you have to continue to work with this individual. In this situation I would point out their behavior ( ie repeated complaining about lack of full time job) and state that you do not want to hear it anymore!!!! I would also state that it brings down the moral of the unit when there is constant complaining. I personally can not stand complainers...we are all busy.....do your best....do not dump your problems on the patients and everyone else. The patients just want to get better...be out of pain..they do not need to hear all of this...and they hear more than we know...I would point that out to her as well.

[clemmm78, RN]

I've been known to turn around and say in a very upbeat way, "well, then, why don't you???" Usually the complainer has absolutely no answer and the whining stops for a while.

I don't have issues with people who are generally frustrated; I think we've all been there from time to time. But to continually go on and on about how you don't want to work there - OK, I get it. You don't want to be here. But you are. So shut up and get on with your work. Your constant whining about not wanting to work there is doing nothing to get the work done.

[LovebugLPN]

I would try to encourage this person because I think that is the right thing to do. I would encourage her right out the door. As a previous poster wrote you should be so wonderful as to bring in help wanted listings with RN positions neatly underlined and point them out to her. I think that would be the nice thing to do and Jesus will smile down on you for it.:)

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

Wonder if her personality, the complaining part of it, is what is actually holding her back from getting the FT position? IDK. Seems quite possible.

Only OP can answer this, but is there an issue with her that keeps her from getting the FT work, or is PT all that is available right now? Seems to me, if there are hours available and they are not giving them to her.............then she's got her answer and should most definitely be looking elsewhere. At the same time though, she should be introspective about it and ask "Why not me?".

[rn undisclosed name]

I personally ignore people who complain. I will just walk away from them mid-sentence. Seriously, I don't come to work to here you complain. In fact, do they realize how much more productive they would be if they didn't spend so much time complaining. The more you give into it the more they'll complain.

My tactic works pretty well. I don't hear anymore complaining. These people just really want to be heard.

[Orange Tree]

I just make a quick reference to something that's frustrating to me and suggest that, "we can cry together". That's my way of saying that I understand ....and that NO FURTHER EXPLANATION is needed. Then I hurry on along my way.

[jxRN]

i work right next to a nurse who complains day in and day out-- almost every second she's working, theres something to complain. it seriously gets REAL old REAL fast. maybe just get someone who is appreciative of their job to work there.. instead of bringing their morale down.

Yesterday, the same nurse was asked to translate a conversation between the doctor and patient, since shes the only one speaking that language on the same unit. She actually called management and demanded extra pay for the translation. And said i heard so and so got a extra bonus for being a translator, so why can't I? Nope will not do it! Let the hospital hire an interpreter for 15 minutes, who cares!

and this went on and on and on.. even when the Dr. came to ask, she said the same thing. I was shocked.. someone get her fired already.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I suspect the complaining nurse goes above and beyond the occasional grumble.

A chronic complainer is a real downer, nothing is going to make this person happy. Forget about solving problems when you can endlessly complain.

You cannot solve such a problem, you can only avoid getting sucked into her negative world.

So protect yourself. When Complainer, RN starts her tirade, get suddenly busy with patient care.

Learn to pull a good disappearing act when you need to.

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

Venting about real significant issues affecting nursing on the floor .... or chronic whining?

Big difference

It's easy to become frustrated with the chronic whiners ....as well as the nurses who refuse to see the problems. Being shut-down for voicing a genuine real concern can be very demoralising for nurses too.

IMHO more nurses need to vent about the real problems and they need to get going DOING something about them.

[lucylu 777]

People like her should quit! When I have to work with a person like that I keep busy at all costs to avoid contact to a minnimum, because today in this economy I thank God every day on the way to work for blessing me with with this job. There is other people out there who would be thankfull for the opportunity to work even a day.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

Has anybody gently pointed out to her that she's doing this? A sensitive person will understand and appreciate constructive criticism. Otherwise, I'd leave a resignation form in her mailbox. If she gets what she wants by complaining, her bad behavior is rewarded, reinforced, and will continue.