Too much time on her hands? I think so.

Nurses Relations

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I just started a new position at another hospital. My preceptor introduced me to another nurse whom asked me what hospital I came from and I told her. She asked me if I knew a nurse and gave me her name but I wasn't sure who she was because 1) I am not good with names and 2) I DO NOT get very chummy with co-workers (I've learned the hard way about this). I told her that I might know her and asked her how she looked and she described her. I told her that the description sounded familiar.

Now yesterday, this same nurse told me she talked to that nurse whom told her that I did work there. Really!?! So not only is she a nurse but she is also a private investigator. lol.

What do you think about this? Has this ever happened to you?

Specializes in Gerontology.

You have got to be kidding.

I think new grads should bring a list of what they do/do not want their co-workers to do. I get dizzy reading all these different complaints (They don't talk to me/They talk too much/They don't help me/They help too much, etc. She was probably trying to be nice. If you don't want to talk to your co-workers, just tell them you want to limit your conversation to things about work only. Of course, don't expect much help from them if you get into difficulty at work. They'll probably leave you to your own devices; I know I sure would.

You took the words right out of my mouth!

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Specializes in ICU, OR.

I have to agree with everyone. It's not a big deal and this happens all the time. She doesn't have too much time on her hands. People do this a lot. She most likely wasn't "verifying that you work there". No one thought you were lying about that. I hope you get used to the wide variety of people you meet on the job, because there are going to be so many different personality types to get used to. Best of luck.

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I'm sorry jrs, but you seem to be very socially lacking.

Also, you were given the name and physical description of a former co-worker and you really couldn't remember her? That's unsettling. How do you distinguish your patients?

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OP - Kinda weird. But people are weird. :)

Hang in there.

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OP- I agree with elprup--and find the comment "she said you worked there" a tad odd as well. "Welll, I am glad she remembered me, I was so busy learning the ropes, I didn't have a lot of time to get to know people" would have put that conversation at a better place.

People can be weird. It is difficult when you are not too into making BFF's with the co-workers. But that doesn't mean that you all can't be professional and a team. So make some sweeping general comment, and move on with your day.

And yes, hang in there--once people realize you can be professional and appropriate without getting too personally involved, then it will get better.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I feel sorry for the OP if she doesn't make connections with her coworkers. Mine are some of my best friends and we socialize regularly outside of work.Heck I've been on vacation with people from work.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
I just started a new position at another hospital. My preceptor introduced me to another nurse whom asked me what hospital I came from and I told her. She asked me if I knew a nurse and gave me her name but I wasn't sure who she was because 1) I am not good with names and 2) I DO NOT get very chummy with co-workers (I've learned the hard way about this). I told her that I might know her and asked her how she looked and she described her. I told her that the description sounded familiar.

Now yesterday, this same nurse told me she talked to that nurse whom told her that I did work there. Really!?! So not only is she a nurse but she is also a private investigator. lol.

What do you think about this? Has this ever happened to you?

What do we think about what? I really don't understand what you're asking...

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OP that is not weird. Also like an above poster said making an effort to remember names/faces will help your career and peoples' perceptions of you. I make it a point to smile and greet everyone at work and I do this with delivery people, lab staff and the like. A smile and a "hello!" goes a long way.

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OP- I agree with elprup--and find the comment "she said you worked there" a tad odd as well. "Welll, I am glad she remembered me, I was so busy learning the ropes, I didn't have a lot of time to get to know people" would have put that conversation at a better place.

People can be weird. It is difficult when you are not too into making BFF's with the co-workers. But that doesn't mean that you all can't be professional and a team. So make some sweeping general comment, and move on with your day.

And yes, hang in there--once people realize you can be professional and appropriate without getting too personally involved, then it will get better.

Thank you for your positive input.

This industry is extremely competitive and can be quite vicious. I have learned to keep my co-workers as simply that- co-worker! I have seen situations in which other nurses tried to find out as much info as they could about other nurses and used it against her. Crazy but true. I have also had my own experiences when I was too friendly and it bit me in the butt. Most of the posters stated I was being paranoid but I feel as though I am being cautious. We don't go to work to make friends but I do not have a problem with being cordial and helping out.

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I'm sorry jrs, but you seem to be very socially lacking.

Also, you were given the name and physical description of a former co-worker and you really couldn't remember her? That's unsettling. How do you distinguish your patients?

I go to work to take care of my patients, not make friends. However I am cordial and helpful to my colleagues. I don't consider being professional as being socially lacking.

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OP you say you don't want to be friends...that's okay. But it's not okay to not know the names of your coworkers whom you collaborate with on a daily basis. Your new coworker told you the lady's name and description and you had no idea who she was? Sounds like you don't pay attention to your surroundings. I get if this was someone who you only saw once a month or you worked nights and they worked 8-5 so you never saw them, however.

I don't give two sh!ts if my coworkers don't care about my life or my day, but at least give me the courtesy of knowing my name.

You'll catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
OP that is not weird. Also like an above poster said making an effort to remember names/faces will help your career and peoples' perceptions of you. I make it a point to smile and greet everyone at work and I do this with delivery people, lab staff and the like. A smile and a "hello!" goes a long way.

Asolutely. We are all part of the same team.

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