Transfer from hospital to office nursing

[Renee26765]

I just recently switched from working in the ICU to a pulmonology & critical care office. I've been there since July. I've never worked in an office before and this is a new position. The office opened this year and the staff consisted of a secretary, office manager, and MA. There's been a ton of tension ESP with the MA and myself. She is very difficult to work with because she wants to run the show if I try to have her call me for triages, ect she gets an attitude, rolls her eyes, ect.She is disrespectful to other offices. I hate conflict!!! She's very short with me about everything. Anyway I'm so confused because my manager called me into the office on Friday because I guess this MA said I was treating everyone badly like I wad better than everyone else... Really 1st of all how old are we??? We are supposed to talk about things tomorrow but I have never thought I put anyone inferior to me. I don't know what to take of this or any suggestion on how to handle this?

[Marshall1]

I worked briefly in an MD's office..am not sure I would again because of what you are describing. Though I was not the one in the middle of the pee-pee contest, an LPN, the officer manager and the coordinator were. It was the pits because it became very high schoolish. The one thing the office manager did - which I thought was a great idea - was held a meeting with everyone (excluding docs) and w/o using any names - this is a very small office - went down the list of concerns/complaints, explained why things were how they were then afterwards gave everyone an equal chance to say something, vent etc. It kinda worked but the LPN and the coordinator could just not let stupid things go. I left a few months later - for a variety of reasons but this was once of them. No one expects work or home life to be perfect but it's difficult more so when someone acts as the person you described. My advice would be to ask for a meeting with everyone present so there is no behind the back talk - you don't have to like everyone you work with but respect should be upheld. And, since this MA is talking about you she should be talking to you about her concerns - not just the office staff. If she's talking to one, she is talking to others..pot stirrer.

[Guest717236]

Stand your ground. Office work can be a challenge and there is no

need for personality parades, nor is their time. Make sure you know your

job description, you can bet if the MA lets something slide that should

have your attention, you are the licensed person and she will point to you.

As jobs are in short supply these days, try to make it work first.

It also depends on the MDs, most want a smooth running office and

are open to the RN addressing issues directly with them.

My take is she is threatened by having an RN on board and is

trying to sabotage your position. I have been in that situation

and addressed my concerns to the MD and the MA's attitude toned down.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

My suggestion is to make certain (perhaps in a meeting with all present) that your job description and that of the MA are well defined. If you can't get her to send Triage calls to you, is that in violation of her job description?