Trouble Makers

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2006

Unfotunately i think every unit has one. Not much you can do with them except dont be a part of their story telling. Dont stand and listen, dont repeat what might be heard.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2006

If you here things about yourself confront her, don't just bit your lip.

If you hear things about others, say something, don't just bit your lip. "It's not appropriate for you to gossip, and I'd appreciate it you not do it around me."

As you've noted, management certainly isn't going to do a thing. That's barking up the wrong tree.

A certain amount of talking and gossiping is going to go on, that's human nature.

SueBee RN-BSN · Oct 24, 2006

Boldly change the subject when this person starts her thing. When you hear her talking about someone behind their back, tell her to take it to the person she is running down. If she runs you down address her infront of others, and let her know how you feel about her statments about you.

Peolpe who practice this are very insecure, and are only trying to put themselves in a better light, but it never works. She will not have any friends, and will never face her true problems. Once everyone bring her problems into light, well she will change. Once she starts to change, make her feel good about her new behavior. Love the sinner, not the sin.

buildingmyfaith57 · Oct 24, 2006

try to do your best to let it go into one ear and out the other. if the managers know whats going on and doesn't do anything about it. soon or later the managers will get tired of it to, unless he or she is the managers close friend,relative who knows. but like i said try to let it go into one ear and out the other.

SueBee RN-BSN · Oct 25, 2006

try to do your best to let it go into one ear and out the other. if the managers know whats going on and doesn't do anything about it. soon or later the managers will get tired of it to, unless he or she is the managers close friend,relative who knows. but like i said try to let it go into one ear and out the other.

All to often nurses let things go in one ear and out the other, or so they say they do. This includes abuse of all types, and kinds. Nothing, and I mean nothing just goes in one ear and out the other, there is a brain in between thoes ears, I hope, and people get hurt. Nursing has a long history poor working conditions, and this is only one aspect of poor working conditions. Doing nothing is a chicken poop way of dealing with life, and makes the do nothing person a door mat for anyone to walk all over.

OneChattyNurse · Oct 25, 2006

sometimes these things can go too far. i was working at a facility with a group of staff that were notorious for gossiping and causing problem for those that were outside their clan.

i once went to a convention and while i was gone someone decided to call my husband and tell him that the reason i went was to cover up the fact that i was having an affair. (i absolutely was not) he then started getting emails graphically detailing my supposed infidelity.

there was one employee that had my husbands email address (because i gave it to her so she could forward on a joke to him) but she was the only one. this actually went on for a few weeks and worsened in intensity.

the joke was on them as my husband and i have a very strong relationship and this incident only made it stronger. my point is though, this type of behavior can escalate into much bigger problems than "just gossiping" if left unnoticed.

i ended up getting a great job offer and left this job abruptly as i just could not take any more. i really don't think that was the best solution for the actual problems, but it kept me sane. i am quite sure after i left they targeted someone else and the problem continued.

good luck with your co-workers and just remember things can get out of hand if allowed to.

buildingmyfaith57 · Oct 25, 2006

All to often nurses let things go in one ear and out the other, or so they say they do. This includes abuse of all types, and kinds. Nothing, and I mean nothing just goes in one ear and out the other, there is a brain in between thoes ears, I hope, and people get hurt. Nursing has a long history poor working conditions, and this is only one aspect of poor working conditions. Doing nothing is a chicken poop way of dealing with life, and makes the do nothing person a door mat for anyone to walk all over.

hey sue be i agree with you. that like when you think of bullies you think of bullies only in the school. well guess what its in the work place also. so what are you going to do?

buildingmyfaith57 · Oct 25, 2006

when posting something like what where are the managers on here why aren't they responding?

firstyearstudent · Oct 25, 2006

I often use humor with these types. I will highjack the conversation by making a bizarre comment that vaguely and critically addresses what they said but isn't confrontational. It throws them off-balance and defuses the intensity of their remarks.

"Did you hear so and so made a med error?"

"Really? Personally, I don't consider it an error unless the patient dies. Heh heh."

Another strategy with negative people and gossip mongers is to quickly look for an opening in the conversation and then don't stop talking. Even gossips can't stand a bore.

"Did you hear so and so made a med error?"

"Really? That reminds me of an E.R. rerun I saw last night. That nurse, what's her name, the one with black curly hair, she was taking care of a patient and she gave him the wrong blood! Then just this morning I heard on the radio that Rite Aid is offering new color coded lids for their prescriptions so that family members won't mix up their meds. What do you think of that? I would probably pick blue, It's my favorite color. Well, it's my favorite color now. I used to like green...."

jojotoo, RN · Oct 25, 2006

I often use humor with these types. I will highjack the conversation by making a bizarre comment that vaguely and critically addresses what they said but isn't confrontational. It throws them off-balance and defuses the intensity of their remarks.
"Did you hear so and so made a med error?"
"Really? Personally, I don't consider it an error unless the patient dies. Heh heh."
Another strategy with negative people and gossip mongers is to quickly look for an opening in the conversation and then don't stop talking. Even gossips can't stand a bore.
"Did you hear so and so made a med error?"
"Really? That reminds me of an E.R. rerun I saw last night. That nurse, what's her name, the one with black curly hair, she was taking care of a patient and she gave him the wrong blood! Then just this morning I heard on the radio that Rite Aid is offering new color coded lids for their prescriptions so that family members won't mix up their meds. What do you think of that? I would probably pick blue, It's my favorite color. Well, it's my favorite color now. I used to like green...."

You're a riot!! I'm going to try your techniques. :lol2:

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 25, 2006

I figure it this way, if people are gossiping, then something (or the whole thing) about their own life must suck, and gossiping about others is their only way to feel better. That would be a sad (pathetic) way to live.