untrusty co-workers

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hello...I was wondering if anyone could give me some idea of how to handle a co-worker(s) whom you feel you can not trust.

I have had incedences where other nurses have had problems with her and I have had one rather large indcident myself where I almost took the fall or her lack of proper nursing care. I work in a reletivley low risk L&D unit, which in itself is intimidating, but i just feel like every word that comes out of this ladies mouth is gonna come back to bite me if i listen to it.

how do i handle this being reletivly new to the L&D world and not make an enemy out of her? :confused:

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Just remember CYA. First, last, and always, CYA.:heartbeat

Then, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Listen to her but don't take what she says as law. Smile, nod, and do what you know is right. You'll get through this!

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I would keep a small notebook with you and document immediately anything that occurs between this person and anyone else. Date, time, who was involved, who said what, etc. A notebook can show a pattern of problems that may not be obvious to those in charge otherwise.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
I would keep a small notebook with you and document immediately anything that occurs between this person and anyone else. Date, time, who was involved, who said what, etc. A notebook can show a pattern of problems that may not be obvious to those in charge otherwise.

A great example of CYA ;)

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I have definatly become familar with CYA in the short time i have had my lisence (although the incident happened while I was workin as a GN. It just seems like admin doent listen or just blows it off and it is becoming increasingly harder to work with her.

I fear gettin on her bad side because i have seen her accuse a very good nurse of fibbing in her charting and accused her of falsification and tried to find falsifications in her charting just so she can report her. we have already had nurses leave specifically becasue of her. I worry for my license and my patients.

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As the others have said, document, document, document! I do need to say this, though: I think you know that eventually it will come to "blows" (not necessarily physically, but you get my drift---you will be forced to face her and this issue), so quit worrying about being her friend. I would personally get aggressive w/her, and make sure everything I did, was absolutely PERFECT, while (guess what I'm about to say) DOCUMENTING everything...If you face this headon and ensure it doesn't get blown off, maybe they will address what's happening with her...Just be sure to not make "too many" waves, so that you aren't seen as a "trobulemaker!!"

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can you write management an anonymous note??? typed of course.

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I wouldnt even bother giving her any thought, much less complain to management about her, or waste time writing things down. Management doesnt care about such things. They just want nurses to shut up and do their job.

Stay away from her, do your job, and dont say anything around her. Thats my advice!

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This person is probably a mole on the unit. She starts rumors, snitches on other workers, and generally has her nose in everything. It will not change, so decide to treat her in a professional manner, document all happenings with her, keep a copy of assignment sheets for her duties, and keep a closed mouth when around her.

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Specializes in med surg.

I think this is sort of like One bad apple... this is part of the issue with nursing we need to take ownership of our units and make change. Let people know what is acceptable and what is not and then live by that with manager support of course. When other nurses start to leave because of this person people will start to pay attention.

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