What to do?

[DedHedRN]

I went to a staff meeting today with many other nurses and one particular nurse who works as a team leader, but who does not supervise me came up to me and asked me a question. She says "How was your weekend?" I reply "Oh it was alright" and she says "Oh, you mean no write ups or family's complaining about you?" as if that was a regular occurrence for me. I was slightly upset over this comment. Several months ago, I did have several incidents in one weekend where several family's complained, it was a stressful weekend where my computer was not working and I could not access my charts and I basically worked 12+ hour shifts three days in a row. It was the first time in my career that anyone had every complained about me, and it has not happened since.

What concerns me though is that I never told this particular nurse about these incidents and was never "written up" I did receive counseling though my job, and I have since worked on the issues that the complaints were about. The patient satifaction ratings at my work have increased by 22% on my shift since I started. I feel like this was a lateral violence comment, and intended to make me feel bad.

I am considering talking to my supervisor about this, but am worried that it may make more waves. It really bothers me that she made this comment though. Should I report this to my supervisor, or just let it go?

[LisalaRN99, BSN, RN]

I think you should go to that person privately and tell her how this comment made you feel and ask them what they meant by this comment. This is not to be done in a confrontational style and in a non-threatening manner. Just stating the facts. If they get defensive and attempt to make it into you having a problem, again, calmly state that if they have any issues with your work, suggest that perhaps you should go together to the supervisor....etc., etc. I have a standard line that I use for idiotic comments: "I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that..." It has the ability to throw that person off, and in a position to then either explain themselves (which they generally can't, because the remark was meant to be snarky!), or they get the message that you don't play! Good luck! I hate bullies!!

[science in flowers]

Yes, tell your supervisor. It was a breach in confidentiality that she even found out about your complaints from families. I was completely unprofessional, rude, and out of line to say that. She should be reprimanded.