Published Nov 10, 2010
JB2007, ASN, RN
554 Posts
I recently took a part time job at a local hospital and cut down to part time at the LTC facility that I have been working at for the past 3 years. I have been very happy with both jobs until a couple of days ago. The change has done me wonders. Then a couple of days ago I had to work at the LTC facility and it was completly nuts.
They have been firing all of upper management. They have been doing things to get all of middle management in an uproar. Basically upsetting floor nurses that have been there for years and years to the point where they are being more hateful than usual and turning on everyone. One particularly nasty piece of work decided to turn her meanness on me today. She started to make comments about my home life (small community enough said) and I turned around and quietly asked what she just said and she walks quickly away. I was so mad that I think my head is about to explode and I take one step to go ask what she was saying about me and my family (she went into non patient care area) when another nurse puts her hand on my arm and tells me to leave it be because so and so is just being a b**** today. Needless to say I left it go (hello doormat), but I am still mad. You have a problem with me or my work you come to me and talk it out, but do not drag my family into that mess.
I just do not know what to do about all of this. The things going on at the LTC facility is making so that I do not want to go to work. I really do not want to work with this other nurse because I know that she is going to continue to say the hurtful things and I can not confront her because it will get ugly I just know it. I have to go into work the rest of this week and the thought just makes me sick. I just want to move out of this small town and quit the LTC facility. Why do people need to be so stupid and mean? I just wish that I could tell her off like I would like to, but then I would be acting like I was in high school too. Grrr...I wish I could quit this job!!!
leslie :-D
11,191 Posts
it'd likely benefit you to leave the ltc job anyways.
if upper mgmt has been fired, it sounds like the facility is in complete chaos anyways...
and the poop will continue to roll downhill.
point being, mgmt will be completely indifferent (or maybe hostile) towards your concerns.
it sounds like a toxic work environment all around, and strongly suggest to stay strong (and away from the drama) until you can find another job.
best of everything, jb.
leslie
Thanks and I am doing my best. I just wish she would leave my home life alone. I leave my home life at home and I wish this nurse would just leave it be. There are times I really hate living in a small town.
Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN
1,472 Posts
I was just thinking, it sounds like "small town" stuff to me. That's one of the reasons I enjoy the small town living, but work in the city. I agree with Leslie, the job sounds toxic. I'd be getting my resume ready if I were you. Good luck, hun!
I just wish she would leave my home life alone. I leave my home life at home and I wish this nurse would just leave it be.
and there is absolutely nothing wrong with you telling her that.
you can acknowledge to her, that you understand work has been rough lately...
but you will not tolerate her personal comments to you.
you needn't be emotional about it...rather, assertive and calm...
and that you mean business.
hopefully she'll get a grip.
if not, a dopeslap can work wonders.
Been there,done that, ASN, RN
7,241 Posts
leave asap, u are in a no win situation especially with the upper echelon turmoil, give 2 weeks notice,,, move ON!
martymoose, BSN, RN
1,946 Posts
i know you are mad, but maybe she is trying to get a rise out of you, and because you didnt go off on her- she didnt get the satisfaction. if she brings anything up to you again- maybe lay down a boundry " I am here to work, not discuss my home life, which is none of your business. Can i help you with something work related?. That ought to **** her off good.
like the others have said, id plan on leaving there asap anyhow. usually when they start shuffling /stirring up management, not so good things are on the horizon for the company ie. they probably going to go out of business soon. maybe this is a blessing in disguise.
rn/writer, RN
9 Articles; 4,168 Posts
Getting so upset and making a big dramatic statement that she should leave your family alone is like hanging up a sign that says, "Push this button."
You'll probably do better if you just give her the ol' fisheye stare and say, "Seriously?"
If she visibly gets your knickers in a twist, she may just keep on doing it.
Another thing you can do (if she's got any potential whatsoever) is to tilt your head and ask with great alarm, "Are you okay?" Any time she reverts to the personal stuff, express your concern for her health.
Or you can pretend you just didn't hear a word she said. If she comments, tell her you're programed to receive only work-related messages.
The common denominator here is that you don't reward inappropriate behavior with an emotional payoff. You connect on your terms. And you refuse to take anything she says personally, small town or not.
Keep telling yourself, "This isn't really about me. It's about how unhappy she is." Is it right for her to spew onto you. Of course not. But put on your rain slicker and when she's all done erupting, ask, "Do you feel better now?"
Hope you can adjust your work schedule so all is well soon.
April, RN, BSN, RN
1,008 Posts
Find a way to leave the LTC job. That nurse and her bad attitude will have to work short-staffed until they hire a replacement. Considering the mess in management that you described, that might take awhile.
carolmaccas66, BSN, RN
2,212 Posts
Hey JB
I lived in a small town, and worked twice at the local hospital there (with a gap of about 20 years after travelling), and it still had not changed from the first time I was there! Some of the younger nurses I'd worked with were managers now, and they were still heartless b******s. I couldn't believe that the hot water system they had that used to scald the patient's skin was STILL not fixed - after 20 years! The new grads that came on thought they knew it all - I won't go on, u know what I'm talking about. And EVERYONE lived for gossip - God, but it got old after a while listening to them! I quit & moved to a large city cos I can't stand the narrow-minded, small town mentality.
Can u talk to someone in private at the hospital and get a few more hours there? You don't need the stress of the LTC. And yes I worked with a really b****y nurse last night for a bit. She SEEMED nice, but then if she thought you'd done something wrong - watch out! I don't have anymore helpful suggestions, but I tell you now, if anyone degraded my family or dragged them into an argument, I would be confronting them on my break or when I could get them on my own. Doing that is NOT RIGHT, under any circumstances.
greenfiremajick
685 Posts
if not, a dopeslap can work wonders.leslie
Leslie- YOU are a nurse, so you should know better...If you slap ****, it splatters.....
Another thing you can do (if she's got any potential whatsoever) is to tilt your head and ask with great alarm, "Are you okay?" Any time she reverts to the personal stuff, express your concern for her health.Or you can pretend you just didn't hear a word she said. If she comments, tell her you're programed to receive only work-related messages.
The 1st one sounds not only effective, but hysterically funny! But what do you mean by "if she's got any potential whatsoever?"