What's the meanest/nicest thing another nurse or coworker has done for you?

Nurses Relations

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Specializes in LTC.

I've noticed that this whole area has alot of focus on coworker bullying type issues. So, to lighten the mood a little, what has a coworker done thats been nice towards you?

What about the meanest thing that someone's done to you at work?

My story:

I was asked by a coworker to make out a list for her hall of all the years upcoming TB test due dates for her patients. I had made one for the hall I work and she liked it. So, one night I got to work her hall (she works days) and I went thru every single chart and made a TB list. I put it in a private place at the desk visible only to the nurse who would be sitting at that spot (like mine) so that when changeovers came all anybody had to do was glance at that list to see who was due that month for a test.

2 nurses that I don't mesh well with ripped the paper down, ripped it to shreds, balled up what was left and stuck it in my box at the desk. They put it where I'd find it like that. I was FURIOUS!!!! They bragged to other staff about it like they'd just accomplished something epic. I showed no emotion about it, nor did I say anything bad because that's what they wanted me to do. That was very hard for me to do because I wanted to give those 2 a verbal thrashing they'd not soon forget & call them out on every single thing wrong they'd done......but I didn't. I just documented the incident.

On the other hand, my favorite coworker is a good friend of mine who thinks alot like me. One time when I was coming down with what I thought was a cold or sinuses, she came to work with a homemade basket with some cold meds and noodle soup and a coke (my fave drink). She even put a box of kleenex in it. I thought that was so nice. And believe me I really needed all of it or else I don't know how I wouldve ever made it through that night. My head was about to explode from being so stuffy.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

Meanest: At the Nursing Home from Hell, one co-worker told me numerous times "If you need any help, just ask me." One day, I asked her to give a very demanding patient a neti-pot while I gave another, equally demanding patient a pain med. The nurse was taking a break at the nurse's station, and she blew up at me. "Why are you asking me! I'm eating my sandwich! I'm not doing that!"

Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

The meanest thing I've had done to me was when I worked in a small ltc as a lpn. It was my first day off of training and I was put on the most difficult hall (which I had never even set foot on until then) and let loose. I was drowning and the lpn who always worked the hall across from the one I was on knew I was drowning and wouldn't help me even when I begged her too. She just said I needed to deal with it while she took yet another ciggy break. At 10:30pm, I was sitting on the toilet, peeing, and crying at the same time (I may have even been eating my sandwich as well). I didn't leave until 2:30am and she left on time and never even came to see if I was alive. Although it was the worst night, I learned a very valuable lesson; I always reach out and touch base with my coworkers both newbies and seasoned.

The nicest thing staff has ever done for me was very recent. A cna came into the nurses' station at the end of the shift and asked me how much money she needed to bring for this Saturday. My lpn leaned over and quietly told her "I think that was supposed to be a surprise for her birthday". I always bring in little things like homemade treats, so I was so excited and honored to know my staff was planning something for me. This whole week it's kept me up in the clouds. I had to ask what the surprise was and was told they are getting chicken dinners for us for my birthday weekend. Anytime I don't have to cook is tops in my book! I was so excited and to be thought of. They won't let me pay for a thing. I can hardly wait to go to work on Saturday!! :yeah::redpinkhe:yeah:

Specializes in School Nursing.

When I was a new grad on a busy tele floor, my orientation was ended very suddenly and unexpectedly when I showed up expecting to be taking our normal load of 3-4 patients with my preceptor, and I found my name on the board with 5 of my own...and my preceptor with 5 of HER own! They were short 2 or 3 nurses that night, I forget. I freaked out. New grad, not supposed to be on my own for at least 6 more weeks and here I was, thrown to the wolves.

After I had a good cry in the bathroom, one of the day shift nurses pulled me aside and told me she was going to help me, not to worry. She had been charge during the day and had advocated for me to not have this done, but the NM overruled her. She said she gave me the easiest load she could, and 2 of the 5 were scheduled for DC the next day, so I should be ok. She stayed over until midnight (got off at 7p) and helped me pass meds while I did assessments and got everyone settled. I later heard that she got chewed out for the OT but she said she didn't care, it was not right that they threw me to the wolves like that.

I did not stay at that job long because of staffing issues just like that one, but I will never forget her kindness and helping to save my rear end that night. :heartbeat

The nicest thing a coworker has done for me was trade shifts with me.

Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

nicest:

it was early march and we were in the midst of a terrible snowstorm. i worked about 35 miles from home and would travel over unplowed mountainous roads traveled only by log trucks overnight. i was really dreading the trip home. the 3-11 supervisor overheard me worrying and invited me to spend the night at her house. i was a new nurse, young, and it meant a lot.

nicest: It was a horrific shift. My favourite RN left me a huge box of chocolates the next shift with a note saying "Thanks for your help on Wednesday". It meant a lot to me :)

Specializes in NICU.

After the first time I did chest compressions in the NICU, my charge nurse brought me chocolate and wine.

The nicest....

I spent a couple of weeks orientating a new grad LVN. She was insecure about the fact that she started her career later in life. Despite all the challenges had during her training, she progressed quite nicely. At the end of her orientation with me, she told me that she had bad experiences with the nurses she shadowed during school and was absolutely petrified the night before her first shift with me. She said she went to church and prayed for God to send her an angel to help her do a good job.

She teared up a bit and said, "You are at that angel."

I don't believe in God but damn. That touched me.

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