Why do nurses fight so much with one another?

noahsmama · Jan 31, 2011

Your "perfect little world" doesn't exist.

Does too. I've worked there. I'm working there now.

JacknSweetpea · Feb 1, 2011

As I've mentioned in similar posts.....be choosy on whom you decide to befriend in the workplace. Only befriend them if they have shown you that they are trustworthy, and that can take months...if not years. I have coworkers who I can say I'm friends with, and I simply don't engage in any type of interaction with those whom I feel are bottom-feeding weasels. While you are considered "new", kept it professional and work-related until you can get a "feel" on things.

systoly · Feb 1, 2011

Your "perfect little world" doesn't exist. All occupations have employees that constantly bicker and cause problems like that. That is single-handedly the hardest part about being a supervisor. The more idle they are the more mouthy and gossipy they are.

I disagree. Of course no facility is perfect, but the tone for employee interaction is set by management. There may be those that bicker and cause problems, but they simply won't make it in a well run facility. Alternatively, if you're trying to improve working conditions and constantly have to swim upstream, you won't last.

Bezoars · Feb 1, 2011

My first advice: join the float pool... no drama

second: Work on a unit with lots of guys... no drama there.

third: I agree with the person that said different floors, shifts, etc., have a different feel. I am in the float pool and love our cardiac floor b/c the staff is outstanding, works as a team, and always makes me feel wanted and helps me out. Other floors where I am suck and I ask not to go there.... once again... float pool baby

belgarion · Feb 1, 2011

When I was in management my second least favorite thing (behind budgeting) was the constant stream of complaints from one employee about another. Thing was, it was very rare that a complaint came from a male employee. I would say that at least 90% of these kind of gripes came from female employees. It seems like males just have our own way of handling workplace drama without shaing it with every one else.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2011

I disagree. Of course no facility is perfect, but the tone for employee interaction is set by management. There may be those that bicker and cause problems, but they simply won't make it in a well run facility. Alternatively, if you're trying to improve working conditions and constantly have to swim upstream, you won't last.

Well, it abounds in government positions - be they hospital or not.

GoNightingale, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2011

I'm a new nurse and had some clinical rotations where nurses were just vicious to one another. It seemed like every time I came in, there were a few in a bad mood and giving another one the "evil eye" lol. As crazy as it sounds..this is the part of the job that will stress me the most. I don't like confrontation and I never go out of my way to start "drama", but so many nurses seem to be the exact opposite..and at the same time, I'm not going to be disrespected, but you also have to think about your license and making a bad impression with your boss, etc.
I realize that nursing is a team effort, but I'm wondering how hard it is to mind your own business and go about your job without "getting into it" with other nurses? I felt bad for the RNs I was working with..their patient care techs were lazy and gave them all kinds of attitude...the doctors and patients were barking at them...and then..for some reason..they were always fighting amongst each other.
I'm one of those people who is pleasant..In my perfect little world..everyone can be nice to each other, without being taken advantage of..but let's be real..that doesn't exist. I quickly discovered this in nursing school, as well. Some of the most disgusting people I have ever met in my life. I realize this doesn't speak for everyone's experience, but mine alone. So my idea..when I start working..is to get in and out. My nice attitude has always got me into trouble..seems people become too comfortable with me and mistake my kindness as my weakness..that's when the disrespect starts..little things here and there..not trying to deal with it. So when I first start working, I am going to be as quiet as possible...observant...and I don't plan on making any friends. The few people that I have seen who seem to do a little bit better than others are the ones who are quiet and/or shy and/or anti-social. You don't catch them in the break room chit-chatting...EVER. Bless them. haha
Are there any other tips? I can't see myself having an issue with the Docs or RNs that I will work under. I'm eager to help and don't take their indifference/stress too personally. I'm sure that will be challenged lol..at some point. Does anyone have any pointers?
BTW, as a LPN and/or RN..what exactly in your daily position do you have to do that requires/forces you to work with the other nurses? I realize there are reports at the change of shift...but what else and how do you minimize becoming a part of all that cattiness and abuse?

Don't let anyone take away "your happy". Be cordial but stay focused on patient care, ask questions when you're getting report, take a look at patient's labs right at beginning of shift, take your own vitals when giving cardiac med right before you give it, report chest pain immediately to charge nurse (since your new, she could help you in deciding to call physician for STAT EKG, cardiacworkup..etc.; best way to get help from nusring assistants and believe it or not they can either make your day a little easier or make it worse- much more than the nurses. I hope this somehow helps. Try to work around the negativity without letting it take away your inner peace and happiness. Remember,you are a nurse and proudly, it is a part of what you are. But you are also a person who is loved by your significant other-which is extremely important and.....you have alot of other interests and committments that make you who you are. :yeah:

GoNightingale, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2011

Don't let anyone take away "your happy". Be cordial but stay focused on patient care, ask questions when you're getting report, take a look at patient's labs right at beginning of shift, take your own vitals when giving cardiac med right before you give it, report chest pain immediately to charge nurse (since your new, she could help you in deciding to call physician for STAT EKG, cardiacworkup..etc.; best way to get help from nusring assistants and believe it or not they can either make your day a little easier or make it worse- much more than the nurses. I hope this somehow helps. Try to work around the negativity without letting it take away your inner peace and happiness. Remember,you are a nurse and proudly, it is a part of what you are. But you are also a person who is loved by your significant other-which is extremely important and.....you have alot of other interests and committments that make you who you are.

Didn't finish the seeking assistance from nursing assistance, when you ask speak to them like professionals (even when you think they don't deserve it) and what I always try to do is say that"we"need to get this done. Because in the long run, I have found that it really is about "we". Also explain the reason or clinical reason why their intervention is necessary. I have found that sometimes, if I don't explain the why behind the request, some-not all, just don't get it.

:up:

franciscangypsy · Feb 1, 2011

Woohhoo, GoNightingale! I would love to have you on our floor! We'd get along beautifully! That's exactly how I feel and try to work!

streetbob66 · Feb 1, 2011

I have worked in the same place for almost 16 years and bad blood starts between nurses when management allows some nurses to get away with not doing their job and the work load falls on you. I work on a psych unit where the patients are up and moving around and some nurses just will not get off their butts to do their job. I work with some nurses that have less experince and will not listen to someone that has been doing the job a lot longer and others that will sit and ignore a patient's request. Statements that make me dislike a nurse are I forgot, I will try and I didn't know, all sure signs of a lazy person. When you are running your butt off to take care of not only your patients but the patients of other nurses you cannot help but to not like the nurse that spends her day holding down a chair. I have no problem helping another nurse but I do have a problem with a nurse that does not do her job and spend more energy looking busy than see does actually being busy. I have my own theroy that management lets this go on because if you are busy bickering among yourselves you are not paying attention to what they are or are not doing. It is best to go and do your job and stay out of the politic that goes along with the job. You must also remember that you will not always like everyone that you work with and that management will play favorites and where I work that favortism falls on those that do the least amount of work, I believe that this happens because those not doing much do not say much about what is wrong with what is happening on the unit. Management wants everything to look good on paper and all to appear good. Just a thought from my preceptive, everyone precieves things differently.

Psychtrish39, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2011

IMthatguy,

I am there with you I work at a government job on call and yes its gossip city thats why I am glad i am oncall there.

kath<3, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2011

I am a new nurse, too. Although I have found there is no outright fighting, I noticed a lot of people talking behind each others backs. Be careful with the whole quiet thing as well. I am naturally a quiet person. My preceptor took this as a weakness. She bad mouthed me when I was not around and even with the other new nurses on the floor. I was pretty much alienated for the first 5 months until two of the nurses took me in. I swore I was going to quit the job as soon as I could. The first month on my own I called in sick once a week because I hated it and would do anything not to be there. Things are better, now. Still I have no desire to talk to those people who talked about me behind my back...but it has gotten better. I still avoid talking about people cause I just don't want to get mixed in with the drama...it just is not worth it to me. I love my floor, but I am still in search for another job on another floor because I just don't think I got a fair shake from my preceptor. (I think there is a possibility that it may have had something to do with my age as well...I am in my 40's and all the other new nurses who were welcomed lovingly by this preceptor are in their early 20's...her age). Good luck.