Workplace Cowardice

Nurses Relations

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One of my biggest pet peeves is when people have an issue with what someone else does and before addressing it with that person, they take it directly to management or a "higher up" while the offender may have no idea they even did anything. For example, so and so will hear so and so say something that they felt should not be said at the nurse's station, and instead of taking the issue to them directly they go to the floor manager (didn't happen to me, but I saw it happen).

To me it's cowardly and unprofessional. If you have an issue with someone or something they did, take it to them first and let them know exactly why it's an issue. The majority of the time most issue could be solved interpersonally without having to involve anyone else. If they continue to do whatever they're doing and it's some kind of policy or rule violation, then is the time to take it to the next level and report it to someone above their head.

There are rare exceptions when the first and best option is to go straight to management, but those are few and far between.

Anyway, this is my long winded way of saying don't be a snitch. If you have a problem with a coworker, be a professional and an adult and try to settle it with them personally and leave anyone else out of it if at all possible. If you try and it doesn't resolve the issue, then take it to the next level. You will be a more respectable coworker and management will probably respect you more too.

Anyway, this is my long winded way of saying don't be a snitch.

Preach!

Everyone knows Snitches get stitches! :blackeye: Word!

Or wind up in ditches.

Specializes in Behavioral Health.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people have an issue with what someone else does and before addressing it with that person, they take it directly to management or a "higher up" while the offender may have no idea they even did anything. For example, so and so will hear so and so say something that they felt should not be said at the nurse's station, and instead of taking the issue to them directly they go to the floor manager (didn't happen to me, but I saw it happen).

To me it's cowardly and unprofessional. If you have an issue with someone or something they did, take it to them first and let them know exactly why it's an issue. The majority of the time most issue could be solved interpersonally without having to involve anyone else. If they continue to do whatever they're doing and it's some kind of policy or rule violation, then is the time to take it to the next level and report it to someone above their head.

There are rare exceptions when the first and best option is to go straight to management, but those are few and far between.

Anyway, this is my long winded way of saying don't be a snitch. If you have a problem with a coworker, be a professional and an adult and try to settle it with them personally and leave anyone else out of it if at all possible. If you try and it doesn't resolve the issue, then take it to the next level. You will be a more respectable coworker and management will probably respect you more too.

Snitches get stitches!

The ONLY time I could see not addressing something with a co-worker is an illegal action or something that seriously jeapardizes the safety of my patients.

Anyway, this is my long winded way of saying don't be a snitch.

Or wind up in ditches.

'specially if yur from Texas.

Yee Haw! :dead:

Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I would prefer you go to management rather than "confronting me directly". I do a good job, and am proud of the nursing care and professional practice I provide. If you have a problem with something I'm doing- I'm not sure I care- I'm not likely to change to meet your whims. Management is paid to evaluate problems and prescribe(or al least explore) solutions WHEN THE SITUATION WARRENTS IT. It is not your place to supervise my care or to dictate how I provide it. If management is fair and competent, they will be able to tell you they will explore solutions or to tend to your own knitting depending on what is appropriate. I don't want to get into a "conflict resolution" conversation every time someone thinks I they could have done something better than me. The only standards I'm trying to meet are my own and the BON.

Specializes in Critical Care/Vascular Access.
I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I would prefer you go to management rather than "confronting me directly". I do a good job, and am proud of the nursing care and professional practice I provide. If you have a problem with something I'm doing- I'm not sure I care- I'm not likely to change to meet your whims. Management is paid to evaluate problems and prescribe(or al least explore) solutions WHEN THE SITUATION WARRENTS IT. It is not your place to supervise my care or to dictate how I provide it. If management is fair and competent, they will be able to tell you they will explore solutions or to tend to your own knitting depending on what is appropriate. I don't want to get into a "conflict resolution" conversation every time someone thinks I they could have done something better than me. The only standards I'm trying to meet are my own and the BON.

That's the thing that a few of you aren't understanding, it's not about anyone's "whims".

I just don't agree that management's job is to put out little interpersonal fires in the workplace. Sure, when a conflict gets out of hand it is their place to step in and settle things, but they have actual real work to do too, and it's not fair for them to get all the petty crap that goes on out on the floor dumped on their plate.

As I've said before, there are situations where a person is unapproachable or whatever where it may be better to go straight to management, but if a problem might possibly be easily resolvable without their involvement, why would you even want them involved and wasting time trying to figure out a situation that may have little or nothing to do with patient care? I don't even understand that sense of irresponsibility (in my opinion) that would want to just dump my problems off for someone else to deal with.

Specializes in ICU.

...and here is a problem I see. The first person that accused you of something you didn't see as true about yourself you became defensive. That happens quite often in the workplace. Most people know what is expected of them at work and they already know if they are slacking so is it really necessary to bring it up to them?

Specializes in as above.

if you cant solve it within the ranks...go to the boss. Most problems, pardon me,,,issues, are children having a hissy fit. Some adults never grow up. They have never been told NO!

Sometimes it is a cultural thing, too. Where I come from, direct confrontation is a complete no-no, especially between genders.

I had to be taught to speak to people directly about problems, and I still have palpitations doing it. The accepted way to work out issues where I'm from is to go to a neutral third party such as a supervisor, teacher, church official, whatever, and bring up the problem. The third party acts as a go-between. This way, there is less chance of a brawl.

When I have tried to deal with problems my way, I have been seen as a "snitch" or as "passive-aggressive." I think it's funny, because my motivation is to avoid a fight.

I have learned my lesson and deal with people straight on. Now, of course, people think I'm abrasive or witchy. Whatever.

First people want to be addressed about a problem before it goes to management. And when you do, they call you snitch or passive aggressive. Make up your mind. You expect others to accept your comments. Be courteous and do the same. If you want to be adults about it. Sometimes adults act worse than high schoolers. This is not directed at you canigraduate. It's to all parties concerned.

Dear Nurse Murse,

Stop being a "Cry Baby" and getting all up in somebody else's business.

mrgeezer RN

I assume this was in response to my original post. I'm quite certain I'm not the kind of person you've described here. In fact I know I'm not, but that's beside the point really because I was directing this post more towards situations I've witness than situations I've been involved in.

I did admit there would be exceptions where it might be appropriate to go straight to management.

I understand your point.

The word "snitch" is not juvenile. It connotes that a person has betrayed a group to which they have currently or previously pledged allegiance. It also implies retribution for betrayal.

Lol, no it doesn't.

the word is independent of your emotions. And it simply means an informer/ to tell on someone.

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