Friday, 21 November 2014

Dealing with rude/nasty staff members

Hello! 
So today on placement I had a bit of an issue with another staff member. This staff member has been continuously rude and nasty to me throughout this placement, however I have never really been the sort of person to escalate it. Today was the day when I decided too, since this staff member made me quite upset and made it difficult to work. 
Okay, so here's the story of what happened today. I was sitting in the bay writing my nursing notes, one of the patients called the bell and this member of staff went to the patient to offer assistance. As he went, he pulled the curtains round for privacy and dignity reasons. All of this was fine, until he caught the giving set of the patient in the bed next to him and caused the patient distress since he thought his cannula would come out and did almost pull the cannula out of his arm whilst pulling the curtain round. Seeing this happen I went to help the patient who's giving set was being pulled, so I just said to this member of staff to be be careful and perhaps be a bit more aware of his surroundings. Completely harmless comment and a bit of advice? I thought so, but this member of staff did not. And I was told to mind my own business and to focus more on my patients rather than what the member of staff is doing. After receiving this comment, I was quite angry and upset so I just made sure the patient was okay and then left. This made me feel very hurt and made me feel as though I wasn't being treated as part of the team. 
So, about 15 minutes later I was still writing my notes. And this same member of staff comes and takes one of the folders. So I told him that I was still using the folders and was completely ignored. This was upsetting since it just reinforced what I felt earlier about not feeling like part of the team. Even more upsetting to me was that when he had finished with the folder he just threw it back on the table aggressively. This upset me quite a lot and did make me cry. I quickly calmed myself down and thought to myself "I shouldn't be treated like this". So I went to find my mentor and told her what had happened. She asked if this was the first time he was rude to me and I said no. 
Other times were when he called for a nurse, and they were all busy so I went to give assistance and was told that I couldn't help him because I wasn't a real nurse. This is very hurtful to any student nurse when all we hope for is to be a nurse and being told this demotivated me and made me feel deflated. This wasn't the first 'dig' at the fact that I am only a student. I was also told that I can't make decisions about a patient because I am not a real nurse and he is going to find out from a real nurse. Very upsetting! These first 2 times I just didn't say anything and I wish I had told someone. 

After telling my mentor about what had happened and explained all the times he had been rude to me, she went to inform the ward manager and said that it would all be taken care of. I felt very relieved after this. The ward manager then came and spoke to me about an hour later to ask if it would be okay if I came into the office to speak with her and this member of staff since the member of staff was very defensive about the situation. I agreed because I really wanted to get it sorted, I explained everything with them both but the member of staff denied everything and told me that I was wrong. We came to no agreement, but I'm glad I told someone. The ward manager came to speak with me after and told me that she's really glad I told her and that if I need anything I can always go speak with her. This was so comforting, and although I only have one more day on this placement I feel as though this is a lesson I can take with me throughout my whole career. I have learnt today that I should be treated with respect as we are all part of a team and should all be professional with each other. I have learnt that it's okay to say something if I feel as though someone is being rude or nasty to me and I learnt that I should not be afraid of anyone that I work with. 

Being treated like this? My advice, just tell your mentor or the ward manager! There should be zero tolerance for workplace bullying, and I'm sure you'll find everything will be sorted and if it's not, then at least you know that you are supported and that it's okay to open up if you feel afraid or feel as though you are being bullied in the workplace. That's what it was, bullying. I felt afraid at work and I felt as though I was being emotionally put down. 

I am so so glad I told someone, and I feel so much better about going into work on Sunday and I feel so much more confident being in the workplace knowing that if something like this happens again I can tell someone, and I know that I should not be treated like that and it's okay to know that you should not be treated like that. 

Bit of a heavy subject, but I feel as though it is important. 
Stay tuned, bye! xx

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