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How Nurses Can Help End Horizontal Hostility in Three Easy Steps
Cindy Mehallow / Monster Contributing Writer
Nurses are supposed to be compassionate caregivers. So why are so many scarred emotionally from the gossip, backstabbing, second-guessing and other abusive, demoralizing or hostile acts nurses inflict on one another?
If you’ve had enough of the fighting, read on. Veteran nurses explain why such horizontal hostility occurs, revealing the true price it exacts, and share tips for creating a more collegial workplace.
Originally published on Monster.com
kstiltner1
about 5 years ago
7170 comments
Good advice.
irmander
about 5 years ago
2 comments
This is the very reason why I want to get out of this profession and why we can't get anywhere professionally. Nurses are terrible to each other and in general don't help each other up the ladder, just tear down. If this was a predominantly male profession, this would not happen. When was the last time you have seen a doctor or lawyer tear a fellow professional down. Unless we substantially change the way we treat each other, we will never get the same respect or make the advancements in our profession that we so desperately need-and we will continue to loose Nurses as fast as they come in and make the Nursing shortage a permanent and dangerous problem.
ayuib
about 5 years ago
2 comments
I fel one in the feild of nursing should be understanding and have pateint. I agreethat one should share values and talk the truth as well. if there is someone who is hurting you in some way you should learn to confront the peron and iron things out. be patient and listen sometimes it works
Ms Samsun Nisha RN FSN FIJI
newcareer2
about 5 years ago
2 comments
Could it be the reason, the LPN questions the RN is to learn?. There is no reason to NOT question others on the job, especially in a health profession. Shouldn't RN's be available for questions for LVN's? Sometimes the bitterness and envy has nothing to do with licensure. Whether you are an LPN, RN, BSN or MSN doesn't necessarily mean you're smarter, have more money, ETC...
Get over your own insecurities and work together instead of throwing your licensure around.
I'm the RN, BSN or MSN you're just an LVN, RN, BSN kind of attitude will not create a healthy work environment. The Captain/ administrator should not tolerate this kind of environment and be trained to lead a crew that can work together. (Hellooo... Marines, NFL, NBA ...) The Rolling Stones are still rocking and rolling because they know their successful when they work TOGETHER!
TheBeatGoesOn
about 5 years ago
46 comments
I have been in a position of the nurse issue of jealousy and competing in one of my work environments that was very hurtful to me and yes, emotionally damaging for a period of time due to
the results of a couple of people who decided that it might be fun or strangely competitive to hurt their team member. I will never understand why we as a nursing profession want to eat our own as you have so appropriately said. Isn't it time for us to come along side each other and be encouragers of one another, learning from one another, assisting one another without all the
drama. This is real life and real lives that we all deal with. Lets, lead, follow, and join hands, we are a Team of Caring Professionals.
aidalornafe
about 5 years ago
2 comments
Another reason why LVN and RN clash is because we have no contentment.When we are not content we tend to envy people who has higher acievements, more money, more power, more beauty, skills, possessions.Instead of building ourselves by doing something in order to improve our situations in life, we put down others who we envy. How can we be one when we hate one another due envy?Let us realize that not everyone can be a boss.There should be one boss in order to have a smooth direction.Can you imagine a ship without a captain, do you think it will not sink if there are so many captains leading the direction of the paddle?Just because a LPN has acquired skills doesn't mean he is entitled to lead the ship.The LPN should not envy the RN who earns more money7 despite her less work.The RN has responsibilities that LPNs do not understand, and the latter should stop questioning it.If the LPN wants a better work condition, then he should strive too in order to get what the RNs get, and avoid blaming the circumstances why he cannot be an RN by licensure, if the LPN cannot get it, then don't blame the RN.
bourdony
about 5 years ago
68 comments
there are many more reasons of the friction between RNS and LPNS. many times the facilities them selves create the friction . LPNS do a great deal of the hands on including med pass and the documentation. many times they are given a heavier load of patients than the RNS. the RNS are classified as administrative. they are suppose to do any admissions, emergencies or discharges. but many times the lpn ends up doing the bulk of it especially if the patient is assigned to his or her section. mind you not all RNS do this but i have encountered many that do and their response is i am in charge.the lpn earns 15 to 20000 dollars less than the RN but if you look at what LPNS are doing and requiered to do they are many times not even considered real nurses. yes we can go and get our RN tittle but some for whatever the reason, cannot afford to. we as nurses both the RN and LPN must work together as colleages and professionals. we must appreciate that we both bring good assetts and skills to this wonderful profession. we all contribute . we all have our specialties ,talents , and gifts. maybe when we start respecting , appreciating,and valuing each others contributions we can effect change. we are only as strong as we are united. Doctors and administrators get away with alot because we as nurses both RNS and LPNS alike are divided. As a result of this working conditions, pay scales, and benefits will never be fair because of the division among the ranks.Most of us end up overworked and dumped more workload with no end or compensation in sight. The bottom line stop bickering nurses and unite. elizabeth_bourdony@yahoo.com
rebeccamarcelin
about 5 years ago
4 comments
Among many other reasons for leaving nursing ,this one ranks in the top 5. I can't believe some of the nastiest women are in a profession of compassion. Where's the compassion for one another!!
busybloom1
about 5 years ago
4 comments
Thanks for sharing this. I am going thru this at my present place of employment.
I will share this with my administrator and one by one we can make a difference,
Latifah