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O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | A P R I L 2 0 1 5
The Irritating Things Our Colleagues Do
8 ways our co-workers drive us up a wall.
I
used to be a motivational speaker. My presentation was "How
Not to Choke the Daylights Out of Someone Who Desperately
Deserves It." A long title, an important workplace skill. Because
sometimes our co-workers, those people we spend more time with
than our families, can drive us absolutely crazy. Let's take a look at
who needs a (hands-around-the-throat) hug.
1. Seasoned nurses set in their ways. Just because you've done something
the same way every day for the 30 years you've been
working here doesn't make it the only way, or even
the right way, to do it. Wake up! Some upgrades
actually bring better results.
2. New hires and per-diems looking to change the world. This isn't the last
place you worked, and it doesn't matter how they did things there. We
do them this way. Don't go trying to change things until we trust you
know what you're doing. If you stick around and work hard, you can
ask our opinion on policy changes or different standards. Who
knows? We might even steal the credit for your great idea.
3. Whoever pulled this last case. You need to pay more attention to the
surgeon's instrument and supply requests. Especially since we know
that he updates his preference card every time he shows up for work.
Keep in mind that if you have it but he doesn't use it, you win. When
he needs it and you don't have it, everyone loses.
4. Colleague who oversteps her bounds. The co-worker who gave me a
break earned my undying thanks — but there's such a thing as being
B E H I N D C L O S E D D O O R S
Paula Watkins, RN, CNOR
Ever want to strangle your co-workers?
They probably feel the same way about you.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN