Dealing with Rude Coworkers as a Nurse

Have you ever dealt with a rude coworker?

Most likely, you have, and the majority of working professionals have, too. One survey by Kickresume revealed that 85 percent of employees have experienced an annoying coworker.

Dealing with a rude coworker can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and even resentment. If you are a nurse, dealing with rude coworkers can add to the everyday pressure of your job.

So, while most nurses find their careers fulfilling, an annoying colleague can be like a dark cloud that seemingly wants to crash in on your good vibes.

Don’t fret.

We have a few suggestions on how to deal with rude coworkers. And while it may be tempting to learn how to outsmart a rude coworker, it’s better to remain composed and professional. Keep your cool and keep reading. Here are a few tips on how to handle unkind coworkers.

1. Evaluate the issue

Am I overreacting?

You may have asked yourself this once or twice (or a hundred times) when dealing with a rude coworker. Honestly, if you find yourself asking yourself if you are overreacting about an unkind coworker—and you are here reading this article—you’re probably not.

In any case, here are some ways to know if you need to deal with the issue directly and confront your rude coworker immediately:

Your coworker’s behavior is causing you moderate to grave distress.
Your coworker’s behavior is interfering with the level and quality of patient care you can provide.
Your coworker’s behavior is causing division between other nurse colleagues and yourself.
Your coworker’s behavior is violating your facility's rules and regulations. In this case, you should contact your nurse supervisor directly and discuss the situation with them.

Once you have evaluated whether or not you need to address the issue with your coworker, it’s time to plan a course of action.

2. Confront them

Confrontation.

Yes, we know this is no easy task, especially for nurses who loathe confrontation. However, there is a time to let a problem slide and other times to deal with it head on.

If you have decided that a confrontation is warranted, you can approach your coworker by implementing the following techniques:

Choose a private time and place without any distractions: Ask your nurse colleague for five minutes of their time to discuss the issue. This could be in the break room or a private office. Additionally, you could organize a time to speak with the rude coworker outside of work.
Address the issue using “I” statements: “I” statements put the focus on how their actions are affecting you personally, as opposed to placing the blame directly on them. This can ease the tension and make your colleague feel less in the “hot seat” of accusations.
Be assertive but not aggressive: It’s easy to get worked up during a confrontation; try taking deep breaths between each sentence. Likewise, if you tend to retract or shut down when faced with conflict, have a toolbox of assertive communication techniques you can use if needed.
Be clear about the issue: Don’t beat around the bush. Get straight to the issue and address what is bothering you. For example, you could say, “I feel sad, misunderstood, and frustrated when you do “X, Y, Z.”
Let your colleague speak: Let your coworker get out what they need to say, and try not to interrupt. This will make your colleague feel seen and heard during the conversation.
Propose a solution and see if your coworker agrees: If your coworker agrees with your solution, develop a plan of action and set a timeline for implementing the solution.

See? Confrontation doesn’t have to be intimidating. The key is having the right techniques to deal with conflict.

If you are a nurse manager, you could consider hosting training sessions that review conflict resolution strategies. Studies show that training in conflict resolution skills can improve teamwork, productivity, and patient and employee satisfaction.

3. Set boundaries and stick with them

Once you have confronted your coworker, set personal boundaries and stick to them. In other words, be consistent with how you expect to be treated.

Remember to treat your coworkers as you would like to be treated: with respect and professionalism.

Here are ways to stay consistent with your boundaries:

Limit interactions with your rude coworker to only those that are necessary.
Build relationships with other coworkers who align more with your professional and social skill style.
Take breaks if you feel agitated or on the verge of becoming disrespectful.
Model positive behavior every day when you show up for work; this may encourage your fellow coworkers to do the same.

Staying firm with your boundaries will communicate to your coworkers that you are unwilling to sacrifice your professional integrity. In the best-case scenario, an unkind coworker will see this and make an effort to change their behavior. In worst-case scenarios, a difficult coworker will continue to be rude.

This may call for reaching out to your nurse supervisor or human resources to address the behavior and come up with a resolution. Sometimes, following your gut in these situations is the best course of action. If something feels off, speak up and let a manager know.

Stay composed and nurse on

We get it.

Learning how to deal with a coworker you literally can't stand isn’t fun.

Nevertheless, annoying and rude coworkers are and will be part of a professional environment. Learning the right strategies for confronting irritating or problem-causing coworkers will help you as a nurse navigate the situation with more ease.

One of the most effective methods for dealing with a rude coworker is confronting the problem head on.
From there, you may be able to come up with a few solutions for moving forward in harmony with your nurse coworker.
If the issue seems too big for you to handle, don’t hesitate to contact a manager.

In the end, your wellbeing as a nurse affects the level of care you are capable of providing to your patients. Handling unkind coworkers by using conflict-resolution techniques will help to create a healthier work environment. This will ensure that you are being the best nurse you can be—a win-win for both your patients and you!

Want to find a great-paying per diem nursing job? Sign up for Nursa today and find local nursing jobs helping patients in need.

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