Words of Encouragement

I am a PTA, but I will give you my 2 cents. I say take it with a grain of salt. Don't take it personally at all! She does this to numerous nurses I'm sure and it's her way of belittling people because she is not happy with her own life/job. She is probably even jealous of you! If you know you are doing your best (I'm sure you are) then just smile and feel bad for her. She's the one with the problem. 

And be happy knowing that you are only "stuck" with her for X amount of weeks and you can move on! YAY! 

Good luck to you, and have fun in Vegas! 

If I had a nickel for every nurse....well, let's just say that your situation is certainly not unique. Two ways to handle this. First, you can hit it head on. Why not tell her what you just wrote? You don't need to be mean or raise your voice. Just calmly explain your feelings. Its quite possible that no one has ever called her on her behavior. However, the unknown here is how she will react. That in itself is usually enough for most to consider option two...let it go. When working in L.A., I took some acting classes for fun. One night our instructor was relating some things from a session with his therapist (only in L.A. right?) My instructor was telling his therapist about a run in with a particularly difficult director and how he continued to dwell on it for several days after the fact. His therapist responded simply, "Well that's HIS shit, not yours. The only way you make it YOUR shit, is by allowing it to affect you". My first thought after hearing this was to ask my instructor how much he was spending on therapy. However, after I thought about it a bit, it did make sense. You are absolutely the only one who can allow this person to affect you. You do not have to allow this person access to the way you feel. Sure, this mantra is much easier said than done, but it really can free you from a lot of other people's BS. And believe me, in travel nursing, you will have plenty of opportunities to practice this. Rest assured, you are not alone in having to deal with this. But the way you deal with it can mean the difference in your sanity :-) Hope this helps. David

Thanks to both of you as your responses have definitely helped.  I'm already over it and I have seen myself developing a total different look out on life, haha.  My conclusion is, I know I'm a good nurse and that's all that matters.  I am confident in my knowledge, skills, and practice and I do the best that I absolutely can do to best care for my patients.  Of course there is lots that I don't know, but I am looking forward to the learning opportunities I will have along the way.  There are always people in life that try to ruffle your feathers, and I truly am in control of who I allow to do so.  I already feel like I am learning so much about myself and I am only a few weeks into my first assignment!  Thanks again for your advice!!

I'll ruffle your feathers anytime birthday girl!!!  haha I love you and if anyone gives you crap tell them their going to have some major backlash from your girl in the midwest. BMORE style smack down coming their way! haha jk. You are one of the smartest people I know and are an awesome nurse! Like I said, tell it like it is and kill them with kindness, it has helped me so far. Thanks for advice joining this site, a lot of good info. XO Nancyface!