Supporting Coworkers – International Nurses Association

Supporting Coworkers – International Nurses Association It's always nice when you get along well with your coworkers. Nurses in particular need to work as a team, and as such, you may need your coworkers’ support at any given time. It's also true that the more support you can offer, the more support you are likely to get in return.

Tips for Being a Better Coworker 

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Acknowledge your coworkers. When you start your shift, and see a coworker for the first time that day, say hello, ask how they are, etc.

Offering a friendly smile and a bit of cheer can set the pace and start everyone’s shift on a happy note.

When time permits, get to know your coworkers. You don't have to be best friends, but taking an interest in someone helps develop a relationship. Being familiar with someone's interest can create a bond and make for conversation.

Ask advice or an opinion from your coworker. This is especially great for nurses; it lets your coworker know that you respect their opinion.

Let your coworker know that you are there for them if needed; they will most likely offer the same to you.

Be respectful of others space. Nurses in a hospital setting often share desk space with other nurses. Don't take over the area; keep the space neat and organized, your coworkers will appreciate your efforts.

Share ideas and tips with your coworkers, nurses love tips that benefit them when working with patients.

Related: A Day in the Life of a Pediatric Nurse

Dealing with Difficult coworkers Let's be realistic, it would be great if all coworkers were respectful of everyone, followed the rules, and did their job efficiently, but it's probably not going to be that way with everyone. 

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Negative coworker - It's a sad reality, but some people are just negative in general. For negative coworkers, nothing seems to be enough! Be yourself, don't feed into the negativity, and perhaps after a while you may start to avoid asking how they’re doing. A greeting like, “Hi, it's nice to see you today” does not open the conversation for a lengthy response.

Complaining coworker - sometimes complaints are legitimate, but some people can be constant complainers also. If a coworker is

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complaining about something administrative staff have in place, suggest they take it up with them. Complaining to someone that can do nothing about it is a waste of time. Every time they complain, suggest they tell it to the appropriate person.

Gossipers - there is almost always someone that cannot mind their own business. Just don't get caught up in a coworkers gossip, there is never an excuse or time for gossip, and usually an abrupt response lets them know you are not interested.

If you can maintain a positive attitude, even if your coworker isn't, you may just eventually wear off on them and be a positive influence.

The Right Support Supporting your coworkers actually implies an on the job, and professional means of support. It's never your responsibility to take on someone's personal drama, so don't feel obligated to do so. Don't let you be taken advantage of by offering extreme personal support to coworkers. There may be an occasion that a coworker needs a ride, or to borrow lunch money, but if it becomes a pattern, then it has become a problem. Professional support to coworkers is great, personal support should be limited in the workplace.

Starting a Support Group If your employer does not already offer support groups for nurses, inquire about starting one with administrate staff approval. Nurses deal with a lot every day, and few people that are not in the field of nursing can relate. A support group with your peers could be a great solution to share tips, ideas, and even allow for some healthy venting.

Related: What Can You Do with a Ph.D. in Nursing?

Supportive Team Member Be recognized as a team player by your employer, it speaks well of you and will benefit you in your career. A good employee and team player offers support to coworkers when needed, and knows how to ask for support when needed for them. Share ideas and thoughts at meetings, and be sure to thank any coworker that has extended themselves a little extra to help you out.

Additional Means of Support Keep in mind, supporting a coworker does not always mean lending a cheerful hand, or listening to a concern and offering advice. Support comes in various forms, and there may come a time that a coworker needs support and does not even realize it. Burnout is very common among nurses, and if you observe a coworker making mistakes because they are overworked, you would be doing them a favor by speaking up. Sometimes people don't even realize they are at the breaking point, and you never want to see a patient put at risk. Although rare, prescription or substance abuse can occur in nurses that are stressed and under pressure in some part of their life. This should always be addressed, it may not seem like it at the time, but it is certainly a means of support to see that your coworker gets the help they need.

Support comes in various ways. You may offer a coworker support in lifting a patient or performing a medical procedure. Mental support can be a big asset to a coworker, nurses see and do a lot, and it helps to have someone listen than actually understands. Then of course, there is support for the person that may not even realize they need it. It's sometimes difficult to see a problem within ourselves, but a good friend and coworker can bring it to your attention without passing judgment, and offer to help in any way they can. Being supportive to coworkers is essential for a good working relationship, just remember being supportive to coworkers should primarily be on a professional level, and should be afforded to all coworkers equally.

Related: Leading Registered Nurse Andrea Bowen, RN, BSN to be Published in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare as New Member of the International Nurses Association Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter