Teams make or break a shift. Most difficult behaviour is not bullying, but it can still drain your energy and affect patient care. These strategies help.
Imagine walking onto your shift and no longer dreading one particular colleague, because you have a calm plan for every situation they create.
10 strategies
- Do not take it personally. Stress, fatigue and personal problems often drive behaviour.
- Address it early and privately. Small issues are easier to fix.
- Be specific: describe the behaviour and its effect.
- Use “I” statements: “I felt undermined when…”
- Assume good intent first, then check.
- Set boundaries: “I’m happy to help once I’ve finished this medication round.”
- Avoid gossip; it always comes back.
- Keep records of repeated problems.
- Escalate through your manager or HR if behaviour continues or affects safety.
- Protect your energy: build relationships with supportive colleagues.
Useful phrases
- “Can we talk for a minute? I want to sort something out.”
- “When you said that in front of the patient, I felt undermined. Next time, could we discuss it privately?”
- “I need help with this. Can you take bed 4 while I do this?”
- “Let’s focus on what the patient needs.”
When it is bullying: repeated, targeted behaviour that humiliates or intimidates you is bullying, and it is not something to manage alone. See our guide to bullying in nursing.
“But if I say anything, it will only make things worse.”
Staying silent often lets behaviour grow. Calm, private, specific feedback usually works better than you expect, and if it does not, you will have a record when you escalate.
Your next step: Pick one behaviour that bothers you most, and plan one calm sentence you could say about it using the scripts below.
Related: Toxic nurse manager signs
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