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It’s inevitable, especially as a travel nurse, that you’ll work with a boss who rubs you the wrong way or has totally different values than you do. While you may never become friends with your leader or see eye-to-eye, there are a few ways to make your relationship stronger and gain respect for each other.
You’ll also find that you love your job much more when you like (or at least tolerate) the people you work with. Check out these tips for getting along with a boss you don’t like:
Find common ground
It’s much easier to form a bond with someone if you can find a mutual interest — or even a mutual dislike. Maybe you both attended the same school or like the same sports teams, or you may both be obsessed with Italian food (and share an Italian heritage). You may discover that you both love the same TV show or like the same band, and you can remind yourself of this during the times your boss is particularly difficult to get along with.
If you can’t find any hobbies or interests in common, remember that you both went into healthcare for a reason and should, ultimately, have patients’ needs in mind first.
Don’t live in the past
You may be harboring a grudge against your boss because she didn’t listen to one of your suggestions or promoted someone you didn’t feel deserved it (or passed you up for a promotion you deserved). While it’s hard not to dwell on ways you or your friends were slighted by your boss, it only makes you more unhappy with yourself and your job — and it can even affect your work. Stop seething and put the past behind you, and then focus on being the best nurse you can be. Even if your boss doesn’t change and doesn’t notice your work ethic, you’ll feel better and have better feelings toward her when you stop reliving past events.
Be assertive and stand up for yourself
Sometimes your leader has no idea you’re unhappy or that his personality is abrasive. If something is bothering you and you have never told your boss about it, make the time to meet with him privately and tell him what’s wrong in a tactful but confident way. Your boss may be surprised at what you’ve said and make changes, or he may not be able to do anything to help, but you’ll feel better speaking up and explaining how you feel. When you do speak with your boss, make sure you are matter-of-fact and don’t let emotions override your message; this can make things worse.
Keep written records of wrongdoings
If you dislike your boss because she does things that are unethical or frequently verbally abuses staff members, make sure to write things down (including the date and specific situation) so you can address concerns later with her supervisor, if necessary. When a leader’s decision puts a patient or staff member at risk, you should immediately tell her boss or notify a hospital administrator rather than waiting to discuss it later.
Choose a healthy way to blow off steam
Your first reaction when your boss does something that makes you mad may be to grab a coworker and vent to him. While it’s good to get feelings off your chest before you take your anger out on your boss or, worse, a patient, think twice about complaining to another staff member. Word may get out that you don’t like your boss, or you may end up commiserating with coworkers all the time and becoming more disengaged and angry together.
If you need to talk about it, tell your spouse, partner or close friend your frustrations instead, and try walking, kickboxing or other forms of exercise to get rid of your rage in a more positive way.
It’s not always possible to become friends with your boss, but you can make the most of your travel nurse jobs by staying positive and letting things go.
Interested in learning more about travel nursing? Call us for more information at 800.866.0407 or view today’s job openings.
