[jlm13]

I've been working for a home care agency for more than 7 years. This is my first job and don't have any other experience elsewhere. I first started working as a secretary, and my employer slowly started giving me more responsibilities. They compensated me well I would have to say, my salary has doubled, which I think I deserve. I learned so much just by helping people, I have the knowledge of 6 positions in the office. I went to nursing school and they moved me to a different position hoping (I'm assuming) that once I get my nursing license I can benefit the company, something that doesn't happen often in our office since there is little room for advancement, everyone is their own department in this small business.
But looking back in the past when I first started working, it seems that I was walked on by some co-workers. An older women in her 50's would make rude comments about my clothes, for example she said I was "practically wearing nothing", she would have me order her food, and was just plain rude. She did have her nice moments which I didn't understand, so I made myself believe that she had two sides, the business and the friend. My other co-worker, the nephew of my boss, would consistently ask me for help, and of course I didn't say no. To bribe me, he would buy me coffee here and there. My boss started asking me to order coffee for him and his wife, my other boss. Everything was new to me, and just didn't have the experience working with people. I slowly learned to stand up for my self, at least I think I did, even if it wasn't the best way. I gave my co-worker the number to the restaurant so she can order her own food, and the other co-worker I told I was busy and swamped with my work (which was true), I did help when I was free, and it stayed that way. I forgot to mention that I started as the youngest 19, and still am at 27. Ever since I started working in the new position I learned to break free from those two co-workers, and very happy, I have small interactions with them now.
A year ago or so they hired someone to take my place since I was off on Fridays and given a new position, another person was hired to be our intake coordinator, and another was hired to do data entry. A little background and salary information on the new employees, the new secretary 29yrs old now has a Master's in Art History and never worked, she started at 10.00/hr (around what I started with), our new intake 35yrs old now, was finishing prerequisites at a community college to become a RN but never finished it, started at 14.00/hr (the previous intake coordinator was a licensed vocational nurse making 28.00/hr), and the person doing data entry, no college background 36yrs old now started at 12.00/hr.
Now that I am back in the office on Fridays and just waiting to take the boards for my license, I see that there is consistent complaining, gossiping, and people being rude. Some examples of complaining: "it's not my job", "why am I being asked to do this", "she doesnt know what she's doing", some examples of gossip: she's a dumb *****, her ***** is all dried up, some examples of being rude: what are you talking about? I don't understand you. (with the most annoyed facial expression of course). These are VERY few of the things that I hear on a DAILY basis, and it's starting to get really annoying. We even had a meeting as to who does what in the office. At one point I tried to join in with the gossip but after that I felt guilty, dirty, and like my mind was being poisoned. I felt things, resentment against my boss who is also a victim of gossip and other coworkers because of what was being said. I decided I felt better if I didn't join the gossip, because it distracted me so much. I feel like everyday at work is a battle. The three new co-workers are Hispanic, rest are European, and I am the only Filipino. So that's what's going on right now.
For the rest of my other co-workers who are in the office, they are nurses, and I get along with them very well, even with the field staff who are nurses as well and therapists.

Now for the main issues.

Our new intake coordinator: is being rude to me here and there in the most discrete way. For example today, my boss had asked me to staff a case which I did, so I told her that this physical therapist would take it, and she responds to me with "That's my job, I handle the SOC's" in a serious and almost loud tone and in front of everyone, so I just pointed to my boss indicating she asked me to do it, and she smiled. So, I got a bit stirred up and told my boss that maybe maggie should just handle strictly the new patients because she seems to get upset and I don't want her to think I'm stealing her job. It may not seem like a big issue but it's that feeling I sense sense, especially since she has a history of being rude. Another example, we were in the process of discussing thanksgiving and who would be working the day after since half of the office usually works and half is off, so she comes to the back and automatically says "your'e not included", which I wasn't because I was off that whole week, but it's just the tone of voice she uses. Sometimes she tells me "what???" in the most sarcastic way after asking her a question. And when I ask her to do something which she is responsible for she seems to get irritated.

1. How do I handle these types of remarks? .
2. Am I the problem? I try to avoid her and keep it to a professional level, but she seems to try and shoot every chance she gets.
3. Should I let it go?
4. Any strategies to stop making her act that way?

The new secretary: complains a lot, gossips, makes everything a big deal.
1. How do I react to this?

The new data-entry person: always complaining about co-workers, I have to watch what I say and make sure it doesn't sound like I'm bossing her around.
1. How do I handle someone like this?

My Boss: asks me for favors here and there, to order coffee, and today I just had so much pride that I asked her if she wanted me to ask her nephew who is our medical biller, and she said he's busy on the phone, but I still went to his office to ask him if he could (he looks at me and says well give her the number and smirks). Keep in mind, he's the one who usually orders her coffee, so I don't know why he acted that way and I even told him that since he usually orders her coffee I went on and asked him, she just sometimes goes to me, but I'm so paranoid that she's going to ask me on a DAILY basis.

1. Do I just swallow my pride and do it?
2. From your opinion, don't you think we're adults and should be ordering our OWN food?
people are unbelievable.

SORRY FOR THE LONG STORY, just looking for an honest opinion.

Oh my god, I could not work in that environment. I admire you because you worked your way up and are using the opportunity to get your nursing license. I don't have that type of ambition. You should feel proud, and when you do get that license, you can secretly say to them all, "Screw you." Of course, you are much more professional and mature to not be like that to their faces. And you're working with some people who are family. It seems family co-workers think that they can get away with more crap. Yes, I think it's ridiculous that people in your office think that someone else should be ordering their coffee. I have only one idea for that because I wouldn't know how to handle telling them to get their own coffee. Suggest they buy an office coffee maker. Where are they getting the coffee anyway, some expensive place? Why not save some money.....
Anyway, it sounds like you work in a very unprofessional environment. You should just continue to behave like the mature adult you have, and concentrate on moving on after you get that nursing license. On a side note: I've worked with quite a few Filipino people. Always extremely professional, polite, and hard working. You're culture seems to highly value respecting one another.