[Suesquatch]

Noryn, while I understand all of your points about corporations, they have nothing at all to do with interpersonal rudeness and disrespect.

I did, last summer, lose my temper with my DON about how a charge nurse was treating me. I also promptly apologized for losing my mind. Bad behavior is bad behavior, period.

[Noryn]

Originally Posted by Suesquatch

Noryn, while I understand all of your points about corporations, they have nothing at all to do with interpersonal rudeness and disrespect.

I did, last summer, lose my temper with my DON about how a charge nurse was treating me. I also promptly apologized for losing my mind. Bad behavior is bad behavior, period.

I think it has some impact on an employee's overall outlook. A frustrated employee with no feelings of worth is likely not going to be pleasant. I still believe that a happy employee is a better and more productive employee.

[CapeCodMermaid]

The company I work for a family owned and operated and for profit. Believe me, no one in that family is making a lot of money. We lose money giving all sorts of free care. We all need to be respectful of each other. And, just as an aside, for all of you who thinks it's so easy being in administration....I've worked 7 days straight...did my regular time and was in the facility yesterday all day. Got called this morning at 5:45 and told there were 3 nurse call outs. I got up, hopped in the shower and went to work. Did one person there say thanks? No...they get paid for every minute they are there. I get paid for 40 hours even if I'm there for 80.

[michelle126]

Capecod...I've read many of your posts and have to agree with you.

It is so frustrating. I would write her up or at least give a warning. You let one person talk to you like that and the rest will follow. I definatetly give my DON a thanks when she works the floor. This new one....eh. I'm not sure. They tend to moan and complain and she will leave tons of stuff undone, yet complain when we do. Being respectfull is a two way street.
I'd stick to my guns and just let the staff know that we don't do things (being disrespectful and not working as a team, etc) that way here. Word will get around and people will respect a leader like you!

[caliotter3]

Good for you CCM for coming in and working at your facility. Not one time in any of the LTC facilities that I worked at did the DON or ADON come in and work when we were critically short. I had an emergency in the middle of the night once and could not even reach my boss by phone for help. She had her phone off. You are setting a great example. Too bad more in management don't act as you do.

[noc4senuf]

Coming in on the weekends to work? I thought all DON's did this when needed. Not only weekends but evenings and nocs too. If it is my turn to take on-call then that's what I do. I just have to adjust my own work load to accomodate it.

I posted earlier that I do write up the nurse(s) for rude behavior but, i also allow them to come to my office to vent. This means, any employee is welcome to come in, shut the door and say what they need to. And believe me I have heard all the language over the years. But, there is a line between venting and being rude and having conduct/insubordination issues. It is when they cross this line that they receive disciplinary actions.

It is sad to say that there will always be staffing issues in LTC. I as a DON will be out on the floor along with my managers passing meds, doing treatments and feeding/toileting each time that it somes up if we are unable to find replacements. I don't expect the floor nurses to do anything that I wouldn't do myself.

[caroladybelle]

Originally Posted by Noryn

I always liked and respected my managers and supervisors who lead by example, just my preference. I personally feel and I dont think I am alone that nursing homes in general are horribly understaffed.

Ditto.

You have to earn respect as a supervisor.....it is not handed to you. No matter how many years that you have in, you still have to earn. Because while one person may be sayingto your face, there plenty of others probably saying it behind your back. And that spreads like a plague.

The best way to nip this in the bud is to come in and demonstrate that it can be done. Then give the employee a chance to improve. If ishe doesn't go ahead with the discipline.

(My experience is often the supervisor doesn't know how things currently are going in the floor....no matter what they did 2-5-10-20 years ago. More patients/visitors/new aides are becoming more entitled and difficult to deal with. Technology often makes nursing's job harder rather than easier)

I always work harder and respect more those supervisor that work the trench occasional. And while you can "require" people to respect you, it really doesn't work that way.

[pepperann35]

Originally Posted by Noryn

Why dont you work that shift and show her how easy it is to finish up your work on time? It will only take 1 time, just have her shadow you. You will get more respect that way in my opinion.

Nursing homes are hard, having 33 patients really is difficult in my experience. That scenario you gave would be much more difficult to work but in my honest opinion it would also be extremely unsafe and end stage pts would likely not be given the care and attention needed.

New nurses are under horrendous pressure, especially with a large load of patients. Their lack of experience really take a toll. We all have been there but what seems minor to you could be pretty intimidating or scary to a new nurse.

I quit the nursing home after about 10 months, I will be honest--it was just too much for me. Never had a problem in the ICU or ER but bad memories of those long med passes.

Again just me 2 cents (which isnt worth much) but as a supervisor and older nurse you should give more support before writing someone up. I think you would get better results and more respect.

I agree, you have to gain respect before you will get any back. 33 patients is a lot of responsibility and we all don't work at the same comfort level. I have been a nurse 18 yrs and I am now a LTC nursing supervisor for night shift and I would not want to work with the patient load you described. That nurse was probably just venting. Your response was not helpful at the moment. I hope you don't take this wrong, I really am just trying to get you to look at it from another perspective. Good luck!

[CapeCodMermaid]

I'm glad the last 2 posters don't work for me. And to the poster who thinks it's required for the DNS to fill in shifts...think again. Maybe you have a small place and you can adjust your work schedule. I can't. I have deadlines to meet every day and when I'm not doing MY work I have to stay late. I don't mind helping out but I say walk a mile in my shoes before you think I do nothing all day. Listen in to the conversations I have with corporate when I am telling them we need to increase the staffing ratio.....stand by the phone and listen when I am telling them we need to increase the pay for the staff...sit in my office at 8 oclock on a Friday night when I am trying to finish a report to DPH about an incident that happened when I wasn't even in the building and that no one who was in the building bothered to do a complete enough incident report so I have some information. No wonder so many DNSs stay in their office all day. It's hard to come out and get treated badly for things you have little to no control over.

PS. It was a foregone conclusion all season, but.......
the PATRIOTS are going to the SUPER BOWL (again)!!!!!

[Noryn]

Originally Posted by CapeCodMermaid

I'm glad the last 2 posters don't work for me.

To be honest I think that statement is rude and disrespectful especially considering your major gripe is about rude and disrespectful employees. Those posters took time our of their day to give you their opinion and they seemed to post their opinion in a pleasant way.

I am sure your job is challenging, I am sure you have paid your dues but I would also remember that your job, regardless is much better than theirs (and it pays a heck of a lot more too).

Sometimes instead of blaming people we do need to look in the mirror. I will say it again, I honestly think 99.9 percent of the nurses could not handle the load you did safely and adequately. You may very well be the exception to the rule but your expectations also are likely too much for the average nurse.