[montieICURN]

This is my manager's new way of handling low morale in our ICU. In 20 years of nursing I have never heard of such a thing. It is very discouraging to hear this announced to the staff while 5 experienced ICU nurses quit and find other jobs, and the rest are left to orient 2 GNs, and any other RN of questionable skill level that can be scraped up to work.

Don't get me wrong, I love orienting new RNs. The problem is the patient ratio during that orientation period. The RN orienting is always open for the next admission. (having only 2 ICU patients) I have worked in this unit for a long time and have been a steady charge nurse there for 10 years. We currently have the nicest, most skilled group I have ever seen. Morale ALWAYS goes up and down over the years. How do you keep morale up with such an attitude from management? She shouldn't just tell everyone to LEAVE without addressing the problems, should she?????

Anyone have any suggestions, advice?

[SICU Queen]

Wow... that's an awful attitude for your manager to have! Perhaps some of the more experienced nurses in the unit could have a meeting with her to discuss some alternatives to keep up morale?

Maybe if she sees that there is a vested interest in the unit then she'll be more positive. She sounds to me like she's seriously frustrated by something and is taking it out on you guys.

If a meeting with her doesn't help, then you may have to go above her head to the next level of your chain of command. She should NOT be telling people to leave if they aren't happy. Hospitals need to look at the cost of training new nurses as opposed to the cost of retaining what they've got. Money always talks, right?

Good luck with this. Low morale is hard to deal with.

[montieICURN]

Thanks SICU Queen. Her boss encouraged her to do this. Administration loves her, so there is no where to go. I found a new job, and another RN did as well. That is down 7 RNs, 2 GNs on orientation, 2 RNs starting orientation soon. So, she'll be okay it is only -3RNs at this point. Maybe all of the staff will work 4 12's per week to make up for the short staffing. I cannot stand behind this attitude as a former leader in the unit. She's nuts.

I am very excited about my new job, but I feel bitter. I guess I'll get over it.

[caroladybelle]

Originally Posted by montieICURN

Thanks SICU Queen. Her boss encouraged her to do this. Administration loves her, so there is no where to go. I found a new job, and another RN did as well. That is down 7 RNs, 2 GNs on orientation, 2 RNs starting orientation soon. So, she'll be okay it is only -3RNs at this point. Maybe all of the staff will work 4 12's per week to make up for the short staffing. I cannot stand behind this attitude as a former leader in the unit. She's nuts.

I worked for one of those managers and one of those facilities, once. With the "Nurses are a dime a dozen" attitude. Over six monthes, she lost 6 out of the 7 night shift onco nurses.

After three years, of not being able to get adequate staff on her two units, they "demoted" her, finally.

I wonder how much money that they wasted on fires, fires, and on nurses quitting in those three years.

[MellowYellow]

Sounds like you need to ESCALATE up the chain of command (as difficult on the gut that that may be). I sincerely doubt that the DON would like to know that is the attitude of one of her managers--particularly in the current nursing shortage environment.

[JT RN]

Originally Posted by montieICURN

Thanks SICU Queen. Her boss encouraged her to do this. Administration loves her, so there is no where to go. I found a new job, and another RN did as well. That is down 7 RNs, 2 GNs on orientation, 2 RNs starting orientation soon. So, she'll be okay it is only -3RNs at this point. Maybe all of the staff will work 4 12's per week to make up for the short staffing. I cannot stand behind this attitude as a former leader in the unit. She's nuts.

I am very excited about my new job, but I feel bitter. I guess I'll get over it.

Good for you for finding a new job. It's absolutely appalling that a manager, AND those above her, would take this kind of attitude. Ultimately, it comes down to patient care, and the trickle effect of this policy is guaranteed disaster.

I hope you find yourself in a better environment soon.

[montieICURN]

[Sounds like you need to ESCALATE up the chain of command (as difficult on the gut that that may be). I sincerely doubt that the DON would like to know that is the attitude of one of her managers--particularly in the current nursing shortage environment.[/quote]

She has had a new boss for 2 months. I think it was her idea. I am physically sick over this.

[steelcityrn]

The manager may be saying this because the nurses who left were dragging the unit down with bad attitudes??? Im not in agreement with her statements, but maybe this is how she feels she can build a solid unit back.

[montieICURN]

Originally Posted by steelcityrn

The manager may be saying this because the nurses who left were dragging the unit down with bad attitudes??? Im not in agreement with her statements, but maybe this is how she feels she can build a solid unit back.

Thanks, this response gave me chest pain. No, there are probably 3 "Bad seeds", none have left. They will stay. I know there will be a solid unit again, I have seen many turnovers in 20 years. If people are dragging the unit down, everyone usually complains about THEM, and they are reprimanded. I have seen that work well. Not my problem anymore.

[SICU Queen]

Sorry you had to leave... try not to let that bitter feeling hang around for too long.

Embrace your new job!