I Hate Managers!!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

What do these people really have to do with nursing??? Let me list a few complaints~they didn't all happen to me, but the sheer nerve of people...

1. I work Coumadin clinic sometimes to relieve the other nurse for lunch. One nurse in there does everything...the CoaguCheck to check PT and INR, may have to draw blood, schedules appointments, patient teaching, liason between provider and visiting nurse services, calls from Tele and Med-Surg to schedule patients, to name a few...with no help. When the PA wants a patient to be seen in the Medical Clinic, I have to take the patient over to the triage RN, or to the manager to have them open a visit there. Also, after taking the fingersticks or blood, walk the charts to the PA (just next door). When the PA is finished, he sends the patients back to our room for us to discharge them home with new appointments and teaching. The patients are so rude that they walk in even while you have someone in the room (HIPPA violation as far as I am concerned), and PLENTY of times, I am in the middle of trying to find a workable vein on a scared little old lady who is tired of being pricked, and then, I plenty of times, because of these people barging in, I make the mistake out of being startled by scraping the poor patient and having to start again. We are told that when we leave the room, we must shut the door so that patients are not encouraged to just walk in, see other medical records and get curious.

One day, I am asked to refer a patient to medical for pain meds, and when I finish making her appointment, I escort her out and have a whole bunch of patients surrounding the door like roaches. I closed the door behind me and took the patient to where she had to go and returned. I had an orientee with me and she was sitting with a patient, a huge woman, who says "I don't appreciate the way you slammed the door in my face! You are rude, inconsiderate and don't belong in health care...(called me a few (b)witches along the way)" I tell her that I didn't slam the door in her face, I closed the door behind me (I can see if I were behind the door and slammed it in her face, but it didn't happen that way). She continued to rant and rave like a lunatic and meanwhile, the phone is ringing, others are literally kicking the door in and it is a madhouse. I just walked away from her, because it was plain to see that she just wanted to start trouble. She then goes to our manager (not a nurse) and complains about me. Bimbo manager walks over, asks what happened and I told her. She says that the woman is crying her eyes out and wants me to come and clarify. When I get there, this woman is bawling like a 3 year old saying how I humiliated her, how rude I was, how afraid she is, that she doesn't want an appointment scheduled by me, because she is so devastated and shocked. My manager starts hugging her, caressing her face and telling her how much we need her, if it weren't for her, we would not be here, and she is then staring at me to say something. I am ******, because, while I know that customer service is important, this demon was rude, belligerent and arrogant, but is now acting like a punk!! I was so angry and my heart wouldn't let me apologize because I just know she wished to start trouble and use it to her advantage. I felt that the manager should have just handled this on her own, rather than draw me into a confrontation.

2. Triage nurse gets a call from pharmacy and they tell her that a patient received two medications from a doctor that together would render a negative cumulative effect. Nurse tells doctor involved, because she doesn't know off hand why it was prescribed (this is one of our few great doctors who prides in patient care). Patient speaks Haitian Creole, so, the doctor got one of the PCAs to translate a phone message to the patient directions on the medication. Bimbo manager then drags the PCA to the triage nurse and tells her that she has to write a note on the conversation between the PCA and the patient. Nurse says "I was not told by the doctor to do this, she initiated this action for the PCA to speak to the patient, and since I was not present, nor did I ask the PCA to do this, I will not write a note based on what you are telling me. How do I know this is true?? The doctor should document on what occurred, because SHE was present and requested this. I didn't even know that this happened". Bimbo tells her that "If you don't do it, then, I will tell the nursing administrator". (Now) Angry nurse tells her "Do what you want. You are NOT a nurse, and YOU do NOT rule my license".

3. Nursing administrator is a manipulative user who chooses to attack people and use others (such as Mr. Boy Toy who wore sneakers openly while I had to get a note for mine). She has something against the RN that was in charge for the day. We were mandated to attend an inservice this morning. When we do this, they will have a few agency RNs run the floor while we are gone. This is not a bad morning, because we have no clinic on Wednesday mornings. I walk in and see an LPN in the triage room, and at first, didn't think anything of it...I thought she was getting meds (fridge is there as well). I keep seeing her there. It is a known fact that LPNs cannot run triage-that is an RN function because we can't assess. Later, I see the charge nurse and asked her of this agency woman is a PN or RN, and she tells me that she is an LPN, but our ADN called and said that she is to assign the LPN to run triage while we are at inservice. RN tells her "I will not be responsible to inappropriately delegate this, because this is illegal". ADN then asked to speak to another RN who followed this order. How disrespectful! If something had happened to this LPN, she would have told WHO delegated this to her...and I would not have accepted this assignment as an LPN who knows better. But this agency chick wants more hours, wants to get hired, and eventually go to school for her RN on our tab, so she is trying to kiss the rears of those in power.

I HATE managers...

[RN1989]

Managers aren't your problem. I see so many system wide problems that I would have gotten fired already for pointing them out and trying to fix them.

Sorry you have this problem. This is the exact reason so many of us leave.

At the very least, make a sign that states "No Admittance When Door is Shut" and then underneath, ask them to wait patiently until it is there turn. Make several of them so when the manager takes it down you have another one to go up in its place.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Yes, I can certainly see why people RUN from nursing. I hate to say it, but I do not find that many are autonomous with this constant interference from untrained and ignorant people.

[Quidam]

My manager starts hugging her, caressing her face and telling her how much we need her, if it weren't for her, we would not be here, and she is then staring at me to say something. I am ******, because, while I know that customer service is important, this demon was rude, belligerent and arrogant, but is now acting like a punk!! I was so angry and my heart wouldn't let me apologize because I just know she wished to start trouble and use it to her advantage. I felt that the manager should have just handled this on her own, rather than draw me into a confrontation.

This might be a good time for a non-apology, you know....I am soooo sorry that you you feel I was rude. Or I am sorry that you are so upset. You can let them hear the word apology without accepting any blame.

I am so sorry you are so upset...then silently just to make yourself feel better...but if you would stop being a butt-head it would be better for both of us.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

My manager starts hugging her, caressing her face and telling her how much we need her, if it weren't for her, we would not be here, and she is then staring at me to say something. I am ******, because, while I know that customer service is important, this demon was rude, belligerent and arrogant, but is now acting like a punk!! I was so angry and my heart wouldn't let me apologize because I just know she wished to start trouble and use it to her advantage. I felt that the manager should have just handled this on her own, rather than draw me into a confrontation.

This might be a good time for a non-apology, you know....I am soooo sorry that you you feel I was rude. Or I am sorry that you are so upset. You can let them hear the word apology without accepting any blame.

I am so sorry you are so upset...then silently just to make yourself feel better...but if you would stop being a butt-head it would be better for both of us.

:chuckleThe situation is over...happened about two weeks ago, but I will keep it in mind. I did respond something similar, to no avail for that woman. Thanks for the wording!

[squeakykitty]

This sounds like one toxic workplace if it has a clueless manager like this.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

This sounds like one toxic workplace if it has a clueless manager like this.

Yes....she is a true hysterical bimbo. A very exotic, attractive woman with air blowing between her ears. There are days that most of us can't stomach the sight of her.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

It's also horrible if you have the misfortune of working under a manager who possesses no interpersonal skills (read: they're not a 'people' person).

The worst thing for me is having a manager who is not a nurse. My current manager is a businesswoman with an MBA degree, and her sole focus is slashing costs. Patient care goes to the back burner.

[bollweevil]

I hope I never need Coumadin.

Seriously, why not lock the door when you are trying to draw blood?

And set up a system for those waiting to take a number so they know how long they must wait.

A sign saying that you are "sorry for the wait but you will receive the same courteous good care when it is their turn" might help.

A note for tennis shoes? Another case of Nursing majoring on the minor. I hate that sort of immature stuff.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

first of all, i am an rn and i was a supervisor and a manager. if someone has never been in that position, they really have no conception of what it entails.

. . .a huge woman, who says "i don't appreciate the way you slammed the door in my face! you are rude, inconsiderate and don't belong in health care...(called me a few (b)witches along the way)" i tell her that i didn't slam the door in her face, i closed the door behind me (i can see if i were behind the door and slammed it in her face, but it didn't happen that way). she continued to rant and rave like a lunatic and meanwhile, the phone is ringing, others are literally kicking the door in and it is a madhouse. i just walked away from her, because it was plain to see that she just wanted to start trouble. . .

well, i know you won't like hearing this either, but this was handled wrong. i would have told you not to have argued back to the patient. it only aggravated the situation. your focus was on the trouble and inconvenience she was to you. she had every right to complain to the manager and i would have done pretty much the same as the manager had done except that i wouldn't have had you come together with the patient in a confrontation. that was stupid. however, once with the patient, an immediate apology would have diffused the situation. why did you have to be the winner? you may never see this patient again, so who cares?

i agree that this manager is making decisions that affect nursing and are that she has no authority to make since she does not have a nursing license. this should be handled by being reported to the next highest manager in the chain of command of the nursing department. that aside, you hate this manager. are we to assume that she represents all of us and so you, therefore, hate all managers, even a good one? what kind of rational thinking is that?

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I hope I never need Coumadin.

Seriously, why not lock the door when you are trying to draw blood?

And set up a system for those waiting to take a number so they know how long they must wait.

A sign saying that you are "sorry for the wait but you will receive the same courteous good care when it is their turn" might help.

A note for tennis shoes? Another case of Nursing majoring on the minor. I hate that sort of immature stuff.

We cannot lock the door from the inside because we were told that if a client becomes agitated, there is no 'mode of escape'. In fact, there isn't even a way to lock it from the inside. No exam rooms have them. At this moment, the sign may have to be one made up on paper and a magic marker. The number system sounds nice, though. Thanks!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

first of all, i am an rn and i was a supervisor and a manager. if someone has never been in that position, they really have no conception of what it entails.

well, i know you won't like hearing this either, but this was handled wrong. i would have told you not to have argued back to the patient. it only aggravated the situation. your focus was on the trouble and inconvenience she was to you. she had every right to complain to the manager and i would have done pretty much the same as the manager had done except that i wouldn't have had you come together with the patient in a confrontation. that was stupid. however, once with the patient, an immediate apology would have diffused the situation. why did you have to be the winner? you may never see this patient again, so who cares?

you certainly have a right to your opinion, as we are not always posting here to receive instant approval of our actions and feelings. yes, the chance of seeing her, or any of them again is very high because most of them have to come at least every two weeks. and, yes, i can be the first to admit that i am not in the mood to be constantly abused and be part of a system that will not issue support in some of the things we are asking for, such as being able to lock the door from the inside to ensure privacy and safety, decreasing the volume by adding another provider or staggering the clinic hours to avoid a bottle neck. yes, the patient may feel she had a right to complain, sure. however, we are also human and trying to do our best in a bad situation.

i agree that this manager is making decisions that affect nursing and are that she has no authority to make since she does not have a nursing license. this should be handled by being reported to the next highest manager in the chain of command of the nursing department. that aside, you hate this manager. are we to assume that she represents all of us and so you, therefore, hate all managers, even a good one? what kind of rational thinking is that?

what this post is was a vent, based on a series bad experiences i had with a particular person. when a person is venting, at times, the thought process is irrational. did you somehow take it personal?? even if it was titled that way (and it was), does this mean to you that you have to take on the burden of all managers in this world? it is one thing to offer a perspective of the other side, because it is true, i am not a manager, therefore would not have a clear concept of their duties and challenges. however, when you comment on "what kind of rational thinking is that" illustrates to me that you are looking for an argument as well, or condescending.