Management Euphamisms....add yours now!

mosrnc · Oct 6, 2001

Boy, I laughed when I read these and then realized I could fall into a deep depression if I ever believe them! There is a hard reality to the stuff that managers/administrators attempt to get a way with.

This is from a fortune cookie and I have it taped to my name badge. I have been wearing it for years:

"A liar is not believed even though he tell the truth"

Not much can be done for those who cry wolf.

spudflake · Oct 6, 2001

Okay, okay. As a manager I recognized way too many of these and admit that I have used some:o but not all:D I once made the error of telling one of my staff to try to keep a positive attitude. She told me "Oh yeah, I'm positive..I'm positive I have an attitude!" There are things managers CAN do and things we just can't. It's a thankless job and mostly no win. If you do something to help the staff, you tick off the bigwigs and if you do something to help the bigwigs, you tick off the staff. The only thing left is to come up with these stupid sayings that mean NOTHING:rolleyes:

Jenny P · Oct 7, 2001

Hey, Spudflake, don't take it personally. This thread is a creative way to deal with the everyday stress of the job and short staffing- a method of venting. In reading several of your other posts, you seem to understand some of the stress that those of us at the bedside are experiencing.

I heard one nurse comment to the phrase "don't work harder, work smarter" by saying "you think I've been reading "Nursing for Dummies lately?";)

tonchitoRN · Oct 7, 2001

Cross training - translation: you get to do the job of 5 while we pay for one.

donmurray · Oct 7, 2001

"I'll get back to you later!" = "Don't hold your breath waiting."

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Oct 8, 2001

Spud, I agree with Jenny P, I have read your posts and don't think any less of you b/c you're a manager LOL!

I have to be honest though, as you can see here, most employees can see right through these useless sayings, and I feel that, when used insincerely, or too often, it diminishes one's respectablity. I have actually told people I appreciate their flexibility when I have been in charge, sometimes to gain their cooperation. But a more honest "Thank you for all your hard work tonight, it didn't go unnoticed just seems more honest and sincere. Or if at a staff meeting the manager would just say, I happen to agree with you, and I voiced the same concerns, but they went unheard, anyone have any suggestions as to how we can make a stronger argument? Man would that be refreshing!!!!! I know my buddy, who was also my manager at one point, would argue for things on our behalf, but for some reason, some managers just feel it is inappropriate to share that with staff. Maybe they fear for thier own jobs, but there is a way to say you disagreed with your boss w/o saying she's an idiot (even if she or he is!) It's an attitude as if we are children and are unable to handle the reality. And believe me, I know many nurses who have behaved like children, but somehow there has to be a happy medium where we are treated as adults, in an honest way.

I also hate to admit, I like the expression to think outside of the box. To me it's another way of saying you are either a black and white thinker or a "gray area" thinker. Gray area thinkers would be = outside the box thinkers. My bosses are very much afraid to try anything new or do anything in a different way. They cannot, IMHO, think outside of the box.

I have my own saying when it comes to politics and policies and change at work..."No thinking allowed." This seems to sum up my frustration. I think I am a creative problem solver, but they cannot appreciate the logic of it b/c it is not the usual way they do things. It doesn't matter if it makes perfect sense, costs less money, or is more convenient, NO THINKING ALLOWED! Arggghhh!!

fergus51 · Oct 8, 2001

God, I had an instructor who always said we should be "thinking outside the box"!!! I always interpreted that as : I don't know what we should do so come up with something off the top of your head and we'll experiment on one of the patients to see how it works.

spudflake · Oct 8, 2001

Well fellow nurses...I do not take any offense to this thread at all. As I said, when management can't think or do the right thing, they come up with these stupid phrases. I like this thread because it does give insight. I have worked VERY hard to keep my staffing levels and not flex or call off staff. Volunteers only.

Being honest with staff about what's happening can work for you or against you. Remodeling or bldg a new wing comes out of a different budget then payroll. Some hospitals - non profit - have to put so many dollars a year into improvements or additions. This does not include staff. Most staff don't understand this and think you're lying:o

Most of my staff know what I've been doing for them:) We will show a healthy profit for our department this year. I feel that the staff had a major part in this. I remind them taht we can over stock or order what we need as we use up supplies. I have the best stocked ER in Northern Nevada. We see 30 pts/day average, I have 2 RN's and a clerk 7a-7p, 1 RN 9a-9p and 2 RN's and a clerk 7p-7a. Now that's over staffed! ! BUT, we are a free standing ER and the only RNs so there's no upstairs or floor nurse or house supe to call when we get very busy. It's just us.

I know you all can appreciate the battle I fight for keeping the staff I have. We are an ER. Some days we get some pretty heavy duty ugly stuff...some days NADA....but you never know which day will be which:confused:

Most of my staff thank me for fighting the fight...but the few that are disgruntled would be that way no matter what. But boy can they poison the pot.

Nevada has a severe nursing shortage - we are the worst in the nation:o But I have a waiting list of nurses who want to work at my facility:D That must say something

spudflake · Oct 8, 2001

I also think the saying "Think outside the box" can be taken more then one way. The first time I heard it I cringed. I was sure the expression came from a man talking to a group of women:p

RNforLongTime · Oct 8, 2001

Originally posted by Jenny P
I heard one nurse comment to the phrase "don't work harder, work smarter" by saying "you think I've been reading "Nursing for Dummies lately?";)

"Nursing for Dummies", that is too hilarious! When I read that I fell off my chair because I have actually purchased some books in the "for dummies" series.

Thanks for the laugh!

Kelly:)

debbyed · Oct 9, 2001

"But your are so go at doing these projects"...meaning ... No-one else is stupid enough to say yes.

rdhdnrs · Oct 9, 2001

What about "you're not a team player-you're a doctor pleaser"!

I'm still trying to figure that one out. :rolleyes: