Nurses eating their young......again

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Gen Surg, Peds, family med, geriatrics.

I know this has been discussed adnauseum here, but this is a slightly different twist on the issue.

Tell me, what would you think in this situation? You go for a job interview and within 20 minutes of starting the interview the unit manager starts talking about the problem she's having with her nurses eating their young. She then proceeds to say that she doesn't tolerate it and talks to rude nurses about it.

This is raising dozens of red flags in my mind. I keep wondering if I will be walking into an abusive situation....after all, it has to be pretty bad if she mentions it in the first interview, right? Hubby thinks I'm over-reacting, but I'm not so sure.

What would you think in this situation?

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Sounds like she is being proactive in reassuring you it isnt tolerated.

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I would have reservations after hearing the unit manager discuss unit problems during the interview; I would think she could have addressed the issue and assessed you as a prospective employee without sharing the problems.

What does this say about HER management-Leadership skills?

Good luck,

Paula

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I think it is a warning, she has lost nurses from it , and is telling you to expect it.

I went to interview for what sounded to be a dream job, and we all have to remember things that are too good to be true......

There was a job offer for 4 10 hour days a week to give chemo in a clinic, no call no weekends high pay. I went for the interview. The charge nurse started telling me how stupid someone the nurses were, faking their knowledge and then said for me never to express dissatisfaction with the clinic to the patients or anyone else. I ran for my life. They still are advertizing for the position and it has been a year.

I would keep looking for another position.

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That's kind of like being on a first date and bringing up all your problems. If they can't even fake it for the first impression, imagine what it will be like in 6 months! Sounds like your intuition is telling you something. I'd listen. :)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

what is my reaction?

look for another unit/place to work.

this is a HUGE problem if the manager is telling a POTENTIAL employee about it. That and I HIGHLY doubt she will ever get a real grip on it. It was inappropriate at your interview in my opinion, to bring this problem up; sounds like defensiveness to me.

Look elsewhere if you possibly can.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.
Originally posted by ManEnough

That's kind of like being on a first date and bringing up all your problems. If they can't even fake it for the first impression, imagine what it will be like in 6 months! Sounds like your intuition is telling you something. I'd listen. :)

What he said :).

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Originally posted by teeituptom

Sounds like she is being proactive in reassuring you it isnt tolerated.

This could be, also she may be telling you she won't tolerate you doing it, fair warning.

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Specializes in Emergency/Critical Care Transport.

Be afraid. Be very afraid!

Yes, if they mention it in the first interview, there's big ol' honking problem there. If it were me, I'd look elsewhere.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

If she brings this up as a problem in an interview, which sounds like a continuing problem, she could be just warning you about what's going on. But it would be a warning of olumes. Sounds like she's actually saying "yes we have this problem have had it for awhile, and it's obviously not going away anytime soon, but we're not going to tolerate it from you".

If i got hired there, i'd stick with it till i found another job.

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I guess I would take her comment as an opportunity to ask a few questions of my own. What is it she is looking for? Perhaps she is looking for strong shift leaders who can remold the personality of the unit. Maybe she hopes that person is you.

Personally I tend to like a challenge IF I feel supported and enjoy my coworkers.

Guess I wouldn't automatically write this off IF you also got good vibes from this person. :cool:

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
Originally posted by laurasc

Tell me, what would you think in this situation? You go for a job interview and within 20 minutes of starting the interview the unit manager starts talking about the problem she's having with her nurses eating their young. She then proceeds to say that she doesn't tolerate it and talks to rude nurses about it. This is raising dozens of red flags in my mind. I keep wondering if I will be walking into an abusive situation....after all, it has to be pretty bad if she mentions it in the first interview, right? Hubby thinks I'm over-reacting, but I'm not so sure.

What would you think in this situation?

Run far far away from this one.

I've had this manager before. She blames the staff for her shortcomings, treats people with favoritism, is blind to her own failings and pits shifts and nurses against one another, rewarding those who tattle on each other.

You soooooo do not want to work there.

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