What do I do? (long)

[ChrgRN]

I have been a charge nurse on my unit for quite a while now. There is a particular nurse who has been there for many years. She is very knowlegdeable, has very good clinical skills and interacts well with patients and their families.

Management is aware that she is continuously breaking a particular rule. (I don't wish to elaborate, all I will say is that it has nothing to do with patient care or safety. I even created a new identity on allnurses in fear of somebody figuring out who I am.) Management wants me to catch her (it wouldn't be difficult) and write her up. Violating this rule is a dismissable offense. I don't agree that it should even warrant a suspension, but a rule's a rule. The fact of the matter is that she refuses to follow it. I think to myself, "Why can't she just abide by it to avoid consequences?" But she has been a nurse for many years and she is set in her ways.

I am dreading having to do this because if I catch her, I know what the end result will be. I hate to see an otherwise good nurse lose her job over something this trivial. I feel even worse because a few years back she helped cover my butt in a sticky situation, and she also taught me some neat tricks and shortcuts.

I am afraid if I overlook this or turn my head the other way when I see her do this, management will reprimand me for doing nothing. I know I CANNOT tell her because she might go off on them and she will probably accuse management of trying to get rid of older nurses. What do I do? Should I give subtle hints to her to stop it? :uhoh21: Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[twotrees2]

One of the MOST difficult things in being in a management position (charge nurse is a first line manage), is having to make difficult decisions and to do things that may make them unpopular. Including fireing their best friend or even best employee.

The ability to set aside personal feelings and prejudices and do what they need to do is a requirement. Not everyone can do this. It is extreemly difficult situation. You accept this responsibility when you accept a "leadership" position within an organization.

Not everyone can do this type of job. Not everyone should.

You have correctly identified yourself as someone who can not at least at this point and time in your career.

It apears this nurse has something called a halo effect with you. This means you are willing to overlook this dismissable infraction because it is the only infraction. You describe her as an excellent nurse in all other respects. Often such nurses count on the halo of thier reputation and work to excuse them from disapline that others would be subjected to.

I suspect if she was not so experienced and good you probably would not be struggling with this issue. She knows she is committing a dismissable offence and knows that her halo just migh carry her through.

Hopefully she will take notice and heed your warning.

If you find yourself in a situation where you must fire someone who is otherwise impecable it is appropriate to tell them that it pains you because of their otherwise sterling performance. It is also ok to express disappointment that they put you in a position where you had to take this action.

IT IS NOT management who put you in this position it it this nurse by her actions. Get it right. If she were not violating this rule that she clearly knows is dismissible then you would not be asked to catch her at it and fire her.

If she is a friend by all means express your disappointment. Friends do not put other friends in such an uncomfortable position. She may be using your friendship to get away with this. She may hope you do not have the guts to fire her because she is a friend. If this is the case she is using you.

I do not for one second suggest that this should make it easier for you. I do though hope you and others here look seriously at this perspective. Just because you are perfect in every other way does not give you permission to falseify your time card (as an example). No matter who you are that is dismissable. The person doing the falseifying is guilty period. Because you personally feel it is a small infraction compared to her other qualities does not excuse it.

Being a leader means doing the right thing even when it pains you. If she were not so sterling otherwise would you be so quick to excuse her? If not then you know what to do. If you would excuse this dismissable act with any one then what does that say about you. Either you support the rules and regulations where you work or you do not (that is not to say, I believe you should support unjust or illegal rules) If you do not then you need to find another place to work that does not have this rule.

some folks dont want charge and are forced to take it anyway by default - for instance - our pm supervisor quit and no one has volunteered to take her place and i am sure they aren't looking to save themselves the 2 stupid bucks and hour they get - but if I'm the only RN i get to be "charge" and hate every min and personally if they dont like the way i do it they can make someone else charge i dont care. or if there are only LPNs on the floors the LPN on such and such wing is " charge" and usually she dont want it then. being charge by default i would tel management i did not ask to be charge and they are more than welcome to come in observe and write the person up themselves if i felt it was a stupid rule and especially if it had no trouble with resident issues - resident issues i will deal with immediately but the rest they can kiss my hinder and do it themselves. just my 2 cents for being pushed into charge without the extra lousy 2 bucks to compensate.