Constantly get frivolous complaints filed

Nurses Men

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Hi,

I was wondering if this happens to anyone else, but no matter where I work within the first month there are always complaints about my work. When these are finally brought to my attention (by a manager or DON *never the person making the complaint*), I explain my thought process and the manager agrees with me and it goes away until another one pops up.

My background - nurse for 4 years, EMT for 6 years. I have worked in psychiatric nursing, rehab nursing, skilled nursing and long-term care (because I can't get a job in a hospital - but that is another issue).

What are my options? I am at the point of wanting to give up nursing...

Specializes in Maternity.

Hmmm. This is not enough information. You should share a couple of examples of when there was a complaint.

Ok.

Currently - pt had low bs, had staff give him milk and high sugar snacks (note he had minimal signs of hypoglycemia) and I went to lunch knowning it would take time to increase his bs. Took his bs when I got back and it was normal. = complaint

Previously - pt had an indwelling foley cath which fell out on A shift. Nurse asked me to replace it because she was going off duty. Pt had a sacral flap done and there was concern of incontinence. Discussed putting a foley back in with patient, which patient refused. Pt proved he was continent and i contacted the MD who D/C'd the order. = complaint

It goes on and on...

Sounds like you really need to look into the mirror with the rose colored glasses off.

If your getting similar complaints from multiple unrelated sources, maybe there is something to it?

As said above, what are some examples?

edit: I see you just put some examples. Not sure who is complaining, the patient, another nurse or a doctor, and what exactly is the complaint?

Specializes in Maternity.

Your leaving something out.... What was the complaint exactly? Your telling me what your action was..that's very one sided. What was the specific complaint made?

We would love to support you but we can't if we don't have all of the information.

I am telling you what I know.

As far as the complaint, one was going to lunch while the pt was getting his milk/high sugar snacks and the other one was not placing a foley in the patient.

You have no reason to believe me, but I am the first to admit making a mistake and if I had rose colored glasses out, it wasn't about me. It was thinking that I could work in a professional field and recieve a professional level of respect. Anytime I had an issue with something a co-worker did, I took it to them so they could explain why they did/didn't do something.

The question I am asking is of this is something common (or isolated to me) and what are my other options in nursing - primarily because I don't think this will stop (4 years and multiple jobs).

And it could be just me, I could be a terrible nurse for all I know...

Complaints have always come from other nurses and always female.

Specializes in Maternity.
I am telling you what I know.

As far as the complaint, one was going to lunch while the pt was getting his milk/high sugar snacks and the other one was not placing a foley in the patient.

You have no reason to believe me, but I am the first to admit making a mistake and if I had rose colored glasses out, it wasn't about me. It was thinking that I could work in a professional field and recieve a professional level of respect. Anytime I had an issue with something a co-worker did, I took it to them so they could explain why they did/didn't do something.

The question I am asking is of this is something common (or isolated to me) and what are my other options in nursing - primarily because I don't think this will stop (4 years and multiple jobs).

And it could be just me, I could be a terrible nurse for all I know...

Complaints have always come from other nurses and always female.

If you have had this problem at every job over the past 4 years.... You need to seriously self reflect. What is the common denominator here.

And to answer your question, this occasionally does happen in a job. However, if it follows you from job to job...unfortunately it has something to do with you.

I still don't understand as you have given me the bare minimum about the complaints. Maybe that is part of the problem. If there is a complaint there is usually a dialogue about the event... Not well I went to lunch while my patient was getting snacks. There has to be more to this..

I can't offer anything more. Maybe someone else will comment and see something that I can't.

Specializes in hospice.

I think what RNIBCLC is asking is this: were the complaints about your demeanor,or your charting, or merely the fact that you took said actions? Were they about you not communicating well? What she wants are details to help determine what it is about how you're doing things that generates complaints.

Specializes in Maternity.
I think what RNIBCLC is asking is this: were the complaints about your demeanor,or your charting, or merely the fact that you took said actions? Were they about you not communicating well? What she wants are details to help determine what it is about how you're doing things that generates complaints.

Thanks for expressing what I could not.

All complaints have been about my nursing actions. As far as I know, none of them are in regard to my demeanor. My charting has always validated my actions. I have been told that I appear humble in regard to my nursing practice and I have done serious self reflection, I understand there is a common denominator but on one hand I am being told I am a good nurse then on the other I have complaints filed. I am at a loss for what to do.

Specializes in Maternity.

I really don't think this is something that can be answered online. Too many variables that just can't be seen.

In all truthfulness, have you thought about seeking professional help? Most places have a Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that has a few free/low cost sessions with a therapist. That would probably be your best bet to get an answer.

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