Red in the Face

I am often taken aback by the parental tone used by those in charge as a form of communication with other professional adults. Since when is yelling considered appropriate? It, in my opinion, undermines the professional demeanor that the powers that be want to have reflected on a unit. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

A short story: I had a really nice exchange with a manager. Walked back onto my unit, smiling, just thinking about good things. Co-worker is leaving the unit, I don't notice anything amiss, we pass close to the nurses station.

The co-worker who is lovely, says to me "why are you smiling so broadly?" I say, "well, I had a nice exchange......" Just then from down the hall is the charge nurse, who is with the DON and another manager. yells (loudly) "Jade JUST let her GOOOOOO".

I was surprised, shocked that I was yelled at like a child, turned scarlett, my co-worker teared up and left, and I was really, really embarrassed. So much so, that 24 hours later, I am still perseverating on it. Both the DON and other manager just sort of shook their heads (at me) and tsk-tsk'd. Literally---tounge clacking and everything.

Oh, and then the patient that then said "Jade you sure got a talking to...." Oh, great, they heard it too.

There are staff nurses who don't get into the politics of any given situation. I have not a clue, even now, why the co-worker left, was asked to leave, and not sure why the co-worker would in the midst of leaving stop to ask me about why i was smiling. Except for she is lovely, and does have nice words for co-workers.

I am often taken aback by the parental tone used by those in charge as a form of communication with other professional adults. Since when is yelling considered appropriate? It, in my opinion, undermines the professional demeanor that the powers that be want to have reflected on a unit.

I am a private person, and know that a number of my co-workers are as well. Additionally, there is not a whole lot of time to exchange more than the most basic of pleasantries. But we all relish in the delight of other co-workers accomplishments. They are usually hard fought. But what a difference when a person in charge doesn't hear the exchange, but inappropriately confronts regarding the exchange. I have seen 2 nurses arguing in a forced loud "whisper" and the charge just sits back and lets them have at it.

When complaints of inappropriate behavior falls on deaf ears. That communications regarding patients are like the game of "Telephone" and finally, when a nurse reviews a chart, it is far, far different than what was reported. However, a nice passing in the hall exchange, normal tone of voice, is apparently forbidden.

We don't always have our hands on the pulse of exchanges with other co-workers. Especially when we are just coming onto a unit. Most of us take the time to say a few words, exchange a few thoughts, and move on. Communication in it's most professional form, doesn't mean yelling down the hall. Especially in front of DON and others that would question one's professionalism. Moreso out of the mouth of the charge person.

Most of these situations are not about what a nurse knows or doesn't know. Many terminations are simply nurse administrators proving their doing their job. They generally will pick on a very passive nurse they know they can manipulate. Trust with what Im about to say. The first person on a unit you don't trust is your nurse manager or head nurse. Two faced, back stabbing, petty, a-- kissing,

corporate w----s. Lieing is also very common among them.

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Specializes in Public Health, L&D, NICU.
Oh please tell me you are kidding? How horrible it would be to be a patient and have your nurse all of a sudden start speaking in another language. This is a big NO-NO taught in nursing school 101. Almost worse is when a co-worker does it on the unit. My hospital, a very reputable magnate hospital does not allow this at all. Starting up side conversations in a foreign language is perceived as "side-ways and unprofessional".

I've witnessed some cringe-worthy moments of this. I worked in a unit with many Filipina nurses, and they would often speak Tagalog to each other. I really didn't care one way or the other. But, one of the Caucasian nurses had married into the family of one of the Filipina nurses, and boy, she really took issue with it. If she overheard it, she would lash out at the "offending" parties. It would usually cause a silence to fall across the nurses station. I understand the reasoning behind asking people not to do it, and having in law issues myself, I see her anger (but not her reaction).

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