Should i go over my manager's head

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Ladybluebell

15 Posts

Teacher Sue, I have been here for seven years. Why should i look for a new job. Why should i let someone who came from a different hospital and doesn't know anything about what we do here make me leave. I'm not sure what you mean by nursing sensitive indicators, but i stand by my "assertion" that we takegood care of our patients. People left our unit for a lot of different reasons but we have several solid nurses who have been here a long time and practically ran the floor ourselves after our old manager quit.

Nascar nurse, our old manager worked hard. She did schedules and payroll and ouy annual evaluations. She handled patient complaints and did the budget. She went to alot of meetings and did alot of other paper work.

Wendy79, i didn't say i regularly falsify documentation, i said i don't see a problem with being a little creative with documenting things that don't really matter.

Teacher Sue

114 Posts

Nursing sensitive indicators are those quality issues that are dependent on nursing care, and include falls, pressure ulcers and hospital acquired infections. From the tone of your posts, I am sensing a great deal of resentment towards the nurse manager that cannot all be explained by her new rules. You mentioned that you and a few others practically ran the floor after your previous manager retired. Are you resentful that you lost that control? Did you or one of your coworkers apply for this position? If that is the case, you might be prejudiced against her and resistant to her leadership.

And KelRN, I am sorry for your friend. I am aware that not every manager is fair and honorable. I am very lucky to work with a group who are. But I do believe that many people who feel they are being targeted are just unwilling to see their own faults, so must blame an outside influence for their failings.

Amelias

18 Posts

Seems like everywhere you go, there's always gonna be that one A**hole

You are not only wasting your time, you would be treading on very thin ice.

This interim manager is out to prove his/herself.

Eyeballing to the point of "catching you not washing your hands "takes a lot of due diligence. How did they know you didn't wash your hands in the patient's room?

Yes.. talking in the wrong tone of voice to a student can be construed as unprofessional these days.

Yes.. eating or drinking outside of a designated break area is against "Infection control policy".

This manager is going by the book .. and enjoying every minute of it.

You can choose to stick it out... see if the new manager will be any different( which is not gonna happen)..

or move to a less toxic workplace.

See my thread on the subject of achieving hydration!

Best of luck.

allnurses Guide

nursel56

7,078 Posts

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

How close are they to finding the "right" person? Meaning is there a chance this really is temporary? If so - just ride it out.

I have gone over the manager's head for the first and only time about a "supervisor" that I've talked about here a few times. I tried to cope for a long time. When things finally came to a head people were sneaking me a "thumbs up" and a lot of "it's about time" stuff.

The things this person did were somewhat like yours (browbeating certain individuals and lots of punitive threats) but by the time I took action her reputation was well known in our unit, and lots of people had already requested transfers. Another factor was that the person was hired by someone outside of nursing, so the director I spoke with was not defensive due to it being one of her hires. If the newer person is thought of favorably by her bosses it would probably make things worse though.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Teacher Sue, I have been here for seven years. Why should i look for a new job. Why should i let someone who came from a different hospital and doesn't know anything about what we do here make me leave. I'm not sure what you mean by nursing sensitive indicators, but i stand by my "assertion" that we take good care of our patients. People left our unit for a lot of different reasons but we have several solid nurses who have been here a long time and practically ran the floor ourselves after our old manager quit.

Nascar nurse, our old manager worked hard. She did schedules and payroll and you annual evaluations. She handled patient complaints and did the budget. She went to a lot of meetings and did a lot of other paper work.

Wendy79, i didn't say i regularly falsify documentation, i said i don't see a problem with being a little creative with documenting things that don't really matter.

A gentle word of advice. Don't shake the bee hive unless you plan on being stung. This new manager is doing exactly what the administration wants her to do. With reimbursement being connected to patient satisfaction......she is doing as she is told and administration will admire her for it.

YOur old manager is of the old school.....and I am sure they encouraged and welcomed her retirement, gently but firmly....if they didn't blatantly didn't give her early retirement instead of laying her off or firing her. I am sure they realized she was popular/beloved with the staff and took the quieter road to affect change.

This new manager is going to come in hard to "whip the staff into shape" and make sure things are done the "proper way".......which is code for her way, and will weed out the "malcontents" (those resistant to new leadership, her leadership). Don't hang your hat that they will replace your other manager. Many facilities are requiring managers to run many areas as a cost saving measure. She may just very well be your new manager.....while they "look", and never find, a new one.

You have a choice to make. Get used to the new way or get another job. If you remain resistant don't be surprised when you are fired as she is already making book on you. The past is past.....this is the new future of the nursing culture as long as there remains more nurses available than there are jobs. For as nurse with 6 years experience it is cheaper to hire 2 part time new grads to replace you and they will so happy for the job they will put up and shut up.

Is it fair? No Is this the reality? I'm afraid yes. I have been behind those closed door and it isn't pretty.....the yes men, company butt kissers, will win. You need to play the game or start looking for another position. You don't want to be fired. It's ugly out there right now and I know of many nurses that have been looking for over a year. Some of the managers that got laid off with me in 2008 are still looking for jobs.

Rounding in the patients by the manager/administration is a Joint Commission initiative. No food or drinks in patient care areas is another. A new manager will always come in and hire her own supporters, clean house, and make sure those left know she is in charge and know they have to obey.....I don't think the DON/CNO will be very sympathetic to your complaints other than to tell your boss to get rid of you or control you.

I know this is not what you wanted to hear and I'm sorry to be the one to know the truth and tell you honestly what the score is :hug:....I wish you the best.:paw:

BonnieSc

1 Article; 776 Posts

Wendy79, i didn't say i regularly falsify documentation, i said i don't see a problem with being a little creative with documenting things that don't really matter.

I am not trying to jump on you, I hope you understand that; I just don't think you understand how what you're doing looks to someone else. You said (as an example) that you chart going into a patient's room hourly even when you don't do it, and you don't consider that falsifying documentation. That's what it IS. You charted doing something that you did not do. You may feel it doesn't matter. I assure you, your manager feels differently, and I think your patients may feel differently. Sure, they may not care whether you're in every single hour or not. But how would they feel if they knew you were claiming that you were? If you falsify there, on something that you think doesn't matter, how can anyone trust that you don't falsify in other places--even if it's something that you would never lie about?

wooh, BSN, RN

1 Article; 4,383 Posts

I went over my manager's head once, for reasons unrelated to the things you mention. It had to be done and I don't regret it; in fact, I wouldn't change anything if I had it to do again. Oh, did I mention how much I like my new job at a totally different facility?

Hehe! Same thing here. At a couple jobs. Except you know what? I probably wouldn't have done it if I had it to do again. Why bother? It's not like it changed anything. All it did was fracture my giveadamn.

PetsToPeople

201 Posts

What do you want to report...that she's doing a good job?

PetsToPeople

201 Posts

Teacher Sue, I have been here for seven years. Why should i look for a new job. Why should i let someone who came from a different hospital and doesn't know anything about what we do here make me leave. I'm not sure what you mean by nursing sensitive indicators, but i stand by my "assertion" that we takegood care of our patients. People left our unit for a lot of different reasons but we have several solid nurses who have been here a long time and practically ran the floor ourselves after our old manager quit.

Nascar nurse, our old manager worked hard. She did schedules and payroll and ouy annual evaluations. She handled patient complaints and did the budget. She went to alot of meetings and did alot of other paper work.

Wendy79, i didn't say i regularly falsify documentation, i said i don't see a problem with being a little creative with documenting things that don't really matter.

Wow, you are totally blind...I don't think I've ever really seen this much delusion before. You may have been there for 7 yrs but I would't be surprised if your new manager is working on getting you out the door, if for no other reason than that you will never change or correct your ways because you see perfection in yourself where everyone else sees a car wreck.

PetsToPeople

201 Posts

You are not only wasting your time, you would be treading on very thin ice.

This interim manager is out to prove his/herself.

Eyeballing to the point of "catching you not washing your hands "takes a lot of due diligence. How did they know you didn't wash your hands in the patient's room?

Yes.. talking in the wrong tone of voice to a student can be construed as unprofessional these days.

Yes.. eating or drinking outside of a designated break area is against "Infection control policy".

This manager is going by the book .. and enjoying every minute of it.

You can choose to stick it out... see if the new manager will be any different( which is not gonna happen)..

or move to a less toxic workplace.

See my thread on the subject of achieving hydration!

Best of luck.

A less toxic work place, are you kidding me?! Sign me up, I'd work there in a sec because I would want to work in a place that maintains basic standards of practice.

Do-over, ASN, RN

1,085 Posts

Specializes in CICU.

I've just got to add (as a former manager in a totally unrelated field) that if "everyone" "loves" the "sweetheart" of a manager... Well, then that manager is probably not terribly effective. If everyone likes you, then you aren't doing your job.

Managers aren't there to win popularity contests - they are there to manage and ensure that things happen according to the company plan. Its not an easy job, especially when it is done well...

And, sometimes people need and deserve to be fired - even if they've been around for a hundred years. It is never easy or fun ot fire someone, and maybe the new sheriff in town will take care of some things that the former manager let slide.

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