Should I report my awful administrator?

Nurses Relations

Published

Specializes in case management.

FYI I work in Hospice.

I have been at my job for 11 months with my last day next tuesday. I loved this job when I started but have been very depressed for months and just downright resentful and angry for the past month. For the last few weeks my management has been very unsupportive and my administrator downright awful. When I put in my notice she was very unprofessional and sarcastic. My working conditions are unreal; taking call 15-20 days a month, getting a call in the middle of the night and being expected to continue to work a full day. No back up support for when I have a pt actively dying, yet another pt an hour away in pain. We are all at our wits end, and I am not the only nurse fed up and leaving. If they do not get it together their office is going to fall apart as they will have no nursing support. I feel like it is partly my responsbility to alert my admin's supervisor to the issues we are experiencing and the unprofessionalism being experienced. As nurses, we are taught to follow our chain of command. It is useless to try and talk to her directly, as I am leaving and know nothing will be changed. She will only become defensive and will not take my criticism (constuctive or not) to heart. I am worried about anything I say coming back to bite me in the future. Therefore, I am conflicted. Part of me wants to only finish my work and get out, but I also worry about regretting not speaking up about her awful behavior and poor work support.

(I have other posts that contain more examples if interested...)

If the company does an exit interview that would be a great opportunity to let them know what's going on. You can be completely honest and she cant retaliate. I hate working conditions like that. Hope you find something better.

Specializes in Emergency Department/Trauma.

That is such a shame. Hospice is so very important. I hate hearing agencies treating their staff like that. Glad you found a better place to go.

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

usually these people exist because their supervisor allows them to exist. Do the exit interview, if allowed, but forget about making a complaint higher up. If that person wants your opinion they will ask you. You do not want to get in a libel situation. The exception would be if the administrator is a nurse and has done something reportable to the Board. Otherwise, when the owners realize they have a problem they will get it fixed. Till then they are evidently content and your voice will not be heard.

If your corporate office has a hotline, use it. Be careful with subjective information--stick to the facts only.

Unfortunetely, as the pp stated, this exists because it is allowed to. And equally as unfortunate, there's a line of nurses who are looking for jobs, therefore, management could care less.

I would just leave my comments if you have an exit interview as was mentioned, or a time to fill out a survey or comment card when leaving. There are so many nurses looking for employment, that managers at the moment could care less how you feel and just say "hey i can replace you" and they move on.

It is sad that the nursing profession has come to this :(

Specializes in case management.

I would love an exit interview but nothing has been mentioned to me about one.

Specializes in case management.

Thanks everyone. All your thoughts are unfortunately very true! I will keep my thoughts to myself unless specifically asked :)

Specializes in Registered Nurse.

My father sometimes said, "one hand washes the other". Huh? Well, reporting one manager to another gets you nowhere. You are the outsider. If the place falls apart after your departure, they will hire several nurses to replace you and get the job done.

It's a business, they will build it back up. The unhappy nurses who talk of leaving, but never speak up, and never leave are part of the problem. After you leave, they will quote any negative comments you say. So be Careful, of what you say and do. Try to keep

the place as a potential reference, play nice and go. Whatever happens after your departure, is not your problem.

Unless you really don't mind burning bridges and don't care if you get a good reference from this company, finish your obligation and get out. As others have said, this problem exists because it is allowed to. Don't kid yourself into thinking her supervisor is not aware of the situation.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Is your company headquartered in Texas, by chance?

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