The happy policy

Nurses Relations

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There's apparently a policy in our workplace, a new one that says something along the line of; Anyone who appears drained, unenthusiastic, unhappy in anyway etc. can be asked by the manager to leave that work day in order to reflect on their behavior. Thoughts? Do you have a policy like this?

Specializes in MS, Hospice, LTC.

I'm pretty sure my coworkers and myself would be sent home on a regular basis. The minute someone from our already poorly staffed unit had to float, we'd all be done for.

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Sounds like what they really want are cloned Mary Poppins.

Perhaps an explanation?

Another example of policy by committee. Started out to give an out for staff to be send home if they had a particularly horrendous shift without being charged PTO. Say, like covering during disaster of 40 diabetic children on a bus trip when the bus overturned when it hit a group of motorcyclists and the nurse had 22 of these little darlings show up at the ER. 14 are diabetic, 4 in the same family, and one set of identical twins. The other 8 had been on 4 choppers and all need everything stat. This was the starting point.

Once it hit the policy committee and got the bean counters involved the wording was changed again and again until it had a bottom line they could live with.

Now when this same accident comes in and later when you are dragging your perky little behind, one of these nut cases will probably come up behind you and remind you of this policy. Only now it is a threat. And it will count as an unscheduled time off and can't use PTO and will be subject to disciplinary action.

A horse by committee is a camel. A good will P&P as reviewed by bean counters becomes a weapon.

Just be glad the MVA described is not your problem and smile about that today.:D

PLEASE.....NOT Mary Poppins.... she'd take a spoonful of sxxx and cram the medicine down if she had to be a nurse- but she'd look entirely too pleased about it- someone would kill her - it wouldn't be pretty- those pointy shoe-boot things all mucked up with Poppin guts... We can't go losing an icon.... Could we trade her for one of the "Real Housewives"? They've mastered phony- they might have a chance- and nobody would miss them :D

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

I just hope I get the chance to prove how happy I am by singing a cheerful song or skipping down the hall before I'm judged unfairly!:D;):)

And I guess I will practice my sad face for those days when I have something better to do than be at work (which is every day). :crying2:

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I just hope I get the chance to prove how happy I am by singing a cheerful song or skipping down the hall before I'm judged unfairly!:D;):)

And I guess I will practice my sad face for those days when I have something better to do than be at work (which is every day). :crying2:

I can see you now- you look great :) But you might want to take the wax smile off before the head cheese gets there :D

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Omg I almost chocked on my coffee reading that ! If we had that at my job there would be no one left by the end of the day .

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

No such policy in my facility...which is a good thing ;)

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Specializes in pcu/stepdown/telemetry.

should I wear bells too

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

MANDATORY INSERVICE! click on link....and laugh

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I don't know...

I have worked a few places - nursing or in other fields - that I wish this policy had been in force. Sometimes working with the Eeyore-type people (and you know they are out there... nothing in this world will make them grin, stop huffing and puffing, pick up the pace, stop the endless complaining, etc.) is more tough than dealing with the increased work load that their absence brings.

I am no Mary Poppins, and yes, there are nights when I would rather be anywhere other than work. But, it is a necessary "evil" that allows me such luxuries as a roof over my family's heads and food on the table. Externally displaying my poor mood does no one - especially myself - and favors.

c'mon guys... put on a happy face! :D

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As soon as somebody tries to shove rainbows and sunshine down my throat... why... I instantly become very very surly.

I would be sent home.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

Can't help but to think of a patient who just had some bad news and the nurse enters the room all smiles and happy, "Hello Mr. Sunshine, isn't this a great day?"

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Specializes in MS, Hospice, LTC.
Can't help but to think of a patient who just had some bad news and the nurse enters the room all smiles and happy, "Hello Mr. Sunshine, isn't this a great day?"

Oh I know it. Then there will a new inservice on when it's inappropriate to smile, and it'll be something we have to chart on, and patients will be surveyed on or something. Give me a break!

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