The happy policy

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 27, 2011

that would be my mentality too. when i stop having fun at work or even a pleasant experience and it starts to be more bad days then good, then it's time to move on.
i do agree that a general policy wouldn't be fitting in something like this. but i also think that something needs to start being done regarding these particular people i have talked about because of how toxic it can be for a whole unit. people need to start being accountable for their behavior. (again, talking about the chronic people, not the once in a while bad day).
i am very happy with majority of the co-workers i have. but there is one that is an extremely manipulative person and being new i have been able to sit back and see her in action. i have had to spend a lot of time with her. she is a very toxic person in a different way then doom and gloom, but a lot of people don't even see it because she is so manipulative and they don't see how she is playing everyone. very much like those borderline personality patients. but i can honestly say i have never had a job i didn't have fun at. the job itself might not have been great or might have been mundane. but i always had fun with a group of co-workers that made me enjoy going to work. i feel like now i have great co-workers (except for the one) and a job i actually enjoy. so most times i don't mind going to work. the only time i dread it is when i know i am working with the one person. if anything sometimes i am just tired so wouldn't mind a day off but other then that, i love what i do. i have always been a glass half full type of person though besides my rare little funks i get in when i need a day to feel sorry for myself. lol i try to make the best out of any situation so when i am faced with one of these people it makes it especially hard because i don't like being surrounded by the negativity.

oy. that is about the lousiest to have to sort through.

good luck with that one- at least you see it, and knowledge is power, especially when dealing with humans :)

allnurses Guide · Sep 27, 2011

I agree with Mi Vida Loca.
The Disney model works well, there is no denying it, and it can't hurt to try. I support the policy.

But what if your manager catches the look on your face just as you notice a chunk of gum stuck to your shoe?

Genuinely negative people drain the energy out of the room very quickly. If you take yourself too seriously -- get away!! That isn't normally broadcast only by facial expression though. You can be happy without smiling. Whenever this issue comes up I give it the Fern Test. A supervisor from c. 1978 - the last of the gruff but kind-hearted battle-axe type, and her name really was Fern. Loved her to pieces after I got done being terrified of her. If I think she would be humiliated by a one size fits all mandate I don't care how much buzz was created by the last focus group.

To continue the Disney theme .. I wonder what people would think if for just one day everyone starting their shift gathered together and formed a line singing Whistle While You Work as they trudge down the hall?

I dislike fake and saccarine but random and bizarre always make me smile without even trying.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 27, 2011

But what if your manager catches the look on your face just as you notice a chunk of gum stuck to your shoe?
Genuinely negative people drain the energy out of the room very quickly. If you take yourself too seriously -- get away!! That isn't normally broadcast only by facial expression though. You can be happy without smiling. Whenever this issue comes up I give it the Fern Test. A supervisor from c. 1978 - the last of the gruff but kind-hearted battle-axe type, and her name really was Fern. Loved her to pieces after I got done being terrified of her. If I think she would be humiliated by a one size fits all mandate I don't care how much buzz was created by the last focus group.
To continue the Disney theme .. I wonder what people would think if for just one day everyone starting their shift gathered together and formed a line singing Whistle While You Work as they trudge down the hall?
I dislike fake and saccarine but random and bizarre always make me smile without even trying.

:lol2: Don't you miss the old battle weary nurses, who knew every square inch of the hospital, had been there when the oldest MD was a med student, and knew what it was to wash bedpans in the hopper room? THEY were respectable- and initially terrifying- but they always had your back. No young-un eating with those sorts :)

Maybe some Snow White outfits, with the dwarves filing in behind

allnurses Guide · Sep 27, 2011

When she retired she walked around the building dropping off the personalized pencils she got for everybody - saying something like "Best Wishes. Fern." It was really sweet. I never used mine. I'm a sucker for sentimental stuff like that.

Hey if we do the Seven Dwarves Grumpy will just blend in with the crowd!!

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2011

All kidding aside, I do think some people have rather toxic attitudes.

However, threatening people to be enthusiastic is a bit ironic, isn't it?

Perhaps administration should look into *why* employees are tired or unhappy and fix those problems rather than have everyone act a certain way.

But if that happened, I truly would work in a Magic Kingdom!

PS - going to DisneyWorld for the first time next month and this thread is actually getting me excited, haha.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 27, 2011

When she retired she walked around the building dropping off the personalized pencils she got for everybody - saying something like "Best Wishes. Fern." It was really sweet. I never used mine. I'm a sucker for sentimental stuff like that.
Hey if we do the Seven Dwarves Grumpy will just blend in with the crowd!!

It's a win-win :)

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 27, 2011

When she retired she walked around the building dropping off the personalized pencils she got for everybody - saying something like "Best Wishes. Fern." It was really sweet. I never used mine. I'm a sucker for sentimental stuff like that.
Hey if we do the Seven Dwarves Grumpy will just blend in with the crowd!!

I would've bawled. I can't get through the bonus round on Wheel of Fortune without losing it if someone wins big- it's just so nice

Seriously....during the Olympics, I go through kleenex like oxygen..... :eek:

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 27, 2011

I agree with Mi Vida Loca.
The Disney model works well, there is no denying it, and it can't hurt to try. I support the policy.

My brother works for Disney and I have partied hard with them.......they are WAY worse than we are once the doors close, the eyes stop looking.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2011

but what if your manager catches the look on your face just as you notice a chunk of gum stuck to your shoe?
i like that very funny!
genuinely negative people drain the energy out of the room very quickly. if you take yourself too seriously -- get away!! that isn't normally broadcast only by facial expression though. you can be happy without smiling. whenever this issue comes up i give it the fern test. a supervisor from c. 1978 - the last of the gruff but kind-hearted battle-axe type, and her name really was fern. loved her to pieces after i got done being terrified of her. if i think she would be humiliated by a one size fits all mandate i don't care how much buzz was created by the last focus group.
ahh the good ole days....atilla the hun on the outside....all mother theresa on the inside :redbeathe
to continue the disney theme .. i wonder what people would think if for just one day everyone starting their shift gathered together and formed a line singing whistle while you work as they trudge down the hall?
i dislike fake and saccharin but random and bizarre always make me smile without even trying.

i worked with this nurse and i loved her to pieces but she was eeyore.....through and through eeyore.

(eeyore is a character in the [color=#0645ad]winnie-the-pooh. he is generally characterized as a [color=#0645ad]pessimistic, [color=#0645ad]gloomy, [color=#0645ad]depressed, [color=#0645ad]anhedonia, old grey [color=#0645ad]stuffed [color=#0645ad]donkey who is a friend of the title character, winnie-the-poo)

absolutely....head to toe....to the core of her soul....... eeyore! you'd ask her how she was that day and she'd reply in this one note voice...."well the sun's come up again...." i love her dearly, her patients love her dearly, her co-workers love her dearly, she is an excellent nurse........she just doesn't smile very much. but you love her because of it.:redbeathe

i agree with that guy....

that guy: the happy policy

originally posted by linear thinker

linear thinker

[

[i agree with mi vida loca. [/i]

the disney model works well, there is no denying it, and it can't hurt to try. i support the policy.]]

my brother works for disney and i have partied hard with them.......they are way worse than we are once the doors close, the eyes stop looking. end quote.

the fighting that goes on between a bunch of prima donna, frustrated performers is about as far aways from the "disney model" as it can get. i never worked at disney, but i did work at a performing amusement park in my college years and the action behind the scenes makes housewives of new jersey look like a disney cartoon. :lol2:

i don't think hospitals really want that model....but....oh well! i guess they'll live and learn..... :smokin:

can you imagine being a family member and you are being told that your son has died a tragic horrific death in a fiery car accident by snow white??? :barf02: . or politely asking a gang member to remain please seated and put down his knife, that they aren't being very polite?:smackingf yup! i'll sign up for that one....... :uhoh3:

belgarion · Sep 27, 2011

There is a family owned grocery store chain in Texas that requires employees to smile at all times. I won't go in one. It's really creepy to see a fake smile pasted on everyone's face.

There are ways to deal with Gloomy Gus without creating a policy that requires all employees to morph into Pollyanna the moment they clock in. As someone said, how can you quantify a person's level of happiness or enthusiasm? Do you measure the size of the smile on their face or the quality of thier work? Do you want nurses who act like they are are perpetually on Ecstasy or who have solid relationships with patients and coworkers even though they don't always grin from ear to ear or sing a happy song? And just who is going to determine who is happy and enthusiastic? Is there going to be a "happy commitee" that wanders the halls looking for sour expressions or dragging footsteps?

A policy like this creates more questions than answers. The sour pusses and wet blankets can be dealt with on an individual basis without adding new, highly subjective policies to a manual that is already bursting at the seams.

rn/writer, RN · Sep 27, 2011

I remember a thread a while back in which a member got dinged in some fashion for smiling too much!

Next thing you know they'll trot out the page of emotion faces used in psych to help patients determine how they are feeling. Out of about 25 faces only a handful will be acceptable.

Yeesh.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Sep 27, 2011

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?

This is like being sent to your room for bad behavior.........oh, puh-LEEEEEEEEZE. :uhoh3: Sounds like just the latest insult in the trend toward infantilizing nurses. What's next, milk and graham crackers and a nap?

Oh, wait, maybe that would be a GOOD thing...