Advice

Farawyn · Jan 17, 2015

This was an issue when I worked nights, some 20 years ago. Is management there in the evening when the night shift is due to arrive? Are there punch ins, or a time clock?

I don't think bringing it up in front of everyone at the staff meeting was the best thing to do on your part. You told your manager- she should have brought it up.

That being said, the other nurse has NO RIGHT to come at you, and no way should you feel threatened at work. Go to HR.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 17, 2015

I'm sorry, but your consistent use of nightshirt nurses instead of nightshift cracked me up. I kept envisioning the night nurses straggling in wearing their nightshirts, with sleep in their eyes and bedheads.

I'm guessing that autocorrect is to blame:yes:

marienk · Jan 17, 2015

Lol it is......they should come in their nightshirts because that's another problem some sleep at night....smh

Farawyn we have timesheets...no timeclock and at night at shift change no supervisors are there.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2015

If there are certain oncoming nurses who are consistently late, and giving them report puts you into overtime, just put a note on your timesheet, stayed late to give report to nightshift RN who came in late. Don't say a word to anyone. It is not your job to police others for tardiness. Wait a week and the management will start paying attention when they review the timesheets, which also go to HR, and counsel those persons.

I did this and the crazy woman actually called me from her car while driving to get report so that she wouldn't be counseled again. I said: I'll see you when you get here. Then she tried to rush me through report when she arrived at 7:15. I repeat don't be confrontational, just charge for overtime and the issue will be handled by management.

Libby1987 · Jan 17, 2015

Horse's out of the barn now but I'd be direct going forward, if she tried to bully me, not only would I report her to mgmt but I'd tell her straight up I was done waiting on her dragging her *** in late. But don't exaggerate or give anyone room to argue. And make sure your ship always is tight because others alienated in that meeting might be looking to reciprocate.

ICURN3020 · Jan 17, 2015

I'm sorry, but your consistent use of nightshirt nurses instead of nightshift cracked me up. I kept envisioning the night nurses straggling in wearing their nightshirts, with sleep in their eyes and bedheads.
I'm guessing that autocorrect is to blame:yes:

I read the entire OP and didn't even notice that! It is funny now that you mention it

ICURN3020 · Jan 17, 2015

I agree that this matter is better left for management to bring up in a meeting, but what's done is done.

From what you describe, it sounds to me like she was behaving in a threatening manner. Pretty stupid move on her part considering all the witnesses. I would immediately report this to HR and the manager/supervisor.

She may have perceived you (your comment about tardiness) as a threat to her job. There are some disturbed people out there so just keep your distance from her and if things escalate (you find your tires slashed, etc) take it seriously. I would be afraid of her honestly, as most normal, mature, level-headed adults wouldn't react the way she did.

Gooselady, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2015

Regardless -- that was threatening behavior and needs to be reported to HR. A person that unstable as to lose it and call you a nasty name and be escorted out of the room is a dangerous person. Check your tires before you take off in the morning

I would resign from a position where this was not dealt with swiftly and seriously. For my own personal safety. Maybe not because I was afraid the nurse would beat me up, but more globally, a facility that does NOT take threatening behavior seriously is a dangerous place to work in general. Good luck Always look out for Number One and never expect from even the loveliest facility and staff that they'll 'look out for you' themselves, instead.

Libby1987 · Jan 17, 2015

Oh yeah, about being escorted out of the room, (holy cow!) what do mean? Asked to leave and dragged out or what?

amoLucia · Jan 18, 2015

Couple of things - have you started the paper trail with comprehensive details? Definitely needed to bolster your timeline & approach.

Are you being paid for any overtime? You should be if there IS any. I would offer this as incentive for management to become involved appropriately. Likewise, it could provide ammunition for challenging the offenders' timesheets (curious what they put down as start time).

Can you go through Human Resources AFTER you've gone thru your nsg admin? Have all your documentation in order.

What is the title HSA??? I know of one in NJ and it's a civil service position. If this is really a super bad occurance, might you be able to go thru the union (guessing that you're civil service and union).

If you are civil service, I don't know if I'd be wanting to give up my position with its seniority and other benefits.

But OPs have brought up good points that this chronic and wide-spread behavior needs to be addressed, esp the intimidation.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2015

The example of tardiness that I mentioned overdosed on iv dilaudid in the bathroom of lobby of the hospital. Chronic lateness is a big red flag of addiction and chasing the dragon. Nothing else matters.