I have an issue and I am in need of feedback on how to handle it in a constructive, professional way. I am a six-year RN, with a bachelors degree. I have worked in the hospital atmosphere in cardio, special procedures, have been a Summer camp nurse, wellness nurse, and an RN supervisor in home care, which I left to accept a position in a dementia/Alzheimer's independent living home. There are no skilled nursing task, just med pass, keep the residence safe, and offer guidance and compassion......easy for me because that's my forte. From day one of my start date things were a hot mess. The nurse manager that hired me was leaving the facility .........she hired me on as a staff nurse and the staff nurse I was replacing was going to become nurse manager. This new nurse manager was to train me. From day one of my training she has tried to sabotage me, first, by not giving me the proper training; 4 hours, that's hardly training. She has verbalized many times that she regrets giving up her job (that I now have) and accepting the position of the nurse manager. I took this job because it's a Monday-Thursday from 6 AM to 2 PM..I am ready for a more relaxed job with decent hours because I am 52 years old and will be retiring in 10 years. I forgot to mention that this nurse mgr is a 2 yr nurse and is a new grad of 6 mos. yesterday the administrator called me and asked me if I would be interested in this nurses position, as the nurse mgr, she said because I have the degree and experience for it and because this nurse has a nasty disposition and the new administrator that is coming in next week is not going to like her......... oh and btw she would like her position that I now have back. I declined the position because I don't want to work five days a week from 8 to 5 with a ton of responsibility plus weekend call .......I don't care how much more money it is. I had that position at my previous employment and even took a $4 an hour cut in pay to take this job. To me it's not about the $ but peace of mind and low stress. So i just know this new nurse, who is now nurse mgr is going to make my life a living hell ......she's already tried to point out every mistake and has tried to get me fired and I have only been there one week. She desperately wants her old position back. I'm not just gonna sit back and let this happen especially from a novice nurse. How can I handle this in professional manner? I'm new so I don't want to rock the boat but I am not going to walk away jobless at the age of 52....especially after have given up my previous job making more money.
It sounds like some very poor decisions have been made at the administrative and managerial levels in this facility. The nurse manager seems to think she made a big mistake accepting a promotion and is now trying to turn back the clock.
Your documentation will be your saving grace if the nurse manager is hunting for grounds to fire you. Be polite, professional, and careful. It also wouldn't hurt to see if there are other jobs available with similar hours at a less dysfunctional facility.
The nurse manager that hired me was leaving the facility .........she hired me on as a staff nurse and the staff nurse I was replacing was going to become nurse manager. This new nurse manager was to train me.
I forgot to mention that this nurse mgr is a 2 yr nurse and is a new grad of 6 mos.
She has only been at this facility 3 mos.
After reading your post I don't think that the difficulties you're currently experiencing with your nurse manager is your biggest problem. What kind of facility promotes a very recent graduate with three months (!) experience in said facility to a management position? In my opinion they are setting her up to fail.
I have only been there one week.
yesterday the administrator called me and asked me if I would be interested in this nurses position, as the nurse mgr, she said because I have the degree and experience for it and because this nurse has a nasty disposition and the new administrator that is coming in next week is not going to like her.........
This sounds like a dysfunctional facility all around. The administrator calls and tells you, an new employee who only started a week ago, that your manager has a nasty disposition!! This is extremely unprofessional.
If the manager says things like that behind your nurse managers' back, what does he/she and others say about you behind your back? The workplace culture seems rotten. And now they're hiring a new administrator? Staff turnover seems high.
I think that if I were you I'd just for the time being keep doing the job I was hired for well (since it is the position you are interested in), and continue to decline the offer of a promotion. If how the facility is managed doesn't improve significantly, I would most likely make searching for another position at a different facility a priority.
I have already met some new nurses with big heads in my short career. Unfortunately some RNs in nursing homes think they are the end all be all just because they have the title RN next to their name (no matter what their degree ASN or BSN). Something about working with LPNs gives them a superiority complex. Very annoying. I'd stop worrying about her. She'll take care of herself with her bad attitude. Shoot, I might just jump on the band wagon and say "I think she's a good fit for the position" and let her hang herself. Just keep doing what you're doing and say "I'm sorry I'm really not interested in that position. I like the position I have now" and let it be their problem.
You are experiencing a "Hostile Work Environment." There are US labor laws that address this and it's not only unpleasant, it is illegal. Document carefully and work through management (obviously not your persecutor). Most administrators would rather eliminate the problem (perhaps fire the problem person) than deal with the repercussions of such a complaint.
Wow. Just wow. Can you leave? That seems easiest! You have experience, and years of it elsewhere so having one short job won't kill you.
I left a hostile work environment. Never looked back. Served me well. I had to explain it away when I interviewed for my current position but I've been with my current employer for over 3 years so it's balanced out.
I dont don't feel six mos renders exp, unless you're in the counties where the movie "Deliverance" took place. She has only been at this facility 3 mos.
Sorry, I did not mean to imply that this particular person was qualified to manage. I was only responding to the post containing the blanket statement doubting that any ASN could be in a management position. My ASN program absolutely contained management classes.
Sorry, I did not mean to imply that this particular person was qualified to manage. I was only responding to the post containing the blanket statement doubting that any ASN could be in a management position. My ASN program absolutely contained management classes.
Meanwhile, back to the thread...
Agree with your point. I "only" have an ASN. My BA is in Psych. I've worked as NM and I've been offered plenty of positions as NM based on my experience.
Tough situation, and I wish you the best. I totally agree with the 'it's not about the money, it's about lower stress' at this point. I've got to work on that myself this year...
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
OP, is there any way you could sit down with your nurse manager and administrator and work something out for mutual benefit? She's in over her head, you're in over your head, the admin has a hot mess on her hands. Can you rearrange duties and hours so that you can still work the schedule you want, but help the NM with some things? In exchange for her not seeing you as the enemy, and having your back instead of stabbing it?
It seems if all three of you could get on the same page, everyone's stress level would go way down. And everyone has to observe ground rules about professional behaviour and presenting a united front.
I don't work there, so only you know if this is pie in the sky, or even worth a shot. Good luck, whatever you end up doing.
Specializes in ED, Telemetry,Hospice, ICU, Supervisor.
In the area where I live, many associate degree nurses serve as directors of nursing, unit managers, and assistant directors of nursing services.
In addition, many LPNs/LVNs serve as assistant DONs, directors of wellness, staff development coordinators, and unit managers in the post-acute setting.
Be careful of what you say, there are some in the nursing community that do not like the idea of having an Associate prepared nurse serve as a manager or director. Many academic faculty I have worked with in the past try to keep "lower" degree holders out of "leadership" positions. This is due to the idea that the more education and more letters you have in terms of education, the more prepared they are for directorship and management.
I never liked the way these types would shun associates nurses like me when I started out. I had to play their game by their rules to get anywhere in the organization. I do not believe just because someone holds a masters in leadership, that they can actually lead and inspire groups of people to work as one cohesive unit. There is a lot more to leadership than what is on paper.
Be careful of what you say, there are some in the nursing community that do not like the idea of having an Associate prepared nurse serve as a manager or director. Many academic faculty I have worked with in the past try to keep "lower" degree holders out of "leadership" positions. This is due to the idea that the more education and more letters you have in terms of education, the more prepared they are for directorship and management.
This is how my job is. ASN/ADN nurses are not even allowed to apply for clinical unit leader positions or manager positions - they don't meet the minimum qualifications, regardless of how many years of experience they have. They will hire BSNs in a pinch, but MSNs are preferred. My hospital is not associated with a university, for the record.
It is interesting how different things are in different parts of the country.
Double-Helix, BSN, RN
3,377 Posts
It sounds like some very poor decisions have been made at the administrative and managerial levels in this facility. The nurse manager seems to think she made a big mistake accepting a promotion and is now trying to turn back the clock.
Your documentation will be your saving grace if the nurse manager is hunting for grounds to fire you. Be polite, professional, and careful. It also wouldn't hurt to see if there are other jobs available with similar hours at a less dysfunctional facility.