Blurring the Line With Subordinates

[bluegeegoo2, LPN]

Have any of you witnessed someone blurring that line between supervisor and floor staff? Have you done it yourself? If so, what was the eventual outcome?

I am curious about that as there is a situation where I work that those lines have not only been blurred, they seem to have evaporated altogether. A nurse was hired that worked in the facility before as a CNA, then eventually as a med aide. It is my understanding that she quit d/t having been so difficult to work with she was moved to different units/shifts to the point that the only other move was out the door, so she opted out before being termed. She went to school, became a nurse and was rehired. (By a different HR, for the record.)

My UM was a floor nurse at that time, and this person was her med aide. They were pretty tight back then from what they have both said, and it seems that has not changed.

The problem? This nurse has had many, many complaints from A/O residents, staff, and family members about how she treats them. Rude, demanding, intimidating, hostile are words used to describe the behavior. I have witnessed some of these behaviors myself and have had many reported to me and other staff. When we report to the UM, she defends this person to the point that it's absolutely useless to bring anything up. She has been reported to HR, the DON, and even the administrator but the UM goes to bat for her every time regardless of the complaint. I myself have been told "You'll get used to it." (Referring to how she talks to people.) And, "Well that's just "Sally"." ???

This person doesn't allow residents to make a decision for themselves, telling them they "are GONNA get out of bed" or "You WILL take a shower today" etc. I overheard her assisting a resident to bed who clearly did not want to go to bed a.e.b. her yelling, kicking and screaming "I don't want to go to bed!" over and over while this nurse was telling her loudly "You need to go to bed!" It was reported, but well, you know.

But I digress. The point is, I feel greatly that the friendship and history between this nurse and my UM is creating a hostile environment for my residents, staff and families. Families are asking why is she allowed to act like that? Why isn't anyone doing anything? Most of the staff that was on the unit/shift when she started have already moved on while some residents and family members are looking for another facility or at least another unit. I'm in line to do the same. It's a lost cause here.

I really don't know what I'm looking for here other than to just get some of this aggravation out and to see if others have experienced the same thing and how it turned out. It really makes me sad to leave my residents, but my conscience won't allow me to keep quiet and it's obvious I'm banging my head against a wall so I'll leave the "dead horse" alone and be on my way. I just hope for my residents sake that there will be resolution soon.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

Your management has mistaken her alpha dog bullying personality for leadership skills. They may even be grooming her for a middle management position. They are endorsing her rude behavior and there is nothing you can do.

It is interesting how just one of these people can change the

entire culture of what was a congenial workplace in a few weeks time.

It gets to a point when you either confront ms alpha dog every day, say nothing and experience internal conflict every day or say I can not be a part of this hostile disrespectful culture anymore and resign.

In one extreme situation I told a patients who experienced verbal abuse and to file a complaint with the CMS. The abusive individual left shortly after.

[bluegeegoo2, LPN]

Your management has mistaken her alpha dog bullying personality for leadership skills. They may even be grooming her for a middle management position. They are endorsing her rude behavior and there is nothing you can do.

It is interesting how just one of these people can change the

entire culture of what was a congenial workplace in a few weeks time.

It gets to a point when you either confront ms alpha dog every day, say nothing and experience internal conflict every day or say I can not be a part of this hostile disrespectful culture anymore and resign.

In one extreme situation I told a patients who experienced verbal abuse and to file a complaint with the CMS. The abusive individual left shortly after.

You have hit the nail square on the head. That is EXACTLY what is going on. And, interestingly, exactly how I feel. I have that internal conflict, even though I have confronted her personally about her behavior. I have also been made out the be "the bad guy" for advocating for my residents and attempting to stand up for my CNA's. And you are correct: There isn't a thing I can do about it. I tried, and became the enemy. "Not a team player." Well, no, I want no part of that team so have requested and was granted a transfer. (Surprise!)

I just hope she doesn't do too much more damage on the unit before either being moved along or leaving voluntarily. Time will tell.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

We have someone like this in the outpatient day program where I work. It's a partial psych program but we also have recovering addicts and developmental disabilities if they have a psych issue alongside.

She is just rough. I live in the northeast, where we culturally are a little more rough, but I do think she takes it too far sometimes, and the clients should have choices.

I never liked her.

I had a client who was extremely withdrawn, to the point of sitting in a chair with his arms and legs folded, head down for hours. I knew him and he wasn't always this way, he could be active and participate. It went on for weeks with me gently coaxing, going through my bag of tricks to get him out of his shell. Could not motivate him at all. She came in one day and raised her voice, and said very sternly you will get out of this chair and participate today. She basically barked and nagged at him during my group (during the physical exercises) until he participated. It was not my way of doing things, but it was totally necessary that he start participating in something, because he was looking at another hospitalization if he couldn't make any progress. Basically, what she did worked.

I saw her differently after that. I understood what the director sees in her and I noticed that the director speaks to her very sternly also, much more sternly than she speaks to me. I think the director is playing off her strengths. If everyone was like me, The folks who need a heavier hand would not get it. If everyone was like her, The folks who need a gentler approach would not get it.

I still think my way is better in general, and sometimes I still see situations where I think she is applying way more force than is ideal and butting her nose into stuff she shouldn't. But I see that she cares, She works hard, and is doing her best, and that she offers something I really can't, because it is completely against my nature.

Not sure if you can get to this point with your co worker. But it's worth thinking about whether or not this employee offers something to the patients. I think it's likely that the boss thinks so. I know you said they are friends, but they met in a professional way. Maybe the boss appreciates what this employee has to offer and thinks her methods have a place. Maybe there are patients that would never take a shower unless someone is willing to get very bossy and stern with them. Think about it. If you decide that she really is just mean and there's no method to her madness, then I think it's a good idea to leave.

Good luck to you.