Bullying by the DON

[Lele]

Hello, I am an infection prevention and control nurse within a LTC facility. I'm getting bullied by the DON and her clique (literal clique, she has hired all her high school friends and family). I am being bullied because I have stood up for what is morally right, while the DON wants to do what's easiest. For example, we had a scabies outbreak when I first started. We had an outside derm dx for it and one of the rounding providers dx. The DON on more than one occasion announced at meetings that it's not real, she doesn't know where it came from, etc. this has publicly humiliated me on more than one occasion. She has done the same thing with RSV and Covid outbreaks. I am doing what is clinically correct. It may not be the easiest choice or most popular, but it is the right thing to do. Now- I am bullied regularly by her clique. It's not always overt. There is a lot of eye rolling, glaring, withholding information, excluding, and other non-verbal messages. 
I had my fill the other day and told the administrator that I don't think I'm a good fit for the culture. He has begged me to stay and assured me he's going to try to fix the culture. I fear retaliation now. I have all of the floor staffs support and some management support. The DON is a manipulator and has gotten away with bullying so many people that I am very worried about my job. My peers and floor staff have given me support by telling me I'm not alone and that they are treated the same way. Floor staff and other management has stated they have reported incidents too and nothing happens. I'm constantly stressed at work, can't sleep the night before, can't focus, etc. at this point, it seems like I need to find another job. It's discouraging to know that many people have reported her and she still persists. What should I do? Start looking at other options? I'm bummed because I love the floor staff and what I do. The administration and corporate tells me I'm doing an amazing job. I just can't grow thicker skin and tolerate the bullying. Please help! 

[BlueSandBeach, RN]

If this cancer of a woman, who not only runs free to bully has now coerced others into signing some fit test that never occurred, what else may she coerce them into signing into stay off her torture list and keep their own jobs safe? 

Someone, somewhere, has put her into this position of authority and either likes what she does or is at least OK with all of it, for reasons none of us will ever know. This kind of bad is never an accident. Not in nursing. Not anywhere.

You're not losing, being defeated, or giving up or anything negative by going.

You're winning. Because you're going to somewhere where your level of dedication and integrity will matter and make a difference. That isn't going to happen where you are now. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with what's not in your control. Go somewhere else, quick. The faster you get there the sooner you'll be making a difference.

IMO.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lele, ASN]

Another update that will blow everyone's mind...the same nurse who falsified OSHA fit testing, used a pink highlighter to falsify a COVID test. I reported it and she is still here. I have asked for a transfer to another facility but was told since I'm under 6 months that it will be considered quitting and starting new. 

[JKL33]

Nurse Beth said:

Re: the administrator- talk is cheap. Keep your head down and start looking for another job.

^ This.

And to the OP, don't assume that said talk is even sincere in the first place! People in this position are often quite expert at using (and even creating) chaos to serve organizational needs. In this case, this administrator has (what would appear to outsiders to be) a bona fide infection prevention program for the facility--something that patients/families, corporate officers and likely regulators would expect and require--while not having to go to the trouble and expense of actually conducting things according to evidence-based recommendations, laws, etc.--because they also just so happen to employ an obstructionist bully who does the dirty work that saves money and protects their reputation.

This obstructive DON bully could be fired with likely zero legal repercussion to your organization if your administrator really wanted things to change. And could be replaced in a heartbeat. That's how you know that things are basically the way the administrator wants them to be.

 

[BlueSandBeach, RN]

JKL33 said:

^ This.

And to the OP, don't assume that said talk is even sincere in the first place! People in this position are often quite expert at using (and even creating) chaos to serve organizational needs. In this case, this administrator has (what would appear to outsiders to be) a bona fide infection prevention program for the facility--something that patients/families, corporate officers and likely regulators would expect and require--while not having to go to the trouble and expense of actually conducting things according to evidence-based recommendations, laws, etc.--because they also just so happen to employ an obstructionist bully who does the dirty work that saves money and protects their reputation.

This obstructive DON bully could be fired with likely zero legal repercussion to your organization if your administrator really wanted things to change. And could be replaced in a heartbeat. That's how you know that things are basically the way the administrator wants them to be.

 

I 100% agree.  Or who even knows, they could be old time friends. They could know each other's secrets. There's some kind of reason this place is so dysfunctional, and it's not good. OP I wish you'd get the heck out of there and go somewhere your diligence is appreciated. 

[Crystal-Wings, LVN]

Sounds like the dumb *** that is my DON. I won't air my grievances here, but let me just tell you I feel and understand your pain. It boggles my mind how some of these people end up in management. I know the type. Typically, they like to pass on their responsibilities to someone else and are dishonest and lack professionalism.