Charge nurse unnecessary comments

[thevez]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to this website but has been a lurker for awhile.

My questions is:

How do I deal with a charge nurse who gives unneccessary comments if I make mistakes or if I ask her "too many" questions because I am a new nurse in the hospital?

Comments like:

If I made mistakes she would say "what do I do with you?" and when I ask her more than 5 questionsin one shift she would say " that's it. You have reached your limit with questions for the day."

I am offended by these comments and I have found that this has been hindering my ability to learn more.

[I love my cat!]

Flattery often helps....a lot!

She says, "What am I going to do with you!" and you reply, "Hopefully keep me around because I'm learning so much from you and become a better Nurse". When she says you've maxed out your questions for the day, maybe say something like, "I appreciate all of the answers. At my old job, I had a Manager who never answered any questions and it was so difficult for everybody".

Honestly, if she was really that upset with you she'd be writing you up.

[thevez]

I'm done with orientation. I don't really ask so many questions.Like what someone said, I think I'm just thinking too deep into it. I need to chillax a bit.

[thevez]

Flattery often helps....a lot!

She says, "What am I going to do with you!" and you reply, "Hopefully keep me around because I'm learning so much from you and become a better Nurse". When she says you've maxed out your questions for the day, maybe say something like, "I appreciate all of the answers. At my old job, I had a Manager who never answered any questions and it was so difficult for everybody".

Honestly, if she was really that upset with you she'd be writing you up.

I really have to think about how to respond when she says those things to me so it can come out as positives instead of the other way around. What does writing up means?

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

Yet anything amusing autocorrect (it has happened to it all). My emphasis.

Ha ha! You are correct. I have corrected my post. As noted below, the cat loves to interfere with my iPad and computer. I am often posting around his head!

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

How about, "please don't make fun, I need your support. I have to check with my coworkers because I'm new." Also, better for her (and you) that you ask every dumb question rather than make one dumb mistake. If the questions are really dumb they should be easy to answer.

[ponymom]

Ha ha! You are correct. I have corrected my post. As noted below, the cat loves to interfere with my iPad and computer. I am often posting around his head!

I post around my cat's head, paws and tail LOL

[firstinfamily, RN]

When I have been bombarded by questions from younger less experienced staff I would eventually say, "OK, this is your last question for today etc." and laugh, I wanted them to be able to research the question themselves and to learn how to function independently. I did check in with them throughout the day to make sure things were going OK for them. So, I did give them the opportunity to ask me things or let me know if they needed help etc, but I also limited them at the same time. The charge nurse has to keep everything functioning smoothly and it could be there are more pressing things going on that she needs to concentrate on. I don't think she means to refuse you any answers, I think she just wants to make sure you are looking at things and trying to answer your own questions first. Also, if you have thought things through and you are still not sure, it would be better for you to ask her than make some mistake. She/He is suppose to be a mentor to you, so I hope she will fulfill this role without making you feel incompetent. I think as long as you are trying, she will see this.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Again, try to find the answer to the question for yourself before you ask another nurse. This makes a huge difference. It's the difference between asking others to do the work for you and you taking the initiative to be a thinking nurse.

As far as "What am I going to do with you" with a deadpan mannerism, I wouldn't take it to heart. I agree with your coworkers that you're taking it too seriously.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I guess I see it differently, I'm not used to someone telling me that as I'm also a professional myself and those type of words just offends me saying, "what am I going to do with you" = "why are you not getting it?" especially in a monotonous tone and a poker face. It's all about the difference. Thank you for responding.

In a monotone voice answer "get me a tiara, maybe a cookie?" or "sigh. I guess we are stuck with each other at present...." It sounds as if the person is, in fact, joking. And has a dry sense of humor. I really would see if instead of answering your question directly, that the person precepting or orienting you can direct you to the tools you need to look it up, ask the other disciplines....

You know what you know, but what you don't know you need to know where to find the answer.

Best wishes

[morte, LPN, LVN]

i think either phrase needs to used only when you know your audience. I, too, would find them at least mildly offensive from some one in power over me.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I'm done with orientation. I don't really ask so many questions.Like what someone said, I think I'm just thinking too deep into it. I need to chillax a bit.[/quote

I realize you are anxious. That leads to increased sensitivity.

Realize that the charge nurse is also anxious ... and overwhelmed.

As charge nurse, I had a LOT on my plate. Most of the time I could handle it, we all have a breaking point. I found myself using similar phrases when I was trying to encourage a colleague to "think for themselves"

Also.. have you spread out your questions among the team.. or do you direct them all to the charge nurse?

[thevez]

I'm done with orientation. I don't really ask so many questions.Like what someone said, I think I'm just thinking too deep into it. I need to chillax a bit.[/quote

I realize you are anxious. That leads to increased sensitivity.

Realize that the charge nurse is also anxious ... and overwhelmed.

As charge nurse, I had a LOT on my plate. Most of the time I could handle it, we all have a breaking point. I found myself using similar phrases when I was trying to encourage a colleague to "think for themselves"

Also.. have you spread out your questions among the team.. or do you direct them all to the charge nurse?

Sometimes I ask other