I just recently started working as a tech in the ER, and for the most part, it has been an amazing experience. I was a CNA in a hospital for almost 3 years, but after getting accepted into an RN program, I wanted to learn a little more and be exposed to different things. Techs in the ER can do so much more than CNAs on the floor. Techs can draw labs, do EKGs, foleys, straight caths, splints, wound care -a whole lot more than assisting with ADLs and vitals! So far it's been a great experience and I've learned a lot in the month that I've been working there.
However, one of the managers told me today that some staff had been complaining about me and it totally blew me away (mind you, I've only been there about a month). I was in shock. I am a hard worker, and on my last unit I received excellent employee/manager reviews. I am a shy person by nature and so I feel like some of the night staff thinks I'm a mean person and don't speak to anyone because they feel as if I think I have some chip on my shoulder, and that couldn't be further from the truth. When I'm working, all the staff is nice to me, and I'm always offering help; and so to be told today that there are people complaining about me to leadership is surprising.
I am a hard worker and a great team player, and so for people to even to make assumptions about me and go to leadership instead of myself is offensive. This conversation between management and myself shouldn't have even happened. It should have been myself and the individuals directly. Do people not understand what kind of jeopardy you put someone in by complaining to management about them? The times have been rare, but I have always spoken to people directly about issues, and we resolve them together. I'm surprised that these individuals can smile to my face, and act like everything is okay, but complain about me behind my back.
Like I said, in all my previous work history, I've never been reprimanded or even spoken to about my work ethic. This was totally embarrassing for me. I feel like the individuals that complained just don't know me well enough, and if they would have gotten to know me, they would see I am a great worker and team player.
Now I'm feeling like I made a mistake coming to the ER. I don't know what to change to where these people would like me. I do my job, and I help others. I even help housekeeping clean beds and rooms, so I help all areas of the team. I am just worried that the complaints will continue to come and it won't end well for me.
And when you try to be "proactive" it will just so happen that you ask too many questions at too much wrong times, make too many suggestions, know too much or too little or just do about 1.376 too much of breath per minute. And so you will be terminated as a "poor fit for the unit".
Been there, done that. One more attempt will probably not hurt but one more "complain" like the mentioned above should provoke thoughts about getting the heck out of there.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Hello, AllNurses!
I just recently started working as a tech in the ER, and for the most part, it has been an amazing experience. I was a CNA in a hospital for almost 3 years, but after getting accepted into an RN program, I wanted to learn a little more and be exposed to different things. Techs in the ER can do so much more than CNAs on the floor. Techs can draw labs, do EKGs, foleys, straight caths, splints, wound care -a whole lot more than assisting with ADLs and vitals! So far it's been a great experience and I've learned a lot in the month that I've been working there.
However, one of the managers told me today that some staff had been complaining about me and it totally blew me away (mind you, I've only been there about a month). I was in shock. I am a hard worker, and on my last unit I received excellent employee/manager reviews. I am a shy person by nature and so I feel like some of the night staff thinks I'm a mean person and don't speak to anyone because they feel as if I think I have some chip on my shoulder, and that couldn't be further from the truth. When I'm working, all the staff is nice to me, and I'm always offering help; and so to be told today that there are people complaining about me to leadership is surprising.
I am a hard worker and a great team player, and so for people to even to make assumptions about me and go to leadership instead of myself is offensive. This conversation between management and myself shouldn't have even happened. It should have been myself and the individuals directly. Do people not understand what kind of jeopardy you put someone in by complaining to management about them? The times have been rare, but I have always spoken to people directly about issues, and we resolve them together. I'm surprised that these individuals can smile to my face, and act like everything is okay, but complain about me behind my back.
Like I said, in all my previous work history, I've never been reprimanded or even spoken to about my work ethic. This was totally embarrassing for me. I feel like the individuals that complained just don't know me well enough, and if they would have gotten to know me, they would see I am a great worker and team player.
Now I'm feeling like I made a mistake coming to the ER. I don't know what to change to where these people would like me. I do my job, and I help others. I even help housekeeping clean beds and rooms, so I help all areas of the team. I am just worried that the complaints will continue to come and it won't end well for me.
Any suggestions on how to deal with this?
Thanks in advance.
In order for others to perceive you as a great team player, they have to perceive you as part of the team. And that means they have to know you. If you're not talking to anyone, they don't know you. I understand about being shy -- I am too. But you have to be friendly and approachable. That means saying "Hi, how are you?" to people you don't know very well. It means asking about the kids when you really don't give a hoot and being able to chat about the weather (or other safe topics) when you have a couple of seconds of downtime.
"Offering help" is all well and good -- but if you're not offering the right help at the right time, it isn't really offering. "Do you need any help?" as you're passing by doesn't really count. It's not concrete, it doesn't suggest a task you're able and willing to handle to someone who is too frazzled to come up with specific help that they need. "I'm walking to the lab -- do you need anything in that direction?" is both concrete and easily answerable. If everyone gets labs at midnight (or any other specific time), it can be timely as well. "I put your patient in 8 on the bedpan -- do you need a urine sample?" "You look busy -- can I draw some labs for you?"
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
Ugh! Sorry you are going through this! I agree with the PPs suggestion to genuinely ask your supervisor "how can I be more proactive?" When she gives a response, repeat back to her your understanding with clear examples. If this is a fair work environment not run by bullies, then as long as you make effort to make nice, and follow your supervisors suggestions, this should pass.
However, I did experience a similar situation as an Lvn. I was told by my supervisor that people were concerned about my not being "approachable" I asked for a specific example of even 1 time in which I'd ignored someone's concerns and my supervisor would not be specific and wouldn't even provide examples-but tried to write me up. 😡
I figured out who it likely was and made arrangements to secure alternative means of supporting myself because no way was I going to be written up over vague complaints about a month after a stellar performance review.
In hindsight, I can see now how my decisions to do things "correctly" offended people. I should have made nice better and took notes on behavior id observed.
KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN
1 Article; 2,675 Posts
And when you try to be "proactive" it will just so happen that you ask too many questions at too much wrong times, make too many suggestions, know too much or too little or just do about 1.376 too much of breath per minute. And so you will be terminated as a "poor fit for the unit".
Been there, done that. One more attempt will probably not hurt but one more "complain" like the mentioned above should provoke thoughts about getting the heck out of there.