Did I Handle This OK?

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Hi all. I need your wisdom (and maybe a little TLC :scrying: ) The story is this: On my last shift the supervisor came in twenty minutes late, so report was delayed. This is SUCH a common occurance that we throw parties when supervisors are actually on time. (Ok, I'm a regular smart a$$, and that's what started the problem). Really, truly, I could care less if they're late. That's their issue, not mine. So, supervisor is late, and as supervisor walks through the door another nurse and I were making smart a$$ comments about the tardiness issue. It was bad timing, and supervisor hears us and yells at me "Mind your own fu%king business!" as all of us are sitting in report. Other nasty things were spouted out, but I was SOOO shocked that I only heard the first one. Now when I get mad, I tend to cry, which I HATE. So here I am sitting in report trying really hard not to cry, and feeling like I'd just been attacked by a pit bull. Later, I pulled aside said supervisor and apologized for my smart aleck remark, stating I didn't mean any harm by it, and I wouldn't do it again. Then I said "But please don't ever talk to me like that again." I know I screwed up and deserved some talking-to, but in that manner? Supervisor tried to tell me that it's no big deal about what was said on supervisor's part as it's been said to other nurses before. I just stood my ground and repeated "Don't ever talk to me like that again." Did I overreact? Did I do everything I should have? I felt totally humiliated in front of my coworkers and really dread going to work. Thanks for listening.

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you were well within your rights to ask her not to talk to you like that.

my question is, what will you do if she does it again?

obviously other nurses take this from her.

it would lessen the chances of repeat behavior being tolerated if no one took this from her.

i would keep your relationship civil but remote;

and that you will be filing a complaint the next time it happens.

leslie

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

1-supervisor shouldn't be late [why is she always late ?]

2-supervisor shouldn't yell

3-supervisor should not talk potty mouth

are you sure she meant it just at you or at everybody ?

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No, it was directed at me because I was the one talking when the supervisor entered the room. And supervisor was yelling in my face when supervisor sat by me.

Yes, I will file a complaint if that happens again. Should I tell supervisor that, or should I just leave it for now? I'm inclined to leave it for now, but....

At our hospital most of the supervisors are constantly late. I don't know why. I suppose it's because they don't plan to leave early enough for work and there's been no consequences given when they are late.

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Specializes in ER/ ICU.

You absolutely did the right thing. I would not tolerate it either. Good for you.

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Specializes in critical care.

Supervisors should be leading by example. You did the right thing by speaking up. If it happens again make sure you report her.:pumpiron:

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.

Supervisors should be held accountable for their lateness and disciplined just as you would be. Keep a log of the dates and times when she is late. Report this to HER supervisor if she talks like that again. A supervisor has no right to speak to her employees llike that.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Good job.

I don't like profanity like that either from a supervisor. The other nurses might not mind, but she should respect your wishes and leave it at that.

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Thanks, you guys! Boy, I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't count on you all! :cheers:

As for keeping track of other people's tardies.....that's just not my style. Not that it's a bad suggestion, I just don't feel comfortable doing it.

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Just as you were humiliated by what she said, she was probably also embarassed by what you said first. However, this doesn't give her the right to use profanity with you or any other nurse. Good for you for apologizing for what you said and for standing up to her about her behavior. We're told at our hospital we don't have to take that kind of behavior from a patient or a doctor and I'm sure we wouldn't have to take it from another nurse, even though she may be a supervisor. We were told if it does happen with a doctor to write them up and I'm sure they'd expect the same with a nursing supervisor or any other employee within the hospital.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

Although you shouldnt have any comments about the supervisor being late i understand your frustration when you have to wait on someone who cant get where they are supposed to be on time.

The supervisor should be an example to the staff she has charge of and the use of that wording is completely out of line for a supervisor. She needs to shore up her practice and rememeber she is supposed set the example.

You did exactly what you should have. If she can spout that kind of stuff you probly did more than you needed to by appologizing. Did she?? Probly not.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

You were right to ask her not to talk to you like that.She is unprofessional in many ways. The way she showed up late and the way she talked to you.

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