I'm a relatively new DNS, but I've been a nurse for 25 years and have had every nursing job there is to have in LTC and then some. How do all y'all deal with disrespectful staff? I don't mind a spirited discussion but I am mighty tired of nurses saying "How do YOU know?" Mind you I've been a nurse longer than they've been on the planet. They complain about everything, feel 'entitled' as new nurses, and are so rude it's unbelievable. One of them today was complaining and said she was over worked because she had 33 patients on a 2p-10p shift. I explained to her that she had no sick people, no IVs, no trachs, no dressings...she said 'Why don't YOU try it'. I told her that I had worked on a true sub acute floor and had 30 patients for meds, treatments, 5 IV's with antibiotics every 4 hours, 2 fresh trachs, 3 central lines for TPN, 2 people at life's end from AIDS AND I had to do my own MDSs. She said "You did that and got out on time?" Yes I did I told her. "Then you must be a better nurse than I am and besides it was probably 20 years ago." I was speechless. I wanted to tell her I AM a better nurse than she is and it wasn't that long ago. Instead I told her if she was going to speak to me in that tone of voice, she could leave the office. She slammed the door on the way out. I am at my wit's end on how to deal with these totally unreasonable fresh nurses. Any advice?
Nope, not a DON. But very interested in all aspects of this field. Usually the employee that has administration's back because I educate myself about the rules and regs. I just thought maybe my perspective could be helpful in understanding the employees reaction. Really not trying to offend.
For one thing, this thread is listed under the "LTC DON & ADON", meaning those of us DON/ADON's that would like to discuss issues with other DON/ADON's that have knowledge of the same things we go through on a daily basis are able to. It seems like the majority of the responders to this particular thread are not DON/ADON's.
I do not think there are rules under the TOS that prohibit anyone from posting on any forum. I have seen DONs post on the LPN forum when applicable, or the student nurse forum or any of the many other forums. Lets not try to discourage a free exchange of ideas, by implying this forum is limited to DONs or ADONs. I do not EVER recall an LPN asking a DON not to post on the LPN forums.
Now how did I know that the first negative response to my comment would be the person above me?
The original question was posted for advice from other DON/ADON's and most of the criticism towards CCM has been by others not in those jobs. I did not say others couldn't post, just that not everyone understands all the rules, regs and laws we have to abide with on a daily basis.
I would like to believe that we are all here to help each other in achieving better workplace conditions for our staff and residents. At least that is why I come on here. Let's all be more supportive and aware of how we answer a post so as not to offend someone needlessly.
Now how did I know that the first negative response to my comment would be the person above me?
The original question was posted for advice from other DON/ADON's and most of the criticism towards CCM has been by others not in those jobs. I did not say others couldn't post, just that not everyone understands all the rules, regs and laws we have to abide with on a daily basis.
I would like to believe that we are all here to help each other in achieving better workplace conditions for our staff and residents. At least that is why I come on here. Let's all be more supportive and aware of how we answer a post so as not to offend someone needlessly.
What you think of me personally does not mean anything in the scope of this thread. Yes, LETS be more supportive .Perhaps you should take your own advice.
Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.
noc4senuf said:
Hey everyone, slow down here. For one thing, this thread is listed under the "LTC DON & ADON", meaning those of us DON/ADON's that would like to discuss issues with other DON/ADON's that have knowledge of the same things we go through on a daily basis are able to. It seems like the majority of the responders to this particular thread are not DON/ADON's.
I would like to know how many of you know the state & federal laws that we are responsible for complying with when it comes to LTC, employment law, wage & hours, etc. This is what we deal with on a daily basis. CCM was asking for help.... not to be attacked and criticized. Her problem is the nurse is under "contract". That means this nurse can stand around and do pretty much nothing, barely squeaking by and CCM has her hands tied when it comes down to doing anything about it.
Personally I will keep my non-DON/ADON self out of this forum from now on. I did think that my post earlier on was well thought out and perhaps provided a different prospective, but I see now that it was not wanted.
Wow, I have been in LTC for 23 years in various capacities and would never speak to my DON or anyone I worked with like that. Lack of self respect for themselves, and others. I have been really blessed over the years with everyone I work with, and have not really had to deal with it, unless I was GIVEN THE PROBLEM.
I mean in one facility I worked for, I was assigned such employees to work with, helping them with their problems, working with them side by side, you name it. Within a short period of time they either became very valuable and team building employees or they left. Personally if they are that rude in public, I would'nt care to leave them with our geriatric patients alone.
I would suggest having her work with a strong minded nurse ( one that the staff respects and does'nt take any gruff), that may help. Otherwise you will be dealing with your write up procedures and she will go. Always better to keep your patients safe. Good Luck:redbeathe
Specializes in CNA,Home Health, LTAC, Unit Manager/ADON.
OK Newbie sticking in her 2 cents, Is this an ongoing problem/pattern of behavior with this nurse or a one time thing? Years ago when moving on to another job in my exit interview, my supervisor for whom I had a great deal of respect asked what can I do to be a better supervisor. My response you have one habit that really bugs the nurses. When someone is having a bad day and is overwhelmed and just needs to let off steam, you always hit them with "you think you have it bad so and so has to do this and this." So if this isnt a pattern behavior with this particular nurse maybe she was just having a bad day and just needed to vent. If it's a pattern then yeah write her up. If it is a one time thing my response would have been what can I do to help you. Especially in LTC good nurses are hard to come by because it is very hard work with little thanks, and if I have to stay an extra hour to get my work done because I was out on the floor helping out a good nurse who was just having a bad day well that's part of my job.
I have been an nurse for only a year and a half - definitely what most people would consider a 'fresh' nurse. I have worked only in LTC.
I agree that I would never 'yell' at my boss - it's unproffesional.I would also like to think that we all know the difference between venting and yelling.
However, I have been most definitely yelled at by my CNA's several times so clearly this is not the case - some people just don't understand how to be professional and I haven't seen any one particular age group that was better or worse.
I wasn't a very good supervisor when I started, but I did learn quickly that a nurse who will do a bedcheck herself gets more respect from her aides and has more respect for her aides - that work is hard as heck.
Also, most often when a nurse tells her supervisor that they'd like to see them do there job - they mean it. I would think much higher of my supervisor if I saw them come in when we're short.
In my first 6 months as an LPN I would take the keys to extra halls because my bosses made me feel like I had to so they wouldn't have to come in. I learned eventually that there is a limit to what one person can do.
However, if you work in LTC you have to accept that the facilities will ALWAYS be short on staff. When I am so stressed, angry, and overworked at work that I absolutely HATE my job then I leave. And in some cases you might be doing a very disgruntled employee a favor my terminating their employment. There's also the possiblity that your facility is simply not supplying there staff with the bare minimums needed to succeed. Ever LTC nurse learns to work with what they've got - but there IS a limit...
LTC is not for everyone and there has to be give and take between bosses and there staff.
I'm sad to say but society as a whole has become more rude than I could ever imagine. That is really mild compared to my facility. It seems younger people now think that the world owes them something, and that they don't have to earn it. I would have also reminded her back in "the day" we didn't have the luxury of computers. Seems computers makes everything faster. I wish I had a solution.
YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN- There is no solution- just have patience u will probably outlive them anyway- it doesn't pay to let it get to you, Stay cool:coollook:
Specializes in long term care, hospice, & correctional.
I have to say, I've been in a leadership role for most of my nursing career. That's not to say that I haven't done my fair share of the work, though. I've done a lot of work in hospice, long term care, home health, and now corrections. But, it seems the attitudes are getting worse and worse.
Until recently, I was the charge nurse in our infirmary. Everything ran great. And the nurses were never rude to me when I asked them to do something. But, it seems like now that I'm the DON, they expect me to fix everything for them. No one wants to help anyone else. The other day I asked one of my pharmacy nurses to check on something for me (it would have probably taken her 2 minutes to do it) and her response was, "Why can't Ms. ... do it?" I'm so tired of this! And these are not new nurses doing this. They have more help now than they've had in the last 2 years, but they complain that they have to much to do and not enough time to do it. But, yet, they still have time to take their breaks. And they don't just complain about their own job, they complain about the jobs other people have and why they can't come help them! Like they don't have anything else they need to get done! It seems like they are all so scared they might do 1 thing more than someone else. I just can't believe these nurses.
And, they have only 1 job they want to do. The worst thing about it is that they all know how to pass out meds. But, can someone please let me know how to remind them that they learned this in nursing school??? They seem to have all forgotten.
If anyone can tell me how to deal with these "nurses" PLEASE let me know. I'm at my wits end.
withasmilelpn
582 Posts
Nope, not a DON. But very interested in all aspects of this field. Usually the employee that has administration's back because I educate myself about the rules and regs. I just thought maybe my perspective could be helpful in understanding the employees reaction. Really not trying to offend.