Favoritism in nursing?

VictoriaGayle · Sep 10, 2012

Well one time an aid violated HIPAA. Our admin always ranted about how she would fire anyone who did that. But this aid only got suspended for two days.

Everyone though this was kind of weird. A few months later her husband posted a picture to fb of the admin making out with this aid at the bar.

Classy.

kellycinalli · Sep 10, 2012

So I'm hoping that sabotaged her career! What goes on in some ppl minds. I'll never understand!

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HollywoodDiva · Sep 10, 2012

Favoritism is present everywhere you go...it seems to be the norm. Being the traveler I always see it since I'm the outsider and you can either call them out on their behavior and suffer the consequences or choose to ignore it and go about your business. In life and at work we pick our battles.

Alibaba · Sep 10, 2012

Oh yeah...favoritisim, nepotism and all isms you can think of exist in nursing. I once worked in a nursing home where the Admin was sisters with the DON, sister in law with the MDS coordinator, ADON and Admin Assitant were brother and sister to the DON's hubby, the admissions nurse was cousin or sister in law, Staffing coordinator was the daughter of the MDS, both secretaries were the daughters of one of the unit managers, who was sister to one of the other people, the business office lady was another sister of the ADON.

It was crazy!! I mean the whole place was a family reunion. Woe unto anyone that complained about an employee to anyone. You never knew if you were talking to that employee's mom/sister/cousin/in-law.

Of course the family got all the good shifts, never got reprimanded and got the prime vacation days off while us the other peons were left to suffer in silence.

Of course this was in the south and even after I left that place, I realized most other places in the area were pretty similar in hiring practices so I could just hang in one place and shut up, or move to a different geographical area.

I am not sure how there doesn't pop up a conflict of interest.

Good luck!!

kellycinalli · Sep 10, 2012

Yea where I work it's pretty much the same. And were such a big corporation that u would think they wouldn't allow this. To tell u something I am far from an ass kisser. We have a saying, " do our 8 and skate"! Not saying we don't do r job to the fullest but not be involved in the drama and no overtime when asked!

It's a real shame too cause it used to be a nice place to work. Now it's all politics and bullying. I was bullied last night about ordering nystatin for everyone and don't do it again. Well it was done by the wound team with their weekly sweeps. The nerve of her. I just said in a cocky voice, it wasn't me and if u don't like it take it up with the wound staff! Wasn't in the mood to argue! This is another of the don prodigies.

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CapeCodMermaid, RN · Sep 10, 2012

I am the DNS and will not tolerate favoritism in my department. I don't care to whom you are related. Come to work...do your job...or go work somewhere else.

I turned down a job once because the Administrator was the ADON's father, the head of housekeeping was their sister, the maintenance man was a cousin.....yikes.

Kathiegolden · Sep 10, 2012

It is very frustrating to deal with some of these issues. One of the best ways to deal with this is to out shine and do as you are capable of, sooner or later the adm. will change and things will be noticed.

Kathiegolden · Sep 10, 2012

In a small town I was told there are NO conflicts of interest. All my family is the best, so like it or leave.

LPNnowRNhopefull · Sep 10, 2012

Kelly, Sadly I have observed such behavior. When a person is in such good "favor" with upper management, it is almost instantly a lose/lose proposition for the patients/staff/facility. In my 10+ years at the same long term care/rehab facility - it is my experience that these things usually work themselves out and the said people tend to move on.

In the meantime - you have to sort of accept that sometimes people can abuse their position and you should pray. Although this situation can make for a hostile working environment, staff should employ every opportunity to support each other - regardless of how the team came together.

Nursing is not a job that any one person can do alone.

I feel your pain.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2012

As this occurs in virtually all professions, I don't see why you are singling nursing out.

VictoriaGayle · Sep 10, 2012

I am the DNS and will not tolerate favoritism in my department. I don't care to whom you are related. Come to work...do your job...or go work somewhere else.
I turned down a job once because the Administrator was the ADON's father, the head of housekeeping was their sister, the maintenance man was a cousin.....yikes.

I agree.

As far as family members, relatives of employees could be hired at my facility so long as they weren't supervising each other. So two aids could be sisters, but if the supervisor of the aids had a sister she couldn't be an aid. My mom was the DON when I started working as an aid, and they said it was ok since the ADON was my supervisor.

We made it clear from the get go that I was not going to seek special treatment and she wasn't going to give me any special treatment. I always went to my supervisor, not her. One time when my supervisor wasn't there and I was sick and forced to stay over (the other aids punched out and disapeared before anyone had be mandated), the nurses tried to get her to give me permision to leave, and she said she couldn't do that as it would be a conflict of interest, and I agreed.

Its sad how some people can be so unprofesional. I doubt it is good for their careers in the long run.