Feel like quitting

[tigress_8207, ASN, BSN]

Hi all just a quick post before work.My Boss is impossible to deal with.She always insults staff and finds the smallest and silliest things to quarrel about.All the staff are frustrated and some have even left.I feel like leaving too but i've signed a contract for three months so i can't leave till october.Like yesterday at bath time i went to assist another nurse with a pt who has repeated seizures and blacks out while in the shower.He wasn't having one but i went as a preventative measure.Anyway she comes in and really let me and the other nurse have it.I explained to her but she just kept on and on about what can i do if he has a seizure and what time do i expect to finish baths.I don't see 5mins having any significant impact on baths afterall i thought it was pt safety first.Another time i was reading to the pts at recreation time and she gets annoyed and tells me i can find something more important to do like folding the clothes in the laundry room.That is not part of my job although i wouldn't mind doing it if i have spare time as she has a maid for that.Then she says no nurses allowed in the kitchen unless the cook is unable to pass something but when lunch was being served at a really slow paste she quarelled with me and told me i should have used my initiative and gone in the kitchen and help pass the lunch.I feel like i'm in limbo.She says one thing today and another tomorrow.Another example is we have a pt 99yrs,mobilises with a walker he has gotten to the point now where his legs are getting weak and he often sits on the floor after taking a few steps.The staff use the wheelchair sometimes and she told me not to use the wheel chair as that would further immobilise him.I passed that on to the other nurses and got a cussing from her next day.Well then they went and used the chair and then she cussed them telling them not to use it.Well yesterday after staff refused to deal with him she gave the ok to use the chair.I don't know how much more i can take.Dread going in today.Thanks for reading my post.:angryfire

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

Your boss sounds as if she is having some mental health issues.

[spydercadet]

Hi Tigress 8207,

I feel so bad for you. After many years in Nursing I figured out that it doesn't make what company or facility, etc...you work for but rather it's the people you work with on a daily basis. It sounds like she makes many staff members lives miserable. Even after all these years and all my experiences, I will never understand miserable people who feel the need to make everyone around them miserable. There is a saying for the work place that fits your situation perfectly, "You make others look bad so you look good. Or you can make others look good then you'll look even better." The second part is right on the money, everyone knows the person who just can't seem to find anything good in others and will never take suggestions from you. I think they believe the world would actually stop spinning on it's axis if someone knows something they don't and God forbid if you have not been out of school or have less experience then them. If your license is "lower" than hers the true hate will just start spilling over. I have had many roles in my career and I can't figure why nurses feel so protective of what they know and will go to great lengths to prevent anyone from learning what they know. The only conclusion I could ever draw was that they want everyone around them to believe that they themselves are indispensable so no one will fire them.

I now teach and this is a whole idea of intimidating the students, yelling at them on the floor in front of others and setting the students up so they are so scared they're afraid to do anything. I personally learn when some one takes the time to explain the information. Medicare is notorious for crazy rules and regulations, but your boss sounds like she is dictating your behavior without any explanation.

Just do me and you a favor, keep a journal of all interactions between you and her. This type of boss has a high probability of rewording and reworking any that happens on the unit so you look like you can't tie your own shoes while making themselves look like they are smarter than Stephen Hawking. The best defense is a great offense. I would also think about going to your boss's boss because this personality type doesn't just do this to one person, rather they have a track record of making the people feel awful. So keep the journal and keep the information objective. Don't go for she was mad at me - that's to subjective, rather describe what actions occurred and exactly what was said. This way you can fight fire with fire.

I hope this helps and GOOD LUCK, my heart goes out to you.

[Zookeeper3]

ok, crazy idea, but you're thinking of quitting anyway. Ask for a meeting, meet with the lunatic; ask her what performance issues and goals she has for you. (you want to continue to progress and grow under her guidance, shhhh, just play stupid for a bit).

Then listen, then ask for specific examples of where she found problems with your performance (give you an insight into this crazy thinking)... trust me, this is good practice for later and you've nothing to loose.

Then, give her one or two scenerios as you've given us... I doubt you'll get more than two in... and explain, (BRIEFLY) why you chose what she wouldn't have, and ask her what to do in the future.

This is one... a test to see if she's really nuts, two, give you practice on problem resolution which is KEY, Three, lets this wing nut think, which is true that you DO want to succeed. Finally, this person wants their wayward opinions carried out and validated, this says that you want to learn from her.

Now this may seem like a bunch of crap, it partly is, but the key is that you are giving this supervisor validation, what she needs and lacks (must be new or very bad in the role), two, says you want to grow and value her ideas.

Next, she is off your back and you're best buddy if you want to stay. Doesn't fix the problem of her needing meds, therapy and what not, but will give you a great experience, a good laugh and time with her off your back to start looking and get a great reference.

Don't forget to tell her as you resign, how much of an impact she has made in your career.

:trout:

THAT my nursing friend, is WORKING the system. once you learn it, it's so easy to manipulate those that shouldn't be there to manipulate you.... give it right back baybe!

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

You're brilliant Zookeeper!!!!

[Dixielee, BSN, RN]

Don't forget to tell her as you resign, how much of an impact she has made in your career.

:trout:

THAT my nursing friend, is WORKING the system. once you learn it, it's so easy to manipulate those that shouldn't be there to manipulate you.... give it right back baybe!

You are absolutely correct! You have to learn to work the system before it kills you. I have resigned from places where I didn't think I could work one more day. But I have always worked out a notice and written a glowing resignation letter. By stating that "you have learned much", or how much "impact so and so had on your career", you are NOT lying. YOU have learned much from the horrible conditions and know you will never let yourself get sucked into them again! NOW, that is getting an education.

It is sad that so many nutcases have weaved their way thru the system and out of patient care only to inflict themselves on those of us who actually enjoy patient care.

Good luck, and your contract is almost over. You did mention she "cussed" you. Do you mean that literally? If so, there is a bigger problem, and you need to document every incident, but don't plan on making a difference, just survive it.

Also, what is the worst that can happen if you do not fulfill your contract? Slavery is illegal in most states now, I think!