Finally a Nurse Manager That Does NOT Tolerate Nurses Eating Their Young

[OnlybyHisgraceRN]

It was a breath of fresh air when I interviewed for a RN internship and the NM told be she does not tolerate bullying or nurses eating their young.

My mouth almost dropped as she spoke those words, as I never seen a manager feel so strongly against it.

She went onto say that she have fired a few nurses who were bullies, even though they were very competent as nurses.

I wish more NM had this attitude. I just don't see why it is so hard to come in, do our job, and keep the peace. I don't come to work to make friends, however I also don't come expecting to have to constantly defend myself from immature, catty, coworkers on a daily basis.

Obviously, we have so many personalities in nursing and there are times when people are having a bad day. However, people need to think a few seconds before saying things out of their mouths. Not sure why this is so hard to do.

Seems like this NM gets it. Maybe if more managers hold nurses more accountable for their actions we will see less bullying in the work place.

[nursel56]

I have never tolerated it as a manager, but as you become a manager be careful that your enthusiasm isn't misinterpreted as aggression. It is very difficult to change the culture of a department and the only true way is by leading as an example so everyone WANTS to play in the sandbox nicely.

Word! :) So much better than the stick approach, because the stick is just so much easier than striving to be what we want to see in others. For the most part I've been very blessed with that type of manager, especially after some of the stuff I've read here! I've only had one job that had a sick pup - "yes girl" duo. Their mission was to destroy people. Truly awful.

It's a hard line to walk, being firm in your resolve and not being perceived as being a hard @$$. Yet still have good morale and a balanced budget.

Can we clone you?

OP - you probably picked something up about this person that showed integrity. It's very hard in an online forum to convey those intangibles - let us know if she walks the walk and good luck!

[tewdles, RN]

I am not certain that it is that difficult to seperate an employee guilty of lateral violence. As a manager you don't label the offense, you document the behaviors that are not meeting expectations in the department and document the steps/processes you followed to determine that discharge is required over retraining or other options.

Certainly if working in a unionized situation the process differs, but management still has authority to release professionals who do not meet behavioral expectations.