Fear of nursing politics

[NEW] Finish the Toon Caption Contest! Win $100.

by Sleepyeyes
Jul 22, '02   Views: 1,840   Comments: 10

  1. How many of you fear losing your jobs if you talk openly about nursing issues?
  2. Visit Sleepyeyes profile page

    About Sleepyeyes

    Joined: Dec '01; Posts: 3,165; Likes: 59

    10 Comments

    Topic Closed
  3. by Sleepyeyes
    Jul 22, '02
    Joined: Dec '01; Posts: 3,165; Likes: 59
    Whoopsie, don't know what happened, but I hit the post a poll button and didnt get the selection page??

    Anyhow: Choices were:
    I do
    I don't
    Depends on the issue, certain things ARE taboo around here
    I don't really care, I retire in a month
  4. by adrienurse
    Jul 22, '02
    Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 4,738; Likes: 104
    It's important to be careful who you tell what to. I have been burned before because I told the wrong person that the stress was getting to me. It actually ended up in an evaluation. Also, sometimes it makes me feel worse to tell my problems to people at work. They are usually feeling as hopeless as I am. A fresh ear is a good thing.
  5. by live4today
    Jul 22, '02
    Joined: Sep '01; Posts: 16,606; Likes: 680
    my most popular response to your question would be "i dont' give a rats azztack if i'm fired for stating facts, as i do not give way to rumors floating around the house, nor do i spread any. i have always been the type of character who speaks her mind openly, freely, boldly, and truthfully.....no bullcrappin' around goes on inside this mind, heart, or spirit. truth is my greatest weapon....no matter what!

    that said......whenever i had any drama to relay regarding nursing issues that stunk like a skunk, i don't believe in telling those issues to the "downline" but i always go "upline" to a source that has power to make change. gossip is a when i work, so i do not allow others to come to me with gossip. i'll stop a person dead in their tracks, and say "if you haven't told the upline, don't tell the downline.

    and.....my favorite quote to deal with issues like this is as follows:

    it is better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you are not." -- andre gide
    Last edit by live4today on Aug 26, '02
  6. by LasVegasRN
    Jul 22, '02
    Occupation: RN Case Manager Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 4,945; Likes: 27
    Some companies definitely penalize for not "maintaining a positive attitude". Those are strictly bottom dollar companies who want and look for "yes" men only.
  7. by biscuit_007
    Jul 22, '02
    Occupation: PICU Staff Nurse Joined: Feb '02; Posts: 121
    In today's world I have no fear at all about losing my job. I can be fired at 9 am and working in a better job by the 3 pm shift.
  8. by teeituptom
    Aug 16, '02
    Occupation: ER RN Specialty: ER,ICU,L&D,OR,ETC ; Joined: May '01; Posts: 5,588; Likes: 566
    Howdy yall
    from deep in the heart of texas

    We have freedom of speech in this country. Doesnt mean you can call you administrator an ******* and expect to get away with it. maybe try rectal orifice
  9. by BBnurse34
    Aug 25, '02
    Occupation: Level II Nursery RN Joined: Aug '01; Posts: 265; Likes: 3
    I get a bit nervous discussing unionizing. But, I have heard that being vocal, in regards to the union, offers protection.
  10. by DelGR
    Aug 25, '02
    Occupation: RN/Risk Management Joined: May '02; Posts: 130; Likes: 2
    I think that people being afraid to speak up is more detrimental to the nursing profession and the facility than not speaking up. Even if you don't belong to a union, there is still a basic set of work place standards that the facility has to adhere to and some of these are the same "nursing issues" that other facilities have.
    If you discuss nursing issues, like what, patient/staff safety; would you be in trouble? JCAHO and OSHA and other regulatory bodies would be interested in these "nursing issues" I'm sure.
  11. by fergus51
    Aug 25, '02
    Joined: Jul '00; Posts: 11,351; Likes: 387
    Not at all. One of the benes of the union up here. I have been very outspoken, especially during the last round of contract negotiations and gov't cuts. Many nurses in town write letters to the editor, call in to radio shows, participate in demonstrations, and have done interviews for the news. Not to mention how outspoken I am with the idiot who is in charge of nursing in the facility.
  12. by Brownms46
    Aug 25, '02
    Occupation: Enterprise Application Systems Analyst Specialty: 27 year(s) of experience in Everything except surgery ; Joined: Mar '01; Posts: 5,601; Likes: 174
    I work agency...so I don't get into hospital politics! I do express my thoughts when asked about a certain problem...but how they deal with it...is their business.

close