Meeting Today...opinions?

Nurses General Nursing

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I had a meeting today with the unit mgr, the mgr of the paras (aides/hucs), and a para who had fingerpointed in my face and yelled at me, and then just in general hostile, ect. I have posted about this situation before.

The mgt had wanted us to 'air our grievances' so we could move on, and work together.

The NA totally twisted, misrepresented, and LIED...while I was just supposed to sit there and listen to that. When I interupted at one point to say 'NO...(as in that is totally not accurate), I was told to not interupt. I felt when I was speaking (which WAS the truth, and I would be the first to admit any shortcomings of my own, for sure, life is too short to LIE about things, I have no time for that), I was told that "this is the way I perceived things, and 'Sally' has hers, and that both are valid'...

I was also told, when I stated that I had difficulty for example, when the NA would randomely respond to, for example, a pt desatting, and tells me 'I'LL GET THIS', as we both are respondng to that, and I said I had wanted to evaluate that, I was told she can do that, esp if I have charting, I said I am ultimately responsible for that, I have me license, and I am responsible for anything tat happens. the mgr said she has heard that before, and it's ultimately HER license over the unit if anything happens, and that everyone works together, but that hardly anyone gets their license revoked, ect..And the aide then started in on, I have a piece of paper too that is my life, ect...I just said, I dont know, I am going by what they taught me in school... (the pt was a new admit, and refused his bipap, and I wanted to assess why he was desatting).

So they told me/us we had to work it out or "it just wont work".

I have an issue that certain behavior is tolerated, that I was not supported, and especially let down that I had to sit there and listen to this NA who twisted and manipulated, and that was seen as 'okay' because it was 'her truth' (there were no 'truths' according to them).

Now I appreciate the effort to 'work things out', but my belief is that it shouldn't be on lying/manipulating. I also have concerns about judgements/assessments on pts being done by an aide, though they think that's ok.

Instead of being glad we 'cleared the air' and can move forward, I for some reason again feel violated (because I wasnt trusted to tell the truth, which I did, and this other person lied and that was okay, and my hard work/integrity that I have is all for naught? That my license means little?) I feel like I have been let down by the mgt that I need to support me, and I don't know why...

Thanks for listening, can anyone help me on this?

BTW, I have applied for a new position elsewhere, and am pretty sure I have the position, but it is a less challenging unit, but probably healthier mgt-wise...and I had been reluctant to take it until this morning after the meeting, now I think I will...

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

don't you just love it when a supervisor is too gutless to make a stand and the CNA, who has SO MUCH education, is in charge of how the unit runs? Get out now.

Good call on taking another job. I would think that mgt would want a nurse who assesses pts and the fact that the nurse manager will lose her license doesn't protect yours.

You have done the right thing. You played their game all the way. That is what you have to do. You don't always win, but you went the distance and can prove that you attempted to resolve the situation.

Personally, I would write out what my position on the meeting, rebutting the lies that the aid told, and stating that I want the rebuttal to be placed in my personnel file. I wouldn't put anything in about the crappy manager, just the facts regarding the lies told and the scope of practice of an aide vs RN.

Then, take that other job.

Specializes in CVICU, Burns, Trauma, BMT, Infection control.
Good call on taking another job. I would think that mgt would want a nurse who assesses pts and the fact that the nurse manager will lose her license doesn't protect yours.

:yeahthat: Find another place that appreciates you and where you can practice your craft instead of playing silly games with those people. Yikes!

Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i am glad you are getting out of that flea bag place. that was just a stupid thing for them to do to have you and that CNA meet. that was stupid and non productive....

i am glad you are getting a new job. it sounds like a kangaroo court to me.... it's not worth the aggravtion .. go find somewhere that treats you like a human with feelings...

'her truth' (there were no 'truths' according to them).

Ahhhhhhh, but there ARE some "truths" with respect to nursing practice, delegation and licensure. Your manager is either unaware of those truths and requires education, or is choosing to ignore them to your detriment.

The nursing assistant is unlicensed. Period. End of Story. The proper delegation of pulse oximetry is YOUR responsibilty as a nurse, as well as the subsequent evaluation/supervision. Several circumstances may control whether the delegation was even proper in the first place. Just because a facility has a policy which permits nursing assistants to place an oximeter on a patient, for example, does NOT absolve you of responsibilty if it is later determined that you should have known that particular patient was too unstable to safely delegate that task. You are also responsible for knowing the nursing assistant's level of training/competency for any delegated task. And you are responsible for making sure the delegated task was performed correctly.

There have been cases where managers have been held responsible for poor staffing, improper delegation etc. but most commonly it is the direct care nurse who the facility will throw "under the bus" of the State Nursing Board when something goes wrong. But even if the manager receives some of the blame that will NOT absolve you.

My advice: You work for an idiot. You deserve better, take the other position if offered.

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