Pizza on tuesday

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Jun 19, 2008

after awhile after all that talking from the DON probably sounded like .blah blah blah... i loose attention after a half hour .... at least you got pizza out of the deal...

Batman24 · Jun 19, 2008

When she asked that I would have told her we want more nurses and an extra CNA or two even though that was clear from all your complaints. She was trying to break eveyone down and put it back on you again. I would now have all the nurses follow up in writing about this meeting and ask how the staffing issue would be addressed on her end. Throw it back on her.

tk3100 · Jun 19, 2008

Had a unit meeting last week. It ended up being a 3 HOUR complain-fest. The director opened it up saying we have had a lot of complaints from MD's, pts and families. She wanted to know from our point of view what the problems were and how they can be fixed. Everyone actually spoke up. Every single person said we have too many pts with too high an acuity. We are overwhelmed, the unit is a unorganized, not enough supplies...you name it, we said it.
After 2 hrs the director ended up getting a little defensive. She was going down the list of "problems" and wanted a "fix" for each problem and the answer from us each time was better staffing/ratios, as that is the main problem. She started saying she did not understand how we could not keep up and how she was in critical care (about 30 yrs ago) and her pts were much more critical. She was also saying stupid things like, "well, if you only have 4 pts and you have to call a rapid response or code on all 4 you will still be busy and overwhelmed, right?" I still don't get her point there. I guess it means she has found a way for lightening to strike us, too.
Anyway...at the end of the meeting, she smiles and says, "OK, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU GUYS WANT FROM ME???" :banghead:
Ummmm, hello??? Were you present the last 3 HOURS?? We all sat there with our mouths open, and then, sarcastically I said, "Yeah, pizza on tuesday." :chuckle
At least I got 3hrs OT and a free lunch... even though I'd rather be able to provide better care for my pts

Thick as a brick, isn't she. I've had managers like that.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 19, 2008

You know, I've always thought that "management" needs to ask the employees what drives them nuts on the job, what are the things that they really need, and then listen and fix those things!! I think job satisfaction would go way up.

Sometimes- often- it's the "little" things like consistently not having the meds or supplies you need, having to hunt for a thermometer or BP cuff, or being short a CNA or unit clerk, that drives people round the bend.

I understand that it may be really difficult to get enough nurses hired, oriented, and so forth. But does it really have to be that difficult to make sure that the IV tubing, 4x4's, gloves, thermometers, specimen cups, syringes, and medications that you use every single day are available and where you can find them- if that's a problem on your unit? How about hiring someone, at considerably less $$ than a nurse, to answer the phone, answer the call light, take the patient a blanket, and so forth?

I'm not in management, though, so maybe my "solutions" are too simplistic.

I'm not saying they don't need to hire more nurses, either, just that getting rid of some of the other smaller, time-consuming irritations might ease things in the meantime.

BradleyRN · Jun 22, 2008

The director opened it up saying we have had a lot of complaints from MD's, pts and families.

It doesnt sound like these problems will disappear. I dont know why your director wasted everybody's time. She probably knew what your point of view would be and that she cannot add more staff to the floor. Ridiculous! I like the idea of your entire floor of nurses putting in writing what you discussed and what you believe to be the solutions (more nurses plain and simple). Since the complaints will likely continue, at least you can have your side of the story in plain print. The question is, who is going to be the trouble maker to initiate such a document? If you dont have unions, then you dont want to appear to be a unionist.

Likely, this was your director's passive aggressive way of telling you all to do better the way things are. After all, she cant understand how you cant keep up. Her patients were much more critical than yours....Maybe suggest that she come work a day on the floor and show you how it's done.

I always find it so amazing how these desk jockeys are nurses too, and yet such good actors to pretend they dont understand why we want safer ratios. It's amazing how people are willing to sell off their values and ideals for a price. Get these so called "nurses" an Oscar i say!!! :twocents:

northshore08 · Jun 22, 2008

It is not 30 years ago any more. Get her butt out onto the floor for a shift. Then see which way the wind blows.

NursingAgainstdaOdds · Jun 22, 2008

Anyway...at the end of the meeting, she smiles and says, "OK, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU GUYS WANT FROM ME???" :banghead:

Gee, can't imagine why everybody's miserable. Maybe you should have responded "Uh, yeah ... could you maybe resign? We'll take our chances with a new candidate.".

NursingAgainstdaOdds · Jun 22, 2008

I also wanted to mention, I simply hate staff meetings, housewides, and so forth. A ton of time is spent outlining the ineffective, band-aid solutions to systemic problems which usually are based in staffing ratios and lack of resources. It makes me so crazy. "Well, if you guys could just score more 5s on your Pres-Ganeys, you'll get a bigger Christmas Bonus and patients and staff alike will be happier". The responsibility to improve the situation is always placed squarely on our shoulders, but we are given nothing to help us. The administrative response is always to blame staff, and never to actually listen to us.

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2008

Okay a couple of things jump out at me.

First, when anyone has a problem-they should always have a viable solution (or several) thought out for the presentation as the fix.

Second, usually when meetings like this involve the whole staff-nothing gets done. As occurred in your meeting-only negatives were discussed-managment has nothing to do but get defensive-no action.

Third, the meeting appears to be only negative.

I never bring complaints to management without an outlined solution. There's no point otherwise. The staff should be part of the solution so that there is a "buy in"-otherwise, the typical response is that management did what they wanted to anyway.

Right now, if I were you. Have someone or several someones start taking down objective numbers-# of patients, staff, acuity, codes and whatever else you think is important for one month. Prove your case-that's how real business runs. Then present your case either in writing or at the next meeting with several plans to change your situation. You may all think your manager has their hands on the purse string-BUT MAYBE NOT. The one thing I've noticed about nurse managers is how very little they have to say about their budget and staffing numbers. THAT'S NOT MANAGEMENT in my book! Perhaps by presenting a "real" proposal for change, even if it doesn't originate with the manager-her/his bosses will be able to ask for funding based on an objective, well though out project instead of perceived nurses whining.

Hope this helped.

JMO

Maisy

PS I was in management for years-believe me you get more done with facts and figures than you ever will with complaining.

BradleyRN · Jun 23, 2008

First, when anyone has a problem-they should always have a viable solution (or several) thought out for the presentation as the fix...I never bring complaints to management without an outlined solution...you get more done with facts and figures than you ever will with complaining.

There is no need for an outline because as DebRN stated, the solution to all the problems could be summed up in 4 words.....better nurse/patient ratios. You could scrawl that on a napkin.

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2008

There is no need for an outline because as DebRN stated, the solution to all the problems could be summed up in 4 words.....better nurse/patient ratios. You could scrawl that on a napkin.

You miss my point-as another poster mentioned it's just like being a parent with a whiny kid or a teenager with a screaming parent. People learn to tune you out. If you are going to offer a complaint, you'd better have a solution.

What never seems to occur to nurses is that their managers, are nurses too! Unless there is a management training program-they are definately not equipped to fight the corporate fight! What I suggested is how it's done in business-don't offer a problem without a solution and evidence to back it up.

Of course the obvious answer to most problems is staffing ratios-but the corporate office hears the wah wah wah-show them-that's something they can relate to. Perhaps the manager will be grateful...some may not know how to begin.

Nothing is ever as simple as four words.

Maisy