unfair treatment?

[Kayzee]

please I need some feedback. I just found out that I will be bumped to another floor due to a new LPN who was just hired. THis will occur when there are more than 2 sched. for that pm. She is a new grad. and I am an RN who has been there for 3 yrs. This is a L.T.C. facility. Am I wrong to think that this is unjust. Was told that I and 2 other RNs lack leadership? Believe this is because we get along well with CNA's. going to see DON . I feel that I have to stand up for my rights. Whats your opinion? They feel this nurse needs to stay on the same floor to get familiar, and this will be her perm. floor. I am a .8 and she is a .9 in hrs. I would like to remain there, but under the circumstances I just don't know. Feedback would be much appreciated.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Seems like with seniority you should have your 1st choice unless there is a performance issue that you won't need to deal with on this new floor. But with a general "lack leadership" it seems like if they have concerns now moving to another floor will not fix anything. Is there a reason why the new person cannot be placed on the other floor as a permanent home?

[nursegoodguy]

Poor Kayzee... I know exactly what you are going through!

What I'm going to say is not going to be popular but real in the world of LTC...

Do you not get along with your don?

They can find ways of messing with you if they decide they don't like you.

Is she new to the position or a friend of this new lpn? Sometimes they give preferential tx to new staff because they feel like they will be more loyal to them.

No you shouldn't have to leave your unit that you have worked on for 3 years but sometimes in LTC it's difficult to make the don do the right thing... (I can't tell you how many times I get moved for the convenience of new staff and yes I've complained that it is not right but it only makes my bp to up, it's the don who does it to me because I speak up.)

The problem that I've encountered in LTC is the DON can basically do whatever they want to you... Try dealing with her on a professional level first then if you are not happy with the outcome use your chain of command, just keep in mind once you go over her head she'll be out to get you in the future and you may end up having to switch jobs. This has been my experience in the past, (and you better take lots of lubricant with you when you go to talk with her, okay that part was a joke, sorry) One don got so mad at me when I went in to have a "meeting" with her and the first thing I did was to set the package of KY down on her desk and ask, "okay am I going to need this?" So 4 out of 5 times you end up getting %$^#@#$! No matter what is right or wrong!

You have to prepare yourself for the battle...

If their complaint is that you lack leadership then I would request they show me some tangible evidence regarding this matter.

Has there been an increase in family complaints, are the aids standing around doing nothing when they should be doing patient care, has there been an increase in skin breakdown, dehydration, weight loss etc... Has there been any patient care issues that they have come to you with? Have you been written up for not supervising your staff? Is it proper protocol in your facility to just move someone off their hall like this, (protocols... oh wait I forgot this is LTC we are talking about)

Tell them you strive to create a positive work environment to promote longevity in your staff which DOES have a direct impact on the care patients recieve physically and emotionally! It is also not a good thing for continuity of care or PR with the families to see a new face in your place!

Best of luck and let us know how it goes...