Background: I am a fairly new RN who has been working LTC for about a year. We have been in need of a unit manager for close to the entire time I have been there. I figured being so new it was out of reach, and I wanted to cut my teeth on the floor as much as possible.
A few weeks ago the DON approached me and encouraged me to apply for the unit manager position. I applied, interviewed, and waited. Week or so later I was informed that the higher ups wanted me to get more experience on the floor. I really couldn't argue with that. Then I found out the UM they did hire is a new grad...but with a BSN (I have an ASN). I felt some sour grapes but in this economy was happy to have a job period.
Few days ago the DON calls me up and with a few other managers in attendance tells me that if I was willing to wear dentures I would be promoted to Unit Manager....I thought at first they were joking and this was just a creative way to offer me the position after all..
They weren't joking.
I asked them was the only reason I was denied a promotion was because I didnt wear dentures and they spoke in the affirmative.
Now, I don't have teeth, and unless I told you, you would never know. My face hasn't fallen in on itself, my speech is perfectly clear, and I don't tend to give "toothy" smiles.
I own dentures, but never took to them. I lisp when I wear them, grimace a lot, and drinking anything hot really is a pain with them in.
So, I took the promotion but feel a little let down by my company that "teeth" are a pre-req for management. I know all about "professional" appearances and all...I keep my hair short, press and starch my scrub creases (Former Marine), cover my tattoos (again, former Marine) with a long sleeve scrub jacket, and try to keep compose myself as a medical professional.
Maybe I am making too much out of this but makes me wonder what else could have been asked...I have streaks of grey and white in my hair...hair dye?, I wear reading glasses sometimes..contacts?...I wear my laugh lines and crows feet proudly...botox?..I'm overweight...bariatric surgery?
I just have to ask - how on earth would they even know the status of your foreskin? Teeth - pretty visible. member - normally not so much.
Sarcasm sweetheart, but these days you never know, for whatever reason people these days want to show everyone parts of them they shouldn't be seeing, internal parts as well as external parts.
Fairly sure I saw a question about the status of foreskin on a questionnaire for a physical for my job. Funny thing is the questions were "manditory" and became part of my employee file. I seriously felt violated. They made it clear that if they found out that I lied about any of the prying questions I would lose my job too.
Fairly sure I saw a question about the status of foreskin on a questionnaire for a physical for my job. Funny thing is the questions were "manditory" and became part of my employee file. I seriously felt violated. They made it clear that if they found out that I lied about any of the prying questions I would lose my job too.
I think if I had a foreskin () and that were asked of me, I would have taken said foreskin right out the door. That's right up there on the list of "Nunya"* with hymen integrity, unseen piercings (VERY unseen piercings), who or what shares my bed, and if I voted for a specific party. (by the way, my dog sleeps next to me ). Even on a physical, what business is it of theirs, unless it's so prominent it interferes with your ability to work (in which case, you'd have a lot more to deal with than nosey employers ). jmo
* Nunya (for those who don't know) = nun ya bidnez
It took my husband about 6 months to get used to his dentures. Due to the gums reforming, healing and what not. And he had to get them resized/lined several times. And they hurt his mouth, made if funny to talk etc... I remember him talking and them slipping down and him having a fit. But I said "Get some adhesive and call the dentist" Well, now he's graduated to the super expensive, awesome, uber dentures, and he doesn't need adhesive. Oh and he will actually smile now and show his teeth.
Like others have said, get back to the dentist and see what they can do.
I respectfully agree w/ the poster who said you may not think it's noticable but maybe it is.
I know someone who also had the same issue and while you couldn't tell in normal brief contact if you sat and had a meal with her you knew or if she decided to chew gum etc.
I have a partial, have for years. No one knows that I'm aware of unless I tell them but after eating a meal with my friend I sat down and chewed gum, and chewed food in front of a mirror. My partial makes it pretty unnoticable...but none...well it's pretty noticable when your eating.
I won't speak for Leslie, but I gave kudos to her comment because I found your follow-up distasteful for it's unprofessionalism. You should not have taken the position if you cannot meet their honest request with a happy heart. You clearly resent your own good fortune, which is odd, to say the least.
I suspect you will not be long in this new position, but I do wish you luck.
I disagree. I'm picturing our fellow poster. 41 year old male, former Marine, toothless, working in long term care, sick sense of humor. I bet he can ACTUALLY rally a team like no other. lol There's something to be said for "teamwork" and there's something to be said for making your team work. My biggest fear going in to LTC was managing a team. My aids. I thought long and hard about how I'd like to be treated. I'd guess Grampa Gums does the same thing. And his aid that ran away actually did so as part of the humorous exchange. Seriously? You've met an LTC aid afraid of dentures? lmao
I feel the same way. Once I was offered the Chief Executive Officer position in a Fortune 500 company but I had to refuse it. It was a great job, but here's the kicker, they wanted to force me to get a circumcision. I told them I was not able to do it, my foreskin and I have a great relationship. Best of luck to you and your gums.
Murses might be my favorite creatures on Earth! lol You are cracking me up!!!
) and that were asked of me, I would have taken said foreskin right out the door. 
That's right up there on the list of "Nunya"* with hymen integrity, unseen piercings (VERY unseen piercings), who or what shares my bed, and if I voted for a specific party. (by the way, my dog sleeps next to me 
). jmo
brandy1017, ASN, RN
2,910 Posts
Wow that is a wonderful manager that would pay for her to have dentures!