Handling chauvinistic male charge nurse

[pedicurn]

I work with a recently promoted male charge nurse who I would best describe as a clever 'men lead, women follow' type.

He is a second career type with a professional background ....smart and accomplished in areas outside of nursing.... but with only a couple of years of nursing experience.

He was acceptable as a junior staff nurse but loathsome to several of us who picked up upon his poor attitude. Leaving his messy bedspaces for his female coworkers to tidy was standard behaviour. Am quite upset this guy was promoted over-and-above several more experienced others with the same smarts and degree

This guy irritates me . Constant need to 'lead' me despite me having so much more experience and the same BScNursing degree....even as a staff nurse.

He has really stepped over the line a couple of times eg 'look at me when I am talking to you' .... LOL

However he usually knows how to stay within boundaries but at the same time be subtle with his expression of his perceived importance. He alters his body language to do this eg makes sure he is standing up and I'm sitting when he is telling me something.

Or he uses a slightly dismissive tone when I voice my opinion. Or he walks away immediately after saying his piece thus cutting out participation from anyone else.

He is subtle .... but he's clever with it.

He is an evangelical type and I suspect his beliefs are responsible for his offensive 'men lead and women follow' attitude.

But of course he knows he needs to keep religion out of the workplace. Because the moment he brings religion in, we will nail him.

I need to have several effective retorts up my sleeve that allow me to both maintain my self-respect and stay out of my managers office.

Any ideas ??

[kakamegamama]

It's a shame this situation takes up so much of the OP's thoughts/time, as well as that of others. I thought being at the bedside allowed little time for patient care? Sounds like this situation is taking up a lot of time that could be better put to use. As to him being an evangelical---so what? And, is it now illegal to practice one's religion in America? Why would him bringing his religion to the workplace be any worse than an atheist or agnostic or one who practices Islam or Judeism or not at all? Why not use time to get to know him. Does the OP really know that he was not qualified, etc to be promoted? And, so what if that were the case---as long as patient care doesn't suffer. Is it a matter perhaps that there is a bit of bias against male nurses? Just askin'....

Okay--I'm done ranting.

[Infinisynth]

You should just deal with it and do your job to the best of your ability. Something tells me you wouldn't have this problem if this were a female nurse.

[leslie :-D]

Is it a matter perhaps that there is a bit of bias against male nurses?

perhaps a bias against cocky and condescending nurses, who just happens to be male?

leslie

[Batman25]

Don't resort to the same game playing her does or the childish antics he has decided to adopt as a manager. When people resort to these behaviors you have to keep in mind this is about them and their insecurity not at all about you. He doesn't feel confident in himself in this position so he resorts to immature and inappropriate conduct because he doesn't know another way.

Stay mature and professional. If he offers you a seat and you don't feel comfortable sitting if he isn't say that you are comfortable standing as well. If you have a point to make and haven't been able to make it state that in a firm but polite way. Help to raise him up to your level versus him dragging you to his level.

[leslie :-D]

Something tells me you wouldn't have this problem if this were a female nurse.

are you serious?

honey, we experienced nurses will eat anyone...young, old, male, female, even green veggies if we're desperate enough.

that's what makes us tick.

Stay mature and professioanl.

i do agree with this.

and if that doesn't work, kick him in the knees.

leslie

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

It's a shame this situation takes up so much of the OP's thoughts/time, as well as that of others. I thought being at the bedside allowed little time for patient care? Sounds like this situation is taking up a lot of time that could be better put to use. As to him being an evangelical---so what? And, is it now illegal to practice one's religion in America? Why would him bringing his religion to the workplace be any worse than an atheist or agnostic or one who practices Islam or Judeism or not at all? Why not use time to get to know him. Does the OP really know that he was not qualified, etc to be promoted? And, so what if that were the case---as long as patient care doesn't suffer. Is it a matter perhaps that there is a bit of bias against male nurses? Just askin'....

Okay--I'm done ranting.

Just wish to say ...this actually doesn't take up a lot of time and energy.

He is less qualified as he only has two years experience. I have worked with this guy as a staff nurse .... he is capable of deciding what the safe approach is. And that's basically it. He lacks the experience, specialty graduate education and people skills to be a good leader.

And lastly ....this isn't about bias against male nurses.

It's about a situation that shouldn't have occurred in this day and age. The other female nurses have needed a lot more experience and more education to be in this role ....we have several of them and not one possesses only two years RN experience.

For this role ....usually 7+ years in the speciality

[Murse901, MSN, RN]

are you serious?

honey, we experienced nurses will eat anyone...young, old, male, female, even green veggies if we're desperate enough.

that's what makes us tick.

While Infinisynth's assertion was overstated, I'd be willing to bet that this thread would not exist if the nurse in question were female. It seems that the OP has more of a problem with the fact that this nurse is a male more than anything else, otherwise the "chauvinist male" bit would have been left out. As someone else pointed out, there are probably also some jealousy issues regarding being passed over for promotion.

We've all seen this behavior in just as many female supervisors as males. I don't think that gender or religion has anything to do with it. Some people just shouldn't be placed in positions of authority.

Having said that, I think it would be in OP's best interest to focus on self-improvement and being the best nurse that she can be instead of trying to play politics and backstabbing.

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

Why are you looking to play games? You can handle this in a professional manner, be forthright and direct. You don't need to acknowledge anyone who's demeaning to you. You confront him on inappropriate behavior and if he becomes antagonistic, you take it up the chain of command.

But by looking for "clever retorts" you are stooping to what you say is his level. That is neither professional nor desired. And in actuality, is reinforcing the stereotype of nurses being "catty". You don't know what criteria were used to hire him and honestly unless you yourself applied for the position, is it really any of your concern? For whatever reason, he's now the manager. You need to deal with it in a positive and professional manner.

As a side note, your comment about him being "evangelical" and contributing to his behavior is a biased and judgemental statement. What does that have to do with anything? As you stated, he's never brought his religious beliefs into the workplace, why are you bringing it up? That statement about "you guys nailing him" if he brought his religion into the workplace really shows an imature attitude and IMHO has no place in the workplace.

Yes the evangelical bit may be biased .... however it's an attitude which probably accounts for his less-than-lovely attitude toward us. At the moment he is thinking ' I'm the natural leader of you lot because I am a male and that's my religion'

I have several coworkers who have picked up on this poor attitude.

It becomes illegal to bring his religion into the workplace when he starts making actions relating to it. Or even just voicing his belief. Should this happen, then he is in trouble.

The moment he says "I'm your leader because that's the natural order because I am a male' ... he will get nailed. This is would be highly inappropriate behaviour and will get him into trouble.

(however he is much too smart to actually do this)

[Batman25]

You should just deal with it and do your job to the best of your ability. Something tells me you wouldn't have this problem if this were a female nurse.

Female nurses and management can be just as unprofessional, immature, cocky, and inappropriate. This type of behavior isn't reserved for one sex or the other. It has more to do with the person involved than the genitals they possess.

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

From what you've described he's authoritative, decisive, charismatic, knowledgeable, and concise. All good qualities in a manager.

You've also said that he's short, dismissive, non-engaging, and heavy handed. All bad qualities in a manager.

One thing I would do is try to put an end to any rivalry and bickering between you two. Try to deescalate the situation instead of escalating it, which I'm sure as a nurse you have a lot of experience doing.

There isn't any bickering nor any rivalry.

I am keeping my mouth shut and trying to deal with this situation .... keeping myself out of trouble and trying to provide my patients with the best care.

And no .. he is not charismatic nor knowledgeable. He is plenty authoritative/decisive/concise though

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

Don't play games. Go on about your business.

Sounds like somebody is jealous and upset they were passed over for the position.

Why are you assuming I was passed over? I didn't even apply.

Have you even read my posts??

I am annoyed because gender has likely played a role in promotion.

We are in 2010 ... not 1955

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

You should just deal with it and do your job to the best of your ability. Something tells me you wouldn't have this problem if this were a female nurse.

um no ... have you read my posts?

We have several charge nurse where I work. They are all female except this one.

All the female ones have many years experience in the specialty (and before promotion), graduate education and refined leadership skills. Some of them have prior degrees and experience ... which didn't count.

The new male one has a prior degree, professional experience doing something else ...and a tiny amount of nursing experience